Respirator suggestions?

Richard · Feb 28, 2005

I did a lookup and seems most conversations center around using a respirator while painting. Although I might also be painting, it will be baseboards or walls and not spraying autos.

That said, I've been diagnosed with some form of asthma /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif One time when I notice it kicked into high gear was when I was sanding some pine boards to be later painted for baseboards.

Are the full face respirators at the box stores worth anything? Is there a better kind to get?

Again, I don't see myself into chemicals per se, just sanding and painting boards with latex paint (brush not spray)

Any ideas thoughts?

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cliff_Johns · Feb 28, 2005

While I don't have one, the kind that interested me the most was the kind that pulled in air from behind your head through a filter then blew it down past your face under a shield. That description probably doesn't make much sense, but they work even if you have a beard or otherwise don't like having a rubber gasget stuck to your face. I gather they are very comfortable.

Just a thought
Cliff

gsganzer · Mar 1, 2005

I use a half-face made by AO Safety that I bought at Lowe's. It's fairly comfortable, as far as respirators go. I bought it for painting and grinding in my shop and house. It's a cartridge style, so it also works for paint fumes, pesticides, with the correct cartridge. As well as dust.

I have a 37 year old house, so when I get to sanding things there's no telling whether I'm inhaling lead dust. I figure better safe then sorry.

tawilson · Mar 1, 2005

I get my cartridge respirators at a welding shop. They are low profile to fit under a welding hood and so fit under a shield also. The only problem is if your nose is too long it rubs on the inside of the respirator. Don't ask me how I know.

David_G · Mar 1, 2005

Have a look at
http://www.triton.net.au/products/resp.html

I use one of these for wood turning and on the tractor when it is very dry and dusty.

Richard · Mar 1, 2005

Interesting on the powered versions... I saw the price ($300) and sat back reflecting... which is the lessor evil?

Being able to breath or spending $300?

Thanks for the link /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

dmccarty · Mar 1, 2005

Richard,

I bought a resperator from Ace a year or so ago. It was about $30 give or take a few dollars and I think its from AO. It has the twin cartridges that are replacable. It can handle dust, dirt, some chemicals and pesticides.

I bought it when I was doing demolition of my bathroom which had quite a bit of mold in the walls. Long story. The mask worked. Not only did it prevent me from breathing dust and mole it was relatively comforatable. The cheap n95 masks are really useless. This mask I could actually WORK while wearing. I could work hard enough to be breathing heavily without a problem compared with the N95 masks. I started wearing it when mowing with the tractor and it makes a huge difference. I used to cough up dirt, dust and pollen for hours after mowing. But not now.

I may look like a nut wearing the thing along with hearing protection and maybe eye protection but its my body. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'm sold on this thing for work use.

I don't have ashma so I cant help you there but the mask works for me.

Later,
Dan