My Woodworking Dust Mask/Respirator

Article - August 1, 2007

This week’s question comes from Tom and he’s asking about my my woodworking dust mask/respirator. He writes:

Did Fine Woodworking require you to wear the respirator? I wear one as needed but not for every operation. I don’t recall seeing you wear it in previous episodes. Norm doesn’t regularly wear one. Just curious.

And here was my reply:
I wear my respirator just about any time I make dust in the shop. I never wear a paper dust mask simply because the respirator is more comfortable, the filters last longer, and it’s much more effective at keeping the dust out. Some may consider it overkill, but there’s nothing wrong with a little overkill when it comes to protecting your lungs. One quick bit of advice: I definitely wouldn’t use woodworkers on TV (or the internet) as a model for your personal safety habits. I recommend doing your research and deciding for yourself how much protection is necessary. I tend to be a bit of a hypochondriac and I think my safety habits reflect that.

The respirator I use is the 3M 6500 with the quick-release mechanism. The size that fits my face is a Large. The filters I use are the P100 Particulate w/ Organic Vapor Relief (good for light fumes). For heavy fumes and spray finishing, I use these Organic Cartridges.

If you use a respirator regularly, you should adopt a routine cleaning regiment. Here’s how I clean mine: Clean & Maintain Your Respirator

Discussion

Mike in St. Paul August 1, 2007 8:28 pm

Marc – Having seen all of your podcasts and listening to WoodTalkOnline, I can honestly say your commitment to safety is great, and well ahead of most woodworkers on TV or in the media. You can be seen wearing the respirator in many of your podcasts, in addition to other safety steps. (Can’t say as I’ve ever see you “remove guard for clarity” like many other media types.) I also admire that the times you explain why you are or aren’t doing a certain thing with regards to safety (like why wearing a respirator may be overkill but is good, or why your wore gloves the one time to use the jointer).

Thanks for your commitment to your own safety, as well as ours! You definitely practice what you preach. :-)

And remember, Marc, there is no more important safety rule than to wear these, safety glasses! :-D

Mike

Reply
- Michele October 30, 2021 4:20 pm
  
  Hi, Mike.
  
  I liked your joke at the end, Norm’s famous statement which I used to get a kick out of saying around the house.
  
  Michele
  
  Reply
David Brown September 11, 2007 6:02 am

Marc,

Can you recommend a respirator for comfort? I worry they might be uncomfortable or cause safety glasses (or regular glasses) to fog up. I always wear hearing and eye protection, but I’ve not started with the lung protection and would like to find an effective, but most importantly, comfortable, solution. Thanks for any advice.

–Dave

Reply
thewoodwhisperer September 11, 2007 7:13 am

Sure thing Dave. This is the one I recommend and use:
http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/store/shop.php

Very comfortable and no fog because the exhaust is downward.

Reply
Steve November 14, 2007 6:27 pm

A few things I learned about respirators in my 14 year tour as the safety guy when I worked in construction and manufacturing.

1. Throw away the little paper dust masks, they are pretty worthless.

2. Get a respirator with replacable filters, get replacement filters, replace them as the manufacturer recommends and store all in an airtight bag when not in use.

3. Use the right filter for the job. A good filter for dust is not going to do anything but make you feel good in the finishing room or under the welding hood.

4. If you buy from a company with a service rep, you can actually get a respirator that fits your really well. The rep can show you how to use and maintain it and might even be able to give you a respirator physical. Good respirators come in different shapes just like our faces, and the right shapes fits best, no leaks. Respirators work best on a clean shaven face. (Sorry Marc)

5. Do you smoke or have any known (or unknown) cardio/pulmonary problems? OSHA requires a respirator physical. It might not be a bad idea if you’re older, have health issues or plan to wear the respirator for long periods of time. You can consider an airsupplied respirator (my favorite) especially if your shop environment is hot or really dusty.

It’s been 8 years since I last lived that life, some details may have changed a bit.

Steve

Reply
Gordon Ormsby January 5, 2009 11:43 am

Working in my crawl space is a hateful job and I must where a good light-weight two-strap dust mask and enclosed goggles.
The goggles instantly fog up from my breath coming from the dust mask. This makes me blind and I am forced to work with fiberglass dust and ordinary dirt falling in my eyes.

What do professionals wear in crawl spaces?

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer January 5, 2009 5:52 pm
  
  Hey Gordon. Not sure exactly what the pros wear, but I will recommend my favorite respirator: http://astore.amazon.com/thewo.....B0006ORFGW
  
  The down-firing exhaust sounds like it would be perfect for you.
  
  Reply
Andrew Levine September 15, 2013 6:53 am

Marc,

1. You really wear a large? A medium fits my face pretty well, we appear about the same size. Must be that big head, but I didn’t think you were so conceited!

2. I got made fun of AGAIN yesterday for wearing the “shirt with the guy creepily whispering to a log”. Thanks!

PS. I am actually here because I somehow found a way to lose my respirator, and I needed to check which one I (you) use again, because I forgot the model number.

-Andrew

Reply
David Doria October 14, 2013 4:07 pm

I have a similar 3M respirator (http://www.amazon.com/3M-Low-M.....respirator), and have trouble keeping debris out of my eyes while wearing it – I haven’t found any glasses/goggles that fit over it and still seal properly. Any suggestions?

David

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo October 16, 2013 7:14 pm
  
  It’s a problem I have too. The lenses always sit just a bit off my face thanks to the rubber on the nose portion of the mask. So I don’t really have a great solution for you unfortunately.
  
  Reply
  - Robert July 21, 2016 7:41 am
    
    Full face forced air respirators are a great solution to this problem. I used one for years as a service tech for ServPro. You just have to route the power cord through your shirt so it doesn’t become a hazard. It takes some getting used to as its slightly heavier than the half mask.
    
    Reply
- Rick January 1, 2017 7:57 am
  
  I know this is an old comment but, I’ve always had the same problem being a construction worker, with debris getting into my eyes no matter what I wore. And now I’m dabbling in woodworking at it’s become a big problem. I found a solution that works for me. I use motorcycle goggles , the ones that have a strap that goes around your head. They are shatter proof just like safety goggles. I use the ones with soft foam edges not the hard foam. I use clear ones in the shop and dark ones outside. My eyes have never felt better. Hope this helps.
  
  Reply
Stu November 18, 2013 9:47 am

Hi Marc,

I have watched many videos and have learned a lot. Not only do you have a lot of good info, you are entertaining as well.

I am a weekend woodworker. I am setting up my shop and saw the great respirator you recommended. My only question is how often do you change the filter/cartridges if you use them on weekends and sometimes after work a couple of hours? I never really understood when to replace them. Any light you could shed on them would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Stu

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 18, 2013 9:51 am
  
  Well, you will probably wind up changing them before you REALLY need to, but why not err on the side of caution. I’d say every six months is a good pattern to get into for light woodworking.
  
  Reply
  - Stu November 18, 2013 10:42 am
    
    Thank you for the quick response. It is greatly appreciated.
    
    Sounds good. I realize there is no cut and dry rule, but I do appreciate the rule of thumb. I agree, I rather replace them more often, since the cartridges are much cheaper than my health. Again, thanks.
    
    Reply
Bob July 30, 2014 9:14 am

Marc,

Can you recommend a set of filters that would work on this mask not only for dust, but also for when I use finishing materials like oil/varnish, poly, etc?

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo July 30, 2014 9:41 am
  
  Yup! Here you go: http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....3EHFHLIDCO
  
  Reply
Dennis November 19, 2014 12:54 am

I have a full face plate 3M respirator but I find it too constricting for everyday use. I’d rather have a half-face mask, I wonder if it’s possible to turn this one into a half-face model. Probably not. I currently have no dust collection and I need to remedy this, especially for my table saw.

Reply
Nicholas McKay June 29, 2017 12:48 pm

Hey Marc, does this recommendation still hold?

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo June 30, 2017 8:25 am
  
  It does. But I have since moved to the 6500 which I like a little better: http://amzn.to/2u74glC
  
  Reply
AL Breit April 15, 2018 1:22 pm

How do I decide weather I need S- M or Lg looks like it doesn’t come with filters which ones do you use? Thanks Marc Spagnuolo

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo April 16, 2018 8:38 am
  
  I think most typical adult men would be a large or possibly medium. I wear a large. The only way to know is to try it on and test how well it works and how it feels. I added links to the filters in the article.
  
  Reply
Blake Gilbert October 28, 2020 11:00 am

Hi Marc,

Thanks so much for your help.

If I am only using hand tools, would you still recommend I wear a respirator? If so, would you mind sharing some of your rationale?

I’m a new woodworker that prioritizes safety, and sometimes a hypochondriac myself, and so I appreciate your emphasis and awareness around health issues.

Having said that, I also enjoy smelling the wood, singing along to the shop music sometimes, and not having to wear a mask if I don’t need to.

Thanks again for your help and guidance.

With best wishes,

Blake

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo October 28, 2020 2:31 pm
  
  I can’t really advise one way or the other. It just depends on how much airborne dust you create and what your personal tolerance is. Hand tools create less dust than power tools, certainly, but they do still produce dust. But I have no way of quantifying the dust level without taking measurements while you work. I would guess that most hand tool woodworkers do not wear respirators unless they are sanding.
  
  Reply
Diana Drusia November 22, 2020 2:47 am

Hi Marc!
Could you recommend simple dust mask but still work effectively? My husband wants something simpler than 3M 6500. Thanks!

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 22, 2020 8:55 am
  
  Simpler = less effective. So there are other simpler solutions out there that will filter out some dust, but they’re not going to work as well. He might be a good candidate for something like the RZ Mask https://rzmask.com/
  
  Reply
Diana Drusia November 28, 2020 8:50 am

Thanks so much forvyour advice! I would consider it.

Reply
Ben Price August 24, 2021 7:20 pm

When I go to the TWW Amazon store the mask there only comes in small do you have a new link for a large?

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo August 25, 2021 11:43 am
  
  Weird. When I click the link it goes to large.
  
  Reply
  - Ben Price August 26, 2021 12:21 pm
    
    Very sorry it worked I’m sure I did something wrong on my end.
    
    Reply
Arthur Tingley January 25, 2022 5:41 am

I have had all the issues stated above, and in the end did get a 3M mask, which works very well, even with glasses. However I do feel claustrophobic in it after a bit of a struggle, and take it off in between . This then leads me to get sore throats, lung infextions and dust in the eyes, even for some pretty minor woodwork by most peoples standards. Dont mess about with this , it really is quite serious , use the 3M for general woodworking, but dont forget that the dust lingers like covid in the atmosphere.

So I am now looking for a full face with visor, but not of the ‘gas mask’ variety. I did have a trend helmet, which was noisy and top heavy and kept falling forward and I could not get ear defenders on ;there must be something better than that around.

Reply

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My Woodworking Dust Mask/Respirator

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