Source For Good Dust Masks

[Dwight]

Mine Safety Appliance, which made simple, light dustmasks has discontinued their wonderful Dustfoe line, which used to go for $25, including five filters.

The distributor tells me the masks were too good and too cheap, so that they competed with MSA's more expensive equipment. The reps didnt even push them.

Does anyone know of light masks that are easy on and off and that work well?

Thanks,

Dwight

[m Ransley]

3M at hardware stores

[andynewhouse]

Moldex brand N95 masks (i.e.

and also frequently available on eBay) are supposed to be good, but they don't fit me very well. The most comfortable disposable masks for me (of the 3-4 types I've tried) are MXV brand - see Rockler or Amazon. I recently got a real respirator for woodworking when I do any sanding or cutting - 3M 7500 series with replaceable cartridges. It does noticeably increase breathing resistance, but if you have good lungs, this type of respirator lets you keep them good. It is fairly easy to take off (stays fastened around your neck and just flips down), which is good because it really doesn't let you talk normally with it on. It has a silicone face piece that is comfortable and does seal well around my small goatee. With the lighter pancake filters (not the boxy cartridges) it's not too heavy, but it is of course far heavier than a paper mask. Hope this helps, Andy

[Dwight]

Thanks very much. I will look at the 7500.

[Bill]

There are different "levels" of masks which are rated to filter out certain "particles" in the air. These ratings will say; N95, N99, N100, P95, P99, P100, etc.

The higher the number, the more stuff the mask will filter out. The cheap masks sold at hardware stores do not have a rating and I would not use them for anything.

Then there are masks which filter out both particles and chemicals or vapors. These masks have screw on cartridges. And you can get specific cartridges for specific chemicals or a more expensive cartridge which filters out the majority of chemicals. You can get these from safety equipment stores. Here are some links...

Selection Guide...

Respirators... Safety Equipment...