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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Charlestown NSW
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    65
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    Default Disposable face masks - yes metal work related

    a few years ago I bought a box of Protector "Trade Mate" P2 Dust/Mist/Fumes (cat RP2R20) for using around the shed mainly when using a grinder or doing wood work.
    I've been using disposable masks since the late 1970's but these particular ones would have to be the worst I have ever had (I dont buy the el cheapo ones).
    Nothing wrong with the filtering side of it but the little bit that goes over the bridge of your nose and that should be deform-able to get it to seal is absolute rubbish. These days they all seem to have a bit of plastic there.
    The only way I can get these to seal well enough to be able to use safety glasses is to use some masking tape and stick that across the top onto my face.
    When I was an apprentice we used to use these type of masks (can't remember the brand) all the time when working in and around the ash precipitators at the power stn. They used to have a bit of thin sheet metal across the top and the worked really well.
    So does anyone here have the same problem? Or is it just my ugly mug?
    As I started using the last one tonight, its time to look at buying some more, so can anyone recommend a brand/type that you can wear with safeties?
    It seems a bit of a no brainer to me that you should be able to wear these and safety glasses at the same time without fogging the glasses up.

    peter

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    202

    Default

    I have one of these

    Sundstrom - Respiratory Protection - SafetyQuipâ„¢

    you can get different filters that you can plug together to give the required protection to what you are doing. I have just bought a carbon activated one to try when welding Gall tubing.

    im using these goggles as well

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    257

    Default

    I use the same sundstrom mask. I can wear it for hours and hours, very comfortable but with a few different filters on it can get a little front heavy.Gets a great seal, is soft and pliable. I just dont bother with the paper masks. We have paper ones at work, the best ones we have are a 3M mask but I dont know the details. They aren't cheap. We have cheap ones and they are exactly that, cheap, dont seal, and are an absolute nightmare with glasses.So probably doesn't help you much. Keep shopping around.

  4. #4
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
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    Perth
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    7,182

    Default

    I realise this does not suit everyones work situation but in my smallish shed I found once I installed a couple of high-flow squirrel cage exhaust fans I no longer needed to wear a mask for working activities.

    One of the fans (1/3 HP) is above/inside my small welding booth where I found I can even weld galv plated steel without any effects even when running at just 1/3rd full speed.

    The other fan (1/4 HP) at max ceiling height in the middle of the shed.

    Both fans are were skip rescues, are relatively quiet and draw very little power.

    Before I installed the fans, a day of MW in the shed without a mask resulted in lots of grey snot for the next 24 hours but these days - nothing.

    For wood work I have a separate 3HP ducted dust extraction system.

    The freedom of not having to wear masks makes shed work so much more pleasant and reduces the level of grey goo all over the shed.

    Only drawback with fans is it kills the air con in summer.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    nowra
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    1,598

    Default

    I were glasses so I gave up on the cheap masks. At work we use 3m paper maskes they are really good and have a metal band over the nose not cheap but worth it in my opinion.
    BETTER TO HAVE TOOLS YOU DON'T NEED THAN TO NEED TOOLS YOU DON'T HAVE

    Andre

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
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    Default

    I have a big nose, so I find it hard to get any of the paper/material ones to seal. The Sunstrom one seems to work for me. best bet is to go down to the safety shops and see if you can try one on.
    if its not sealing, its not working, so might only be getting 5% of the particles.
    With the paper ones its not uncommon for me to have a line of crap along each side of the nose.

    as stated previously I bought one of these
    Sundström ABEK1 Filter - SafetyQuip™

    I was welding some gall the other week and felt quite off and ill for a couple of days after it, I had ground off the coating prior to welding. if it works it will be money well spent. only going to take feeling a bit groggy to wreck a job, damage a tool or worse.

    I should wear it more often I think.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Townsville, Tropical Nth Qld.
    Posts
    225

    Default

    Bollie, l have a similar problem to you. I use a respirator for fumes but for wood sanding and metal cutoff wheels I found that Racal Delta P2 masks were the best fit for my multifocal glasses. Well they disappeared off the market, so I found the Sandpaper Man sells an equivalent, same shape with the exhalation valve. I have been using these for over a year now and cant fault them, and I use the Uvex goggles as in Ryan from Melbourne's photo above. The good thing with the Sandpaper Man is there is no minium buy, so you can get a couple and try them.
    Rgds,
    Crocy.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    202

    Default

    You can get replacement lenses for those univex goggles as well.
    The straps clip off and clean up well in the washing machine.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Charlestown NSW
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    65
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    1,669

    Default

    Thanks for the replies gents.
    Crocy- I'm like you in that I have a respirator for fumes etc but use the mask for nuisance dust. I'll check out the Sandpaper man as well.
    regards
    peter

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
    Posts
    4,255

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    I


    Only drawback with fans is it kills the air con in summer.
    aircon in the shed?...that must be hard to handle

  11. #11
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Perth
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    Quote Originally Posted by eskimo View Post
    aircon in the shed?...that must be hard to handle
    Yeah life's tough out here in the west.

    It's a small in wall unit I got for nothing from a family member when they were demolishing their old place.
    I usually do dusty things in the mornings and put it on around 11am on hot days.

  12. #12
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    Jan 2011
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    Far West Wimmera
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ryan in Melbour View Post
    You can get replacement lenses for those univex goggles as well.
    The straps clip off and clean up well in the washing machine.
    I have a number of these goggles (Uvex). I tried using them when cutting firewood with a chainsaw. Dust and chips got in my eyes. They have breathing holes. I plugged up the holes with silastic. They have holes everywhere. One of the reasons why I tend to cut green wood. Much less dust, easier cutting, usually less dirt and no-one else wants it. The last is starting to change tho. The one pictured has a foam seal to the face. I also have some that are red and don't have the foam seal. The foam is a problem when using dangerous liquids as it can absorb any splashes. The red goggles have a non-absorbant seal.

    I bought some MSA disposables off EBay a couple of years ago. They come folded flat and sealed individually. They have the valve and a metal nose strip. They work ok. I also have a respirator, but I hate wearing it.

    Dean

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Location
    Darien
    Age
    32
    Posts
    1

    Default

    I am using face masks with face shield to get protection !! Its easy to wear !!

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    I've got the 3M half face silicone respirator which uses the mushroom style soft filter pads. Works OK with glasses. Also works under welding helmet.

    If I was doing long hours and needed respo and eye protection, 3M have full face options that have impact rated lens, so kill two birds so to speak. No good under welding helmet though...
    Something like this

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Perth
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    241

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by welder View Post
    I were glasses so I gave up on the cheap masks. At work we use 3m paper maskes they are really good and have a metal band over the nose not cheap but worth it in my opinion.
    Quote Originally Posted by Hornetb View Post
    I use the same sundstrom mask. I can wear it for hours and hours, very comfortable but with a few different filters on it can get a little front heavy.Gets a great seal, is soft and pliable. I just dont bother with the paper masks. We have paper ones at work, the best ones we have are a 3M mask but I dont know the details. They aren't cheap. We have cheap ones and they are exactly that, cheap, dont seal, and are an absolute nightmare with glasses.So probably doesn't help you much. Keep shopping around.
    Guessing these guys?
    https://www.3m.com.au/3M/en_AU/compa...1635011&rt=rud

    I can attest to how well they work - I worked a couple of years as a drillers offsider on an RC rig in the Pilbara, where the dust control was a big box that only made a regular thump. It was mandatory to wear these masks and safety glasses (and the usual hardhat/longs&longs/gloves). Many many days of standing in dust clouds, where at the end of the day the only parts of you that were clean were your feet, and impressively your face, provided you took that little bit of time to adjust it for the perfect seal. Also, absolutely zero glass fogging, the valve on the front worked a treat.
    But yeah, bloody expensive, from memory a pack of 2 had been around $15 at Bummings, but I expect them to be even pricier now thanks to that damn virus (I love disposable nitrile gloves, and the prices on those have doubled since covid).

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