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The most common topic request for Safety Week was dust and respirators. So here’s a quick review of the dust and fumes that can make our lives miserable in the shop, and why we need respirators for pro-active protection. And below you will find a links to the exact respirator setup I like to use: the 3m 7500 Series.
The link below is for large, but you can select a different size here: Small, Medium, Large. And don’t forget the upgraded pink filters and the special adapter.
82 Responses to “87 – Dust In Time”
Thank you for not naming this episode “Dust in the Wind”
Great information Marc. I know I’ve learn all that stuff at work years ago, but have forgotten it or never thought to apply it to what I do at home. I have to admit, I don’t use dust control nearly ass often as I should. Thanks a lot, very good reference material.
The manual covers a fit test that you can do at home. If you cover the intake ports and inhale slightly the mask should pull in and not leak. If you cover the exhaust and exhale slightly it should inflate a bit and not leak.
It is not as good as using the fit tester but it is better than assuming it fits.
I have a delta 2 stage dust collector and a 20′ long 6″ hose from Rockler (the new one expandable one with the grounding wire built in.
When I stick this sucker in my 10″ Powermatic cabinet saw I start getting little shocks. How can I stop this as I feel I am going to start a fire at the most and at the least its annoying to keep getting shocked.
Thanks!
Hey Marc,
You made a good point about proper fit and facial hair. I have to occasionally wear a respirator as part of my job. The NIOSH fit test is very rigorous, and if you have a five o’clock shadow, you will fail. It doesn’t matter if you can pass the hand over the intake suction test, the NIOSH leak detector is more sensitive.
The point is, if you have a beard, or a heavy afternoon growth, you are not protected by an air purifying respirator. What you need is a PAPR, or Powered Air Purifying Respirator, like the Trend Airshield, or the 3M BreathEasy.
Tom
Neil took the words out of my mouth. I do the same test fit everytime I put it on to make sure I am sealed. I have this same respirator and have been using it for over 3 years. I can attest to the comfort, I often wear it for hours on end and it fits comfortably underneath a lathe face shield.
WHAT?! YOUR FACE BALD! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SOUL PATCH!
facial hair aside, great video, I definitely have to get that respirator, I have had days where I could feel the sawdust in my lungs! Not a great feeling, and it can’t be healthy.
haha, I shave the other day for the coping video so its just now growing back.
Hi Marc,
I’ve been following you since your first post a couple of years ago and I have to admit that you still surprised me with this one, really great content for the topic.
I do have one question. What is the microns rating for the respirators or are they so fine grained that it does not matter?
Hey Jorge. Most of the particulate filters go down to 0.3 microns. Plenty of filtration for woodworkers.
Marc, another great post. I purchased my first respirator this morning. Just trying to follow your lead in safety. Now, I watched the video tonight and I’ll upgrade my filters ASAP.
Thanks.
I have a question, my initial inclination would be no, but I’m going to ask anyway.
Does the filter have any noticeable resistance to breathing, I was thinking that choking down the space that the air has to penetrate might offer some resistance, I imagine it may become more noticeable as it clogs. I don’t imagine that it would be hard to breath with it on per say, but almost like on a delay if you get what I mean?
I have worn my respirator all day on certain occasions and have never really had any problems. So I don’t notice much breathing resistance. It is there……but very slight.
Hi Marc!
Thanks for this video.
I just would like to share my little experience about the dust masks (the white ones).
A few years ago, I did some work in my house and uses these white dusts masks while cutting red bricks with a grinder.
First I bought “cheap” ones available in big hardware stores.
I noticed that at the end of the day, I had red dust outside but inside the mask too!
I had the opportunity to buy a box of several ones in a professional hardware store.
After a day using them, I had red dust outside, but still pure white inside!
Okay, this does not mean that it filtered all the dangerous fine dust but I can tell, there is dust masks and dust masks.
My 2 cents.
Marc -
Great video on dust masks. Liked it so much, I ordered the exact set-up from amazon yesterday. The adapter cover was hard to find. Hope it all goes together.
Are you saying that if I am only in a dust environment, I can get by with just the mask and the pink pads?
Yes, that’s correct. When you have the pink pads on, you are essentially wearing a very expensive (but very effective) dust mask.
Another great video marc
I have the same respirator Marc does and I won’t sand anything without it. It’s pretty amazing how well it works. It is very comfortable as Marc said. If you wear it long enough though, sometimes it will give you a sore neck just from the little bit of extra weight. I highly advise getting one if you don’t have one already.
Hey Marc,
Another good video with a couple of smiles thrown in. I like that.
After spending 30 years in safety in the mining industry I would say you you did your research and did a nice job on the subject.
Keep ‘um comin’.
Jim
Great video, Marc!
The setup I use is pretty close to yours, so I’m pretty sure I’m OK (cough, cough, wheeze wheeze) but it’s nice to know what other (cough hack gurgle) options are available.
My wife suggests to DEFINITELY lose the ‘soul patch(?)’ – your best look is clean shaven. I say, “To thine own self be true, bro!” Pasta Power.
Peace.
haha, the day I become concerned about my “best look” is the day monkeys fly out of my butt.
Thnks Marc,
We bought the 3M solution you mentioned.
With hundreds of masks and thousands of filters and adapters on the market it’s a real time saver to get a simple advise what to buy.
Marc,
One of the best vids yet. Thanks for passing along your knowledge. I did some poking around and I’m interested in your input/confirmation. I’ve not seen you do it but it appears you are wearing your organic vapor cartridges and your P100 particular filters (2091) at the same time? You include the adapter to accomplish this. I just found a cartridge filter that I think combines these 2 without using an adapter. Check out the 3M Cartridge/Filter 60921, Organic Vapor/P100. I think it will do both.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/po.....CV729DS2bl
Honestly Keith, I have never seen that setup before so I cant really comment on it. But one concern i have is it doesn’t allow you to use the particulate filters alone.
I agree. I like the idea of using the particulate filters alone too, but I thought this would be a compact and convenient option for those times when you want both. I have both of them on order, so I will test it.
awesome video Marc…I was having a hard time understanding why the P100 wasn’t fitting over the 1st stage, and how that would work with the gaps around the back side…then it hit me (duh)….it all comes through the intake port. I’ve got the 7500, and will pick these up (through your store of course). Thanks for the great video man…
Another question Marc – how do you know when the vapor cartridge needs to be replaced?
Hey Gary. Very good question. Here’s my theory on it. If you can smell the fumes, its definitely time to change cartridges. If you can’t smell anything, they must still be working. Based on that “theory”, the cartridges will last a LONG time. So long, in fact, that I get nervous and start to question my own theory, lol. So just to be safe, I replace mine about every 6 months or so.
Marc,
What is the 3M part # for that adapter / cover to attach the particulate filter to the activated carbon canister? Your Amazon links are broken…
The part is listed as #502. But I am not sure whats going on with the links. They work fine on my end.
Marc,
Discovered your podcasts last weekend, been watching all week to catch up with the crowd, and I made it! Loved the refresher on respitory protection. One note about the activated carbon filters, I have been advised by many safety product suppliers to air tight bag your carbon filters as they will continue to absorb VOC’s from the ambient air reducing service life, if you are cheap like most me, a large zip lock bag to put your mask in is the ultimate cheap!
Seems like there is no one at Amazon selling the adapters that allow putting the particulate filter on the carbon filter. … Bummer.
I hope they will be back soon.
Again, another great video.You already covered when to change the vapor filter, but what about the pink pad?
With all the people who are purchasing the exact mask as you, you could start your own Pink Woodworker Stormtrooper army. We will have to call ourselves the Woodtroopers to avoid copyright laws. We can take over the world, I tell you. One table saw at a time.
Well that also depends on use, but I swap mine out about every 6 months.
A pink stormtrooper army! lol awesome!
Remind me to share with you a technique taught to us in the Marine Corps regarding NBC defense and the donning of gas masks.
Jdog has another question What is an oil-based aerosol? is wiping varnish an oil based aerosol?
Thanks,
Jdog
Are we talking like athletes now?
Well The Wood Whisperer has an answer for Jdog. An oil-based aerosol would be something like a spray polyurethane. So wiping varnish is not an aerosol. The Wood Whisperer thanks Jdog for his question.
jdog says your welcome and thanks you for answering his increasingly frequent questions.
Okay here goes: when donning and clearing a gas mask, and the same principle should apply here, you put the mask on, cover up the exhaust (make sure it’s completely plugged) and exhale strongly. This will (should) expel any contaminated air from inside the mask. The second thing you do is cover up the intake valve (or whatever you call it, but make sure it is completely plugged) then you inhale. Since you have covered up the valve, this won’t work, and you’ll just suck the mask into your face. Now that I’ve written all this, I realize it probably doesn’t matter. I guess I thought that it was good to know for testing the fit of a respirator. If you have a good fit, and a good seal, then when you inhale you suck the mask to your face. The exhale part is really only good for actual gas mask type stuff when you are trying to make sure that any possible poisonous gas inside your mask is expelled. Just in case you wanted some pointless information.
“.. the second thing you do is cover up the intake valve (or whatever you call it, but make sure it is completely plugged) then you inhale. Since you have covered up the valve, this won’t work, and you’ll just suck the mask into your face.”
This is what we did at the refinery, too. Cover up the filter ports and suck in, the mask should suck to your face.
Marc,
Wondering what you would do in the case of 20-25 students in a shop where someone is sanding. The budget doesn’t allow for respirators for 20-25 stdents.I’m concerned !Even if I had 10 and they were shared I’d be worried about germs and H1N1 !
Cal
Well the best you can do in that situation is have good dust collection on the sander and have the students use decent quality disposable dust masks. Have each person write their initials on the front of the dust mask and you should be in good shape.
Three words: liability release forms :)
Marc,
I just received my respirator, the organic vapor cartridges, and the pretty pink 2091 3M filters and also my Dewalt anti-fog safety glasses.
What I forgot to order was the adaptor that allows the pink filters to attach to the organic vapor filter.
Do you have a link for that? Did I miss something in the video. I don’t recall you specifically saying a part number.
Thanx,
shotgunn
Here’s a link to our Amazon Store. The Safety section has the adapters: http://astore.amazon.com/thewo.....8;node=229
Hey Marc, love the site! Another great video! A while ago you posted about a 6 month time span for use before replacing filters. About how many hours per day do you spend wearing it? I am a professional woodworker and I can see wearing mine for around 4-6 hours a day. Do you think 6 months is still around a good amount? Also, what is a good way to store it when not in use? (I wonder if they make a straw attachment to drink beer…) Anyway, thanks for another great video!
Sawdust and splinters,
Christopheralan
Hey Christopheralan. I used to change mine every 3-4 months when I was working in the shop full time. I don’t know if that’s too much or too little, but it seemed right to me. :) At the end of the day, i would use a little compressed air to clean the entire mask off and blow any surface dust off the fiters. But I don’t put too much air pressure on the filter itsef, just enough to knock off surface dust. And a straw attachment sounds like a great money-making idea! ;)
Marc, Thanks again for the video. I got my mask with pinkies today and it works great. It smells kinda funny, but it goes away after a while. It fits great and thanks for the advise!
Hey Marc,
Cheers for the great video. I’m a painter and have been using 3M halfface 7000 series for several years.
My question: Have you come across a pair of safety glasses that actually fit the 7000 series? All the ones I’ve tried sit incorrectly on the nose-bridge of the mask and are not ‘deep’ enough, i.e., there is a gap between the bottom of the glasses lens and the mask.
any ideas?
cheers, vinny
Unfortunately, no Vinny. I just kind of deal with the imperfect fit. So I have yet to come up with a better solution. To be honest, I haven’t tried very hard either. Let me know if you come up with something good.
[...] followed TWW’s advice and purchased the 3M 7500 series half facepiece respirators, along with 3M NIOSH-approved [...]
Marc,
I have a question regarding this mask and filter… when do you change the pink filter?
Thanks.
Phil
Its going to depend on your usage, but I usually change them out every 6 months.
Hi Marc,
Great video. Been searching all over the web for good concise information.
One question, people have recommended also using a face shield when turning wood. Will the 3M 7500 with the pink filters fit under a std face shield?
It can. Depending on the particular face shield you use, the fit might be a little tight. But I’ve done it successfully.
What’s the difference between the pink 3M P100 2091 filters and the blue 3M P100 2097 filters on Amazon? I take it the 2097 filter adds some additional organic vapour “pre” filtering.
Redundant if the cartridge is used?
That looks to be the case. Seems they are for “nuisance-level” organic vapors. Definitely redundant if you are using the organic cartridge. For me, I am use the respirator for two things: dust and fumes. When dealing with dust, I go with the pink filters only to keep the respirator as light as possible. For finishing, I attach the standard organic filters. So for my setup, the organic version of the P100 filters would definitely be redundant.
I’ve got a respirator about a year or so ago when I began having breathing problems in the shop. I haven’t always worn it when working, but I’m definitely wisened up recently. The only problem I’ve ever had with it is getting condensation inside the mask.
I am having a hard time finding the adapter to use the pink filters with the organic media cartridges. You remember where you got yours? Thanks
Hey Daryl. You don’t actually need the adapters. Just attach the pink filters directly to the mask. When using the organic vapor cartridges, just use the standard filters since you really aren’t making any dust at that point. But if you really want to use the pink filters over the organic cartridges, here’s the link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....B002IVCFWK
Be sure to buy 2… some of the websites do not make it clear that they’re selling 1 instead of a pair… I didn’t know this, so I bought 1, now I hate to have to buy another one and pay more for shipping than the actual product.
Marc, you forgot the most important safety tip about these respirators:
Do not burp while wearing the respirator. Depending on what you’ve just eaten, it can be truly horrifying.
yes indeed! Ever sneeze with one on? Not fun! :)
Hi Marc. I have recently purchased the 3M 3000 series re-usable half mask. Here in South Africa the more expensive masks are hard to come buy, but we need to make safety in the woodworking industry here more accessible so this has been my choice. I have started a small company called “The Weekend Woodworker” and safety in the workshop is a topic I would like to cover on my facebook page. The question: I would like to do a write up on the 3M 3000 series, did you have to contact 3M to to tell them you were promoting their product?
Hey Grant. No I don’t have any contacts at all at 3M. But best of luck with your review and The Weekend Woodworker!
I have been using just a regular “paper” mask, they are so itchy and uncomfortable. Now i have been going to my local stores looking for masks, I will probably have one soon, if i just don’t order from amazon first!
Marc,
Thank you very much for the informative video. I was wondering if you know how I can tell when it’s time to change the pink filters, should I be looking for a certain amount of wear on them?
Thanks,
Darryl
I don’t really have any trick for knowing when to replace them. I replace mine every 6 months. That’s with what I would call moderate use.
What about the organic vapour cartridges? How often do you replace them? My understanding is once opened from their package they start to “degrade”.
Those should also be replaced every 6 months, in my opinion. But due to their price and the fact that I don’t use them all that often, I probably only replace mine once a year. I keep them in a zip lock bag when not in use. I am kinda hoping that extends their useful life.
Thanks Marc! I went ahead setup a schedule in Outlook to remind me to change the filters every 6 months. I am pretty much a moderate user so that should work out well.
i posted this on the wood forum also….i bought the respirator, the organic cartridges the adapters for the pink filters. instructions on the cartridges call to install the white filters that came with the cartridges. is this necessary if i am using the pink ones?? the clear adapter for the pink filters will not fit on the cartridges when the white filter is installed. thanks
bob herald
Hey Bob. The two would be redundant. So just use the pink ones and you can throw the white ones in a drawer in case you need them in the future.
HeyMarc,
A quick question for you. I have to admit I did not read every single comment on this video and you may have already covered this, but where do you suggest the placement of the air filtration unit should be in the shop? I already have purchased the Jet unit that you had. Had I watched your video first, I would have only spent $20 on a respirator instead of $300 on the unit. Oh well, I have it now, I better use it. I plan on putting my table saw in the middle of the shop, and my other machines will go along the walls. I plan to mount it on the ceiling ( unless you advise otherwise! ), but im not sure if it should go over the big dust throwers ( sanders) or in the middle of the shop. From your experience what has been the most effective? ( Sorry, I did say this would be quick, I guess I lied! Lol! )
Thanks for the help,
Jeremy B.
I have seen folks do one of two things, place it in the center of the room or along the wall at the center. In my mind, mounting it near the wall makes the most sense. With these air cleaners, what we are really looking to do is stir the air in the most effective way possible. And by putting the cleaner near the wall, we are potentially creating a circular air pattern around the room. Now I have no idea if that’s true or how much of a difference it really makes. But that’s the theory I’m going with, lol.
Thanks Marc,
I appreciate your quick response. That makes sense to me! I guess I will mount it closer to the wall. Oh, and congrats on the new addition to the family.
Jeremy
Hey Marc,
I thought I’d share a quick tip to get a proper respirator tip. I work for a US State Health Department – I got this info from an air health specialist.
Normally, fit-testing is done by injecting a gas around the mask and seeing how much penetrates inside. This is more necessary for highly toxic situations like fumes and asbestos. Not THAT crucial for sawdust.
So a “poor man’s” version of a fit test is to simple remove all filters so you are wearing just the mask. Cover the holes where the filters attach with your hands. If you have a proper fit, it should be pretty tough to breathe. If it’s easy, you do not have a good fit.
Pretty common-sense, but I’d never have thought to do it!
Thanks again for your videos and write-ups, they are outstanding.
-Andrew
Hey Marc,
I’m so glad that I found your video with a Google search! Gotta an additional question for ya, I started a new job doing kitchen remodeling. It involves woodwork and granite cutting. I know this might be out of your niche, but do you know if the pink pad alone would be sufficient protection for woodworking and granite cutting? Do I need to use organic cartridge with it?
Thanks a bunch,
Hey David. Organic cartridges are for filtering vapors. Since granite is really just rock, all you really need is particulate filtration. So the pink filters should be just fine. If you ask the guy who came in to install our new stove top, you don’t need ear, eye, or lung protection to cut granite, haha. But I disagree. :)
Yea, the folks I work with are pretty old school. I get flack from wearing those n95 paper mask. But that’s ok, I gotta look out for myself. I cringe every time I see them coughing and covered in granite dust.
Just wanted to say what a pleasure it is to have a well known woodworker taking safety so seriously. Like you I am a young married guy, and I plan on having kids sometime in the relatively near future. Not cool if I end up getting lung cancer just in time for my kids to grow up. Thanks again for being so safety conscious. You set a great example for the rest of us.
I got my new 3m respirator last week. LOVE IT! I never knew what it was like to not have a nose and mouth full of sawdust. Thanks Marc for doing a video on this.