Dust Masks

[skier-hughes]

What do people use for dust masks?

I bought this one P3 Respirator
http://www.toolstation.com/index.html?code=93297

But don't find it very good, getting to fit tightly without letting dust in is a nightmare, particularly if I'm wearing goggles and a cap or hard hat. Waste of money in my opinion.

As I have an awful lot more plaster stripping to do all over the house, fireplace opening and the continual digging of "The Kitchen Hole" I thought I'd invest in a decent mask.....

Is there such a thing?

When we were out shopping today I looked in Focus and Homebase, neither have anything any good.

I've searched the internet and can't really find anything that looks like it should be better than what I already have.

Should I go for one of these types of full face masks?
http://www.farmrite.co.uk/product.ds2?p=051138660499

 

[Manny]

I have an old mask that I used for spraying a car once. It's along the same lines as this one which I think is just a more up to date version. The one I have however is a rubber material which I think fits very well.

Failing that, British Army MOD SAS NBC Avon Gas Mask's are quite cheap :wink:

 

[skier-hughes]

Your first link is to the same type of mask as I have, but yours has two straps to hold it in place, which would probably be better than my one strap, as if its high the top seals ok but the bottom can come loose and vice versa.

More suggestions and advice gratefully welcome.

 

[middi]

dust masks are like power tools , they all do the job but they are only as good as the quality and the price you are willing to pay.

For the type of work which you suggested, the cheap dust masks which are sold by builders merchants and sold in packs of 10 or 50 should be adequate, just change them very frequently during use.

Alternatively you can buy a more permanent face mask which fits much better, but you still have to change the filter as frequently as the cheap masks in very dusty enviroments.

If you are really extra conscious about your health you can get car spraying masks with integrated suits and regulated compressed air supply.

If you are not prepared to take any risks whatsoever, ring NASA.

 

[Penners]

I've never found any kind of disposable mask that makes a really good seal on the face (maybe I've got an odd shaped face!).

To be really effective, I reckon a mask has to be rubber (real or artificial). Something like this http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat...d/cat/pro.jsp?id=21462&slotName=null&homeRef=
or
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=A331070&ts=14548&id=58042

If you want to go the whole hog (and spend a lot of money), there are positive air pressure masks like this http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/OCCHEALTH/guidanceandadvice/poweredrespirator/

 

[Penners]

If you are not prepared to take any risks whatsoever, ring NASA.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[skier-hughes]

Penners, your first link is the one I already have and it doesn't seal very well.
I've looked at the full face respirators and am undecided whether to spalsh out on one, not knowing if it's going to be cumbersome in use or not.

Hopefully someone will have used one and can tell me.

 

[Peter]

We use the 3M P3 mask at work

 

[Penners]

Penners, your first link is the one I already have and it doesn't seal very well.
I've looked at the full face respirators.

Or you could consider plastic surgery!

 

[Gervase]

I have to say I hate 'em, but I'm doubly handicapped as a spectacle wearer and a bearded loon. The specs always steam up, and the beard prevents a seal. I usually just wrap an arab scarf around my head and look like a member of fatah when doing something very dusty.

 

[Andrew Bodenham]

I've tried all sorts of masks and without a doubt the best ones I've found are the fold flat ones made by 3M. Like most 3M products they really do work - the straps are good and strong, the nose strip holds its shape and the foam gasket over the nose really seals. No steamed up glasses!
As I am highly allergic to cats I use these when working in catty houses - a real life saver.
Screwfix are one of the cheapest suppliers I've found.

 

[Pford75]

I too use the P3 respirator mentioned by others above and it works very well for me.....just a note of caution....do remember to change the filters every now and then - I was quite shocked at the difference it made when I changed mine.

However, the real key is preventing the dust in the first place....as not only does it get into your lungs and eyes....it makes a real mess of the house.

At a previous house, where we did a lot of sanding - we hired a dust extraction unit from the local hire shop. It didn't cost a lot and although noisy, can be used to extract dust from the room as you are working, direct to the outside....for majorly dusty jobs, I would recommend it as worth exploring. The major hire shops all offer them.

 

[NT]

I also approach it from Pford's angle. I dont like dustmasks at all and use a cyclone hoover as a suction/filter unit, attaching the tube to the power tool. It transforms dirty jobs into almost clean ones, means no need for dustmasks, no dirt damage to surrounding items, and the most minimal cleanup afterwards. IMHO it really is the way to go. The downside is noise.

Open windows help carry out the very finest airborne dust.


NT