I’ve searched the archives and found a fair amount of discussion about respirators but little about dust masks. It may just be semantics but I’m looking for recommendations for a dust mask not a respirator.
I have a cartridge respirator that I use for organic vapors and such and it also filters particulates. But I’d like to find a simple and unobtrusive dust mask for use during sawing, sanding, deconstruction and the like. I’ve tried most of the ones available at the big box and other hardware stores. They usually don’t seal well and fog my safety glasses.
An earlier FHB article touted the “Dustfoe 88” but it seems its no longer available.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Andy
Replies
The feature I've found to be most important as far as comfort and not fogging glasses is the exhale valve. That valve (little plastic thing in the center of the mask) makes the masks more expensive, but much more comfortable to wear. Also, those with two wide elastic staps are more comfortable and fit tighter than those with just one strap. I like them to have the metal strip on the bridge of the nose that you can pich to fit your nose more tightly.
N95 with valve by Moldex or similar - HD has for around $16 -
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Jeff
What Danno said.
Exhale valve. Two straps instead of one.
They are hard to find, but there are dust masks that have the exhale ports on them. When you breath out, most of your breath goes out two valves next to your lips instead of going up the bridge of your nose and out your eyes, fogging your glasses.
They look just like regular dust masks, but they have extra plastic pieces on them.
Tu stultus es
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
Highland Hardware used to highly recommend the Dustfoe that you were looking for. When it was discontinued, they started recommending this one.
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5092
It's nice soft rubber. Provides a good seal & the replacement filters aren't expensive when bought in bulk. The exhaust valve works very well. For me, it's much better than the Moldex or 3M filters that have the exhaust valves.
I have been using the Dust Bee Gone mask for several years and am pretty happy with it.
http://www.dustbeegone.com/dustmask.html
Cloth mask that can be washed. Doesn't fog up the glasses nearly as much as the disposables.
http://www.woodworkersguide.com/2009/05/07/dust-bee-gone-no-fog-dust-mask/
Edited 8/6/2009 8:38 am by Shoeman
I knew you guys would come up with answers quck. I've tried the ones from HD and Lowes and found they leaked. The North CRF and Dust BeeGone look like what I want. I had found them with an Internet search but wanted to get at least one first-hand recommendation. Thanks.
Edited 8/6/2009 8:02 pm ET by semipro
I buy a lot of stuff for our lab from lab safety:http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/Respirators/Disposable_Respirators/The North or the Moldex N95 particulate respirator is a reliable dispo option. The "handystrap" variants are a little more durable - good for real grimy, hot work.We use these for what we call "nuisance" powders in the labs, and unless it's gritty work (I have everything from cartridge filters to PAPRs to SCBA suits available if I need them...) these little dispo filters are what I take home with me and into the crawlspace or attic. -t