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[Tug Fanatic]

Increasingly the advice is that a face mask should be worn for all sorts of modelling & DIY activities but which one?

Do I need different filters for different activities or is there a suitable universal filter?

What about when you need both eye protection & a filter & wear glasses.

I cannot believe that the cheap white felt examples beloved by DIY sheds & Poundland do very much good and have a nasty habit of making my glasses steam up.

[jaymac]

At the lake then if you do any damage you might get away with it  

[tigertiger]

The white felt examples are OK for dust. Just dust, and just OK.


There are lots of different types of mask with interchangeable/removable filters. There is no universal filter. Some are for organics vapours, some are for formaldehyde, etc. etc.


I stand to be corrected on my usage, but I have one suitable for protection against paint fumes. However, it is also suitable to keep out dust.
These are the only two things that seem to be a hazard for me.

[Tug Fanatic]

Dust is a very generic term & one the areas where confusion reigns. As I understand it dust is measured by particle size and the smaller the particle the bigger the problem. I suspect that the white felt filters only filter out the larger particles and the poor sealing with the face allows even some of those to get through.

[david48]

It might be a bit over the top , Trend do a face shield with a fan and a filter so the air blowing across the face is clean , I have never used one know people with them and say thy are good . I have not checked the price thy will be dear knowing Trend.
 

Dust mask with replaceable filter for use when routing, for industrial and construction work, DIY and various other trades.Five times larger surface area than the average disposable dust mask, giving superior protection against dust inhalation and offering considerable cost savings.[/t]
[/size][/font]

• Assigned Protection Factor 10.

• The one way exhaust valve vents to the underneath,preventing exhaled air from fogging goggles or the optional visor.

• This also ensures that the filter stays dry reducing filter clogging and prolonging its life. P2 electrostatic filter has approximately life of ten times that of average disposable facemask.

• Protects the user against hazardous toxic dust particles, metal fumes and mist to classification P2 and down to 0.3 microns.

• Conforms to standard BS EN 170.

• Respiratory protection to BS EN143 P2.

• We recommend a P3(R) filter for toxic woods such as hardwoods, western red cedar and MDF

1 customer reviews |  Write a Product ReferenceAIRACEPrice£ 36.36 +VAT
£ 43.63inc. VATSpecificationsMetric & imperial conversioDavid

[grendel]

I used to use a full face crash helmet as face mask and ear protection when making re-enactment swords, while using a 10" Grinder, this filtered most of the dust out (as it filtered through my beard, stopped molten particles into the eyes, and protected my hearing)
the wall of the shed eventually had 1/4" thickness of metal dust buildup
Grendel

[Tug Fanatic]

It might be a bit over the top , Trend do a face shield with a fan and a filter so the air blowing across the face is clean , I have never used one know people with them and say thy are good . I have not checked the price thy will be dear knowing Trend.

Dust mask with replaceable filter for use when routing, for industrial and construction work, DIY and various other trades.Five times larger surface area than the average disposable dust mask, giving superior protection against dust inhalation and offering considerable cost savings.[/t]
[/size][/font]

• Assigned Protection Factor 10.

• The one way exhaust valve vents to the underneath,preventing exhaled air from fogging goggles or the optional visor.

• This also ensures that the filter stays dry reducing filter clogging and prolonging its life. P2 electrostatic filter has approximately life of ten times that of average disposable facemask.

• Protects the user against hazardous toxic dust particles, metal fumes and mist to classification P2 and down to 0.3 microns.

• Conforms to standard BS EN 170.

• Respiratory protection to BS EN143 P2.

• We recommend a P3(R) filter for toxic woods such as hardwoods, western red cedar and MDF

1 customer reviews |  Write a Product ReferenceAIRACEPrice£ 36.36 +VAT
£ 43.63inc. VATSpecificationsMetric & imperial conversioDavid

This one:
http://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/product/AIRACE/3/211/airace_half_mask_.html

[Brian60]

I use 3M face masks for dust in enclosed rooms, outside nothing at all. If you wear glasses they will give a moderate amount of protection against flying objects. Otherwise you are going to be paying out for some very, very expensive prescription lens eye protection!

[Mark T]

I must be honest I really don't believe much of this health and safety malarkey     It seems to me that my past relatives who were all craftsmen managed without half of the nonsense we hear about nowadays and I do too.


Don't get me wrong, there are some really obvious dangers such as vapour and gases from spray painting, but apart from that the little bit of dust from wood or plastic that I make from my boat making isn't going to get in my way and I personally wouldn't bother with a mask.

[rnli12]

Hi,
 
You may not know but airborne dust from various areas in construction industries in future years will probably be as bad as asbestos related disease seen now. Ive the HSE stats and warnings. it will be another hidden killer.
 
Use RPE at all times.
 
Rich

[Tug Fanatic]

I must be honest I really don't believe much of this health and safety malarkey     It seems to me that my past relatives who were all craftsmen managed without half of the nonsense we hear about nowadays and I do too.


Don't get me wrong, there are some really obvious dangers such as vapour and gases from spray painting, but apart from that the little bit of dust from wood or plastic that I make from my boat making isn't going to get in my way and I personally wouldn't bother with a mask.

I do know what you mean. The frequency & length of our contact with problems is so much less than someone whose job it is.

On the other hand £20 -  £30 for a mask that helps with those critical few minutes where high risk activities are undertaken does not seem a real problem. Over the years I have blown some real muck out of my nose after doing jobs - & presumably got a lot more into my lungs - & I am sure it would be better if I didn't continue doing so.

[Plastic - RIP]

If I was mucking about with fibreglass or any other dust-producing man-made materials, I'd be using a proper mask. I've seen 2 people die of mesothelioma in the last couple of years - not nice.

[Ian K]

Hi all,

These masks http://www.arco.co.uk/products/166700?s=1 are my preferred choice.
They are very comfortable, easily cleaned and cover most of the nasties modellers encounter!

Ian

[Buccaneer]

I bought my Trend Airshield quite a few years ago and it is still going strong and in regular use. The current price is just over £200 from Axminster Tools. Remember that it is not only paint fumes that can be harmful. Sanding Fibreglass Hulls, especially with a power sander, can be lethal and MDF dust is on the same scale. My local DIY Store, now unfortunately converted to Flats for OAP's, gave up cutting MDF after Dave got the dust in his lungs.

For a good range, both price and style, have a good look at ScrewFix and Axminster Tools. To quote quite a few Politicians and Military Men "Doing Nothing is not an option".

That's my two pennyworth! Time to push on through the site and see what else I can find. Happy New Year to you all.
John

[Mark T]

I do know what you mean. The frequency & length of our contact with problems is so much less than someone whose job it is.

On the other hand £20 -  £30 for a mask that helps with those critical few minutes where high risk activities are undertaken does not seem a real problem. Over the years I have blown some real muck out of my nose after doing jobs - & presumably got a lot more into my lungs - & I am sure it would be better if I didn't continue doing so.

When I was an apprentice we used to weld all sorts of stuff without any kind of extraction - It was often combined with something like sulphur dioxide in the air as I worked in a refinery.  I have also worked as a mechanic when no consideration was given to what brake and clutch parts were made of. 


Now I'm not saying it was right as it obviously was not - but I'm as fit as a fiddle and have no issues what so ever.  Mind you if I do have asbestosis it will take at least 2 weeks to cremate me 

[boatmadman]

Buy the best you can afford to give you the protection you need.

One mask will not do everything.

It all depends on the value you put on your lungs/eyes/ears etc.

Ian

[Brian60]

The trouble with most of the expensive ones people are recommending are simple, for modelling purposes they truly are overkill, unless you are spending extended periods in a closed room with epoxy/polyester resins or volatile paints.

For the most part you will be worried about dust particulate from sanding etc, for that a simple cotton filtered mask is more than adequate. As I mentioned above, I use this type, as you will see, the don't sit on the face, but hook under the chin making them much more comfortable to wear.

( edit:  3M 8822 Dust/Mist Respiratory Valved Face Mask )

[PeachyPM]

Extraction, extraction, extraction!
I always try to remove the problem rather than fight it, even if it's in the form of an old Hoover!

[tigertiger]

Don't get me wrong, there are some really obvious dangers such as vapour and gases from spray painting, but apart from that the little bit of dust from wood or plastic that I make from my boat making isn't going to get in my way and I personally wouldn't bother with a mask.

Agree to a point, and for modelling we don't cut as much wood, by machine, or use as many chemicals. As a DIYer, I have found the dust from cutting 3/4 ply boards is pretty unpleasant. Also most of the paints and finishes with the nasty stuff in have been taken off the market in the EU, and the water based stuff is really good. But here in China, there is no DIY market and I am having to use industrial 3 part polyurethane, which is pretty unpleasant to breath. There are still some spray paints in EU for commercial use that are pretty nasty.

[radiojoe]

Know what with all the health and safety / government warnings about things that are now bad for us ie. red meats, dairy products, sugar,
being in the sun, the list goes on, How the hell did I get to be 70,

As for H&S by the time a worker has done the required  H&S assessment for the job in hand and filled in all the forms etc. the first day of a job is gone, don't get me wrong I'm all for being careful in the work place but what ever happened to common sense.

[PeachyPM]

Know what with all the health and safety / government warnings about things that are now bad for us ie. red meats, dairy products, sugar,
being in the sun, the list goes on, How the hell did I get to be 70,

As for H&S by the time a worker has done the required  H&S assessment for the job in hand and filled in all the forms etc. the first day of a job is gone, don't get me wrong I'm all for being careful in the work place but what ever happened to common sense.

Sounds like maybe you've been lucky enough not to pull a young lad off a saw & hold his stuff in whilst waiting for an ambulance?
I have, it's not fun.
Fortunately I now work for a firm that gives a damn about it work force and the worst we get these days is a knocked knuckle from the disc sander.

Just saying that mindful common sense health & safety isn't a mad thing at all. It's a good thing & something we should embrace!

Off course in the comfort of my own workshop I break loads of "rules" 

[john44]

Off course in the comfort of my own workshop I break loads of "rules" 



I think my worst one is leaving the pedistal drill chuck gard up when drilling small items.
However I do wear prescription safety glasses when in my workshop,


John

[Brian60]

Sounds like maybe you've been lucky enough not to pull a young lad off a saw & hold his stuff in whilst waiting for an ambulance?
I have, it's not fun.
Fortunately I now work for a firm that gives a damn about it work force and the worst we get these days is a knocked knuckle from the disc sander.

Just saying that mindful common sense health & safety isn't a mad thing at all. It's a good thing & something we should embrace!

Off course in the comfort of my own workshop I break loads of "rules" 

I think what Joe was getting is the quite overwhelming health and safety rules that burden the modern world. Whatever happened to commonsense? As to the workplace, every single H&S course I ever attended the first thing you learned was that you are equally responsible for your and other persons safety along with management. In other words, the wording of the regulations were turned on their head by employers.

The rules were meant to protect the workforce, by twisting the meaning, employers found they could lay any culpability at the feet of the workforce and wangle out of much of the blame.

[radiojoe]

In actual fact I have wrapped a workmates hand tightly in a towel after he caught it on an open top plainer even with the guard in place, wood working machines are inherently dangerous and accidents will happen. 

[PeachyPM]

Planners can make a terrible wound, hope the chap healed ok