Official Luthiers Forum!

I have a respirator for spraying and such, are there specific comfortable general dust makes you like for every day sanding and such? Just at the typical Lowe’s / HD box of 100?
The reason I ask is I’ve had sinus issues a WHILE now. I’m a singer and haven’t been able to really “go for it” since! Loosing my voice means loosing my money.
I thought about things and it all started when I began a wenge build. I think I even did a post here about it.
So.... dust mask it is.



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1: Get the pink P-100 filters for your respirator.
2: Shower after working with wood that bothers you.
3: Neti Pot to wash out your sinuses.

If all else fails, quit building. There are other hobbies out there.

Steve

Throw away the typical box of 100 (they are useless) and get the pink P-100's like Steven said. Also get an air scrubber type such as the Jet...

https://www.amazon.com/708620B-AFS-1000 ... B00004R9LO

Sand outside.

I use the dust mask that has the exhale valve. They are not cheap and do a good job for me. Any time I have a sanding device in my hand, I have on a dust mask.

I really like my reusable Elipse P100 dust mask. Extremely comfortable and unobtrusive. They also have Organic vapor cartridges for it.
https://www.safetycompany.com/respirators/reusable-respirators/gvs-spr451-elipse-respirator-with-p100-filters/

Paper masks are basically useless.

I use a 3M mask with organic vapor cartridges. Quite light and comfortable.

Unless you get HEPA filters, the Jet type airfilters really only blow the small dangerous bits around and keep them in the air. They only go down to one micron. It's the submicron stuff that hurts you. You can get MERV 16 filters for them from Wynn Environmental, in which case it becomes a super HEPA. Failing that, you're better of with a Home Depot Honeywell HEPA filter. Or get the Jet and the Honeywell and your bases are covered. And still use a mask.

Look hard at dust control.

I have had allergies all my life and wood dust is the worst. I got incredible relief when I started the sinus rinse with the neti pot. And a dust mask, but I think the pot helps more at least for me.

A friend recommended this to me: https://rzmask.com/?afmc=7e
I got one and like it.

Also, if I'm sanding, I typically have 3 to 5 box fans going covered with HVAC filters to scrub the air.

(I told my kids I like to be surrounded by my fans...)

Follow Steve's advice.

I too am sensitive to wood dust ("tree" was on the list when tested for allergies). I use a 3M respirator with the pink P-100 filters and change them often. I also have air filters - shop made extensions for a couple of 20" box fans to accommodate a 1" pre-filter and 5" HEPA filter and have at least one running when creating dust. I will leave them running after I leave the workshop to clean up whatever is hanging in the air.

Make sure when you're not wearing the respirator it's kept where dust can't settle inside the mask. For really bad stuff, wear goggles. The stuff can inflame your eyes, too. When leaving the shop for a break, I wash my hands and splash water on my face to reduce the chance of dust making it into the lungs.

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Julie Moriarty
http://JulimorCreations.com

In addition to all of the above fine suggestions, two more:

1. When working with a type of wood that you know gives you problems, and you have a choice between a method that makes chips or shavings, and one that generates dust, choose the method that makes chips or shavings.

2. Get more aggressive about dust capture right at the source. I use a Clear Vue dust collector, and it is darn aggressive. I have not yet built a downdraft table, but that is next on my list. While I have been pretty good about dust capture when using machines, I need to get better about it when hand sanding.

If your power sanding try out the Festool products as well. They are really nice. Once you use one you will ask yourself why I waited so long.

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https://www.instagram.com/fostinoguitars/
https://www.facebook.com/PuraVidaUkuleles/

Agree whole heartedly, as long as you have the Festool DC, too. I have five sanders now and the CT 26. They have been a godsend.

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Julie Moriarty
http://JulimorCreations.com

I have a Fein vac w/Cleanstream reusable HEPA cartridge. Festool sanders work just as well with it also and no bags to buy.

I think it would be well worth the cost to invest in a Dust Helmet. Dust mask and respirators don't really do the job. You want dust free eye protection as well as clean air to breath.

I am in the market for one also

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Great suggestions. I'll add one more. Vacuum up your shop regularly. I vacuum my shop completely at least once a week, floors, work benches, all horizontal surfaces and machinery. Every time you walk around or move stuff on the bench all that dust gets kicked back up in to the air. I bought the workshop cleaning kit for my Festool dust collector and it was the best investment I have made for my shop. I hear of people using compressed air to blow out their shop which I think is a terrible idea because all the dust just gets circulated back in the air, very little of it getting caught by the filters.

just received my new RZ dust mask and like it a lot. It's the first dust mask or respirator that doesn't fog my glasses. A big thank you to Billm!