Dust mask~ Yes or No

[jimmyG]

I try my best to guard my hearing, eyes and lungs, most of the time anyway. A quick cut on the miter or table saw and I don't mask up. When Sanding even using a vac attachment I'll wear one. But, I've yet to put one on when scrolling.  There's a fan blowing on me so I count that as protection. I can't wear a mask that long, too hard to breath.

Who scrolls with a mask?

[Wichman]

I wear a mask while scrolling. I use a HF Gerson mask with Organic Vapor cartridges and n95 prefilters. I change the prefilter when I can see a difference in the color (they start out white) and the OV cartridge when I start smelling the wood.

I can ride a bicycle while wearing these.

There is a n100 cartridge available (I have one set) but it does not filter OV's.

[Sycamore67]

The mask issue is an important one.  But first, do you have any conditions that make you more at risk?  If so, I would find a mask you can wear and really good ones can be expensive.

I am opposed to using a fan to blow away the dust as it just keeps it in the air to breath.  I believe the best approach is good dust collection on your saw.  Several folks have built very good dust collection on their saws.  That is what I use.  I also have an air filter running in my shop.

 

[kmmcrafts]

I wear one of these the whole time I'm in the shop.. I do not wear safety glasses or ear protection while scroll sawing but do if I'm running the larger machines like planer, table saw and miter saw etc. 

https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/elipse-p100-dust-mask.aspx

I've had several different mask over the 20 years and this is my favorite so far.

[Mark SW]

YES, always wear a dust mask.

I use the same one as Kevin the Elipse P100.

Always wear safety equipment. and use all guards. 

Late 1980s I lost my middle-left finger because I did not have the guard down over the table saw blade.

June 2nd, 2022, I had a bilateral lung transplant. A mask an proper dust collection is even more important,

(Not related to any of my 40 plus years of woodworking.)

 

[barb.j.enders]

I do wear the same mask as @kmmcrafts.  I also wear glasses abd this works well with them.  I just wish the replacement filters weren't almost the same price as buying a new mask

[TAIrving]

I use this one Amazon.com: 3M Rugged Comfort Quick Latch Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator 6503QL, Gases, Vapors, Dust, Large : Tools & Home Improvement, the 3M Rugged Comfort Quick Latch Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator.  It is somewhat similar to the one posted by Kevin.  It is very comfortable and has replaceable filters.  Like Barb said about that one, the replacement filters are almost as much as the mask.  

[kmmcrafts]

2 hours ago, barb.j.enders said:

I do wear the same mask as @kmmcrafts.  I also wear glasses abd this works well with them.  I just wish the replacement filters weren't almost the same price as buying a new mask

 

2 hours ago, TAIrving said:

I use this one Amazon.com: 3M Rugged Comfort Quick Latch Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator 6503QL, Gases, Vapors, Dust, Large : Tools & Home Improvement, the 3M Rugged Comfort Quick Latch Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator.  It is somewhat similar to the one posted by Kevin.  It is very comfortable and has replaceable filters.  Like Barb said about that one, the replacement filters are almost as much as the mask.  

I buy the filters from a welder supply company.. They are about half the cost of the filters I find online..You might want to do some checking around. I just did a quick search on google for the P100 filters and this is just an example.. https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/miller-half-mask-respirator-replacement-filters-sa00818. Bought some early this year for $8 per pair so I got a few pairs. 

Also TSC stores have them.. at least around here they do. Last I checked they was about $15.. filters last a very long time too. I sometimes will take and blow compressed are backward to blow out some of the fine dust. For the most part I do change them a couple times a year. 

[Randyw81]

Keep in mind that there are several different types of dust masks and respirators available.  If you are just using it for dust, anything with n95 or p95 ratings or higher are fine. Organic vapor cartridges are overkill for dust, but will also work for finishes. Most have activated charcoal in them, so they should be kept in an airtight bag or they are useless in about a week.  The filters usually need to be the same brand as the mask for them to fit.  The 3M respirator mentioned has both types of filters available. The dust filters are cheaper than the OV cartridges with pre-filters and are available at many auto parts and paint stores.  

 

 

[barb.j.enders]

21 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

 

I buy the filters from a welder supply company.. They are about half the cost of the filters I find online..You might want to do some checking around. I just did a quick search on google for the P100 filters and this is just an example.. https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/miller-half-mask-respirator-replacement-filters-sa00818. Bought some early this year for $8 per pair so I got a few pairs. 

Also TSC stores have them.. at least around here they do. Last I checked they was about $15.. filters last a very long time too. I sometimes will take and blow compressed are backward to blow out some of the fine dust. For the most part I do change them a couple times a year. 

I am in Canada, so the exchange and shipping will not make them competative.  I just did a quick search - Lee Valley (I know expensive) $27.  Woodchuckers, where I bought them but will have to ship now, are $19.  These are not including taxes.  I will take a look at welding supply places.  I often blow out the dust.  Same with my WEN overhead filter.  The replacements were $87 on Amazon.

[kmmcrafts]

13 hours ago, Randyw81 said:

Keep in mind that there are several different types of dust masks and respirators available.  If you are just using it for dust, anything with n95 or p95 ratings or higher are fine. Organic vapor cartridges are overkill for dust, but will also work for finishes. Most have activated charcoal in them, so they should be kept in an airtight bag or they are useless in about a week.  The filters usually need to be the same brand as the mask for them to fit.  The 3M respirator mentioned has both types of filters available. The dust filters are cheaper than the OV cartridges with pre-filters and are available at many auto parts and paint stores.  

 

 

You bring up a very good point. Being I worked many years in the autobody industry I know very well about the charcoal filters and they only last like a week at best out in the open.. even sealed in a canister after the original package has been open they do not last all that long. Also should mention they do have a expire by date because they do go bad in the sealed package over time too so if you're going to be using one for the vapors you need to be sure it's not expired etc.. 

I've seen many folks mention they use these for sawing.. I've never once thought about them using these also for spraying their projects.. so one needs to consider how old the charcoal filter is if they are in fact using it as a respirator for the finish vapors..

Watchout buying these online unless they are listing the expire date.. I bought a batch of these a few years back for a backyard painting of my Jeep.. when they arrived they was all expired at least a year prior.. no wonder they was on sale and way cheaper than anyone else. So buyer beware. 

[Wichman]

I bring up the OV filters because I discovered the OV in the wood bought on a allergic reaction. I use the filters until I can smell the wood or I get a negative reaction. I saw a Ytube video of a guy who was planing a particular wood and he stated that he could feel the allergic reaction to the sawdust, from a planer; probably not the "dust".

So, if you're getting allergic reactions, it may not be the dust it may be the OV.

[Scrappile]

It is a personal choice.  You are free to make it.

[jimmyG]

Being 71 and smoked for 45 years and not just cigarettes, and still kicking,  I figured a little fine wood dust probably won't be enough to take me out!

[Ken O]

I've always used a respirator similar to the ones shown above. I have relatives with lung issues and do NOT want to deal with the issues they have. I've worn my respirator for hours and hours while scrolling, no problems, maybe a little hot in the summer but so what? I also use it when I'm cutting carbon fiber. You can't see it on your skin afterwards but you itch because of it. So I don't want that in my lungs either. I want to be doing this for a long time to come and be the "Old guy" that people go to for questions. haha!

[Joe W.]

Hmmm,  got me to thinking maybe I should.

Currently have a box fan with filter set up close to the opposite side of scroll saw's blower nozzle.
I do wear ear protection while scrolling, but will consider adding a mask.