Masks - air systems - opinions

Hi Tom,

I have the 3M Airstream (from Airware America) and although it is pricy for a hobbyist, I would recommend it as it not only protects your lungs but also your eyes and your entire face.

I bought mine 3 years ago, turn professionally, and only rarely do I not use the airstream - those times that I don't, I regret it and swear never to do any shop work without it.

Airware America service is super as there are consumable items that wear out in the airstream unit and they can quickly get you going again. I now have spare parts on hand to replace those items I know will wear out.

George

I have one of these on my lathe

You could also use one of these The first one also works well for other uses, like the router table. For a face mask, some people I know really like the Trend mask

I've had the Triton Respirator for about 6 months now, and have been very satisfied. The integrated hard hat and ear pieces took very little time to get used to, and the belt unit is very comfortable, It's eliminated all throat/lung irritation from sanding dust. Although I oginally bought it for use when turning, I find myself wearing it when routing, sanding flat work, and lot's of other times around the shop. It's very rewarding to take the pre-filter off to be blown off, and see all of the "stuff" that might otherwise been inhaled.

Ron

I have also been thinking about this. Although now during the summer months I can have a fan and leave the garage door open it will soon be winter and I will have to do something.

Would the large dust hood be good enough connected to dust collector for the winter?

I also thought I might try and make something like the 3M device George mentioned because it is so pricey.

Jimbo

Jimbo wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

The mask has several purposes:

• protecting your face from flying objects of various mass and velocity

• providing a filtered air stream for your consumption

A dust hood for your lathe doesn't fill both roles. There are other options, and how well they work, depends on your work space, style and other equipment needs.

Patriarch

I was thinking, I have a face shield that I could attach a hose from a filtered box with a fan to the top of the shield, battery operated that would push air into and down the face shield.

Will the dust hood still be adequate for collection of most of the chips and dust if the lathe were enclosed in a small area of "walls" of plastic curtains?

Jimbo wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

I'm just a beginner, turning bowls & platters, mostly, these days.

When I turn, a stream of chips & curlies flies in a wide range of directions, depending greatly on the angle of presentation of the edge to the tool. A 1200 cfm DC has little effect on the flight path.

George from Michigan claims to be able to direct a significant portion of his offcuts into a bag or barrel sitting to one side of his workstation. While I have no reason to doubt him, that is not yet a trick I have attempted.

My turning friends in analog life use dust masks, brooms and dustpans, unless they are sanding on the lathe. Then they might use a dust hood for the 'fines'.

Gather your ideas, test your theories, and make your best choices. Work safely.

Patriarch

Ralph,

Your PennState link came up as a Fatal Error. If you can give me a description I'll work my way through the website.

One suspects your newsreader didn't tie they two lines together and you didn't paste the 2nd line on the first line. You also might try doing s simple search of the Penn State site, it's how I did it

The 2nd hood looks like this

The 1st hood is smaller, with a mount that attaches to the lathe bed

In my experience, a dust collector is only effective on the lathe when you're sanding... and that's the stuff you want to collect, the shavings aren't "airborne particles".. well, at least not for long.. *g*

Also, shavings and dust collectors don't get along well, especially wet and/or long shavings, which are the most fun to produce... you're better off sweeping or scooping those..

I use a modified version of George's trash bag system... not a lot of the shavings actually go into the bag by themselves like his do, but the rest get scooped up into the bag and given to the neighbors for their gardens..

I know that you will probably never have a bowl crack (tongue firmly in cheek) but some of mine do, and once in a while I'll just finish the crack on the bandsaw and have a couple of handy scoops..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Hi Tom

Your best bet, work outside and stand above wind when sanding or a fan behind your back, next best the triton or 3M airstream face mask/ air filter. If you already have emphysema, I would not fool around half ass with fans and dust collectors etc. , lungs are for keeps and wood dust is murder on them.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Tom Nie wrote: