Dangerous Dust??

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massman

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Westfield, Ma, USA.
I am fairly new to this passion and have not yet purchased a dust collection system. My wife is an RN and has fits when she sees me working with no dust mask. I have tried to use a mask but just fog up my eye protection. I work with all kinds of woods and recently making alot of Antler which can't be good for the lungs.

Any thoughts or insight on a good mask or something else??

Thanks
Bernie

www.writingwood.com
 
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I recommend the "Dust-B-Gone". It works, it is comfortable, it doesn't fog my glasses, and it is washable. I bought mine at the local Woodcraft store, but it is also in the woodturning catalogs.
 
I used a respirator in the beginning; but I found a better way. I put a heavy duty fan blowing heavy wind on my work area and away from me. I don't need a mask now. I get no smell or dust. It's so simple and cheap, and I believe a safer way. John Eaton
 
If you aren't filtering your air or working outdoors, your lungs are doing the filtering... even with a fan blowing stuff away from you. For any serious amount of working with the fine dust we kick up you really need a dust collector, respirator or at least a dust mask. Ignoring this risk WILL end up compromising your health, it's just a matter of time.
 
I agree with Lou. There is data supporting industrial woodworkers suffer 5x lung disorders and diseases - mostly due to inadequate protection. Go to mscdirect.com and get a good 3M particulate respirator with replaceable canisters. The cheapo "dust masks" from HD and Lowes won't cut it because they leak around the edges. A fan doesn't help if we remember what gets lofted into the air ends up in our lungs eventually. I like vacuum systems at the spindle and the canister respirator. I want to live to see my grandchildren start turning!
 
Lou says it well, your lungs are the final filter. I have a beard so most face masks were little more than a way to keep flying chips out of my mouth. I have a good DC that runs when I am turnng, a good air filter system that picks up an amazing amount of dust, and always use a mask although I knew it was marginal effectiveness. For an early Christmas my wife bought me a Trend Airsheild helment, works like a champ even with a beard. Don't know how I ever turned without it! It cost a lot of $$$ but is much cheaper than lung transplant!
 
I'm with Ray. I didn't have as much success with the Dust Bee Gone as others have had. After developing a respiratory infection (and no turning for about 6 weeks) I bought an air scrubber, dust collector, and the Trend AirShield.
Plus, just this afternoon the Trend Airshield saved me a trip to the ER. While rough turning a bowl, a chunk of wood flew off and hit my face shield right over my eye. The Trend deflected it.
 
Listen to your wife, she is right.

I have asthma and the Dust-Be-Gone doesn't work well for me.

I use the Triton Air Respirator and I hear The Trend AirShield is also good.
 
Dust Bee Gone is ok for a quick job but if you want real protection bite the bullet and spend some dollars and get one of the systems that fit over your entire head, has a battery belt pack and supplies HEPA filtered air. You only need to ask one question. What is my health worth? I spent $500 on mine 15 years ago and wear it everyday.
 
She is right! Get the best you can afford! Full face powered is best but I like dust colection and a dust mask. Works for me.
 
couple of quick suggestions.

Pick up an air filter at hardware store, kind you use for home heating and cooling.

I did this for the longest time summer and winter.
If you have a window/door/opening to the outside, in your room put in a box fan to suck the dust out. work just behind the fan.

if no opening,use the box fan with a filter taped to the intake side, then work behind that.

I know there have been some pic posted of this set up and other ideas, try a search on dust collection.

pete
 
One of the major ww mags recently posted a comparison of the different air filtering systems. The main message was (1) The dust filtered really only helped keep the shop clean as the dust particles that are problematic are too small for the filters and (2) Pete's suggestion of taping a filter to the back of a box fan worked just as well as any of the systems tested...and I believe comes out cheaper [;)]

My wife just bought me like a $40 respirator that has the detachable cannisters...not the top of the line, but it sure did make me feel good knowing that she actually wants to keep me around. ;-)
 
Originally posted by BigRob777
<br />I've heard bad things about the dust b gone(can't remember what, of course), but if Russ uses it, it's good enough for me. Is it good for guys with beards?
Rob
Click to expand...
Here's my concern about the Dust Bee Gone ..... I started off with one and used it for a few months until I developed a respiratory infection. The Dust Bee Gone website has a list of testimonials from satisfied users, however, the website also states that it is "Not NIOSH or OSHA approved".
 
http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/DocsOrders.cfm#MedicalRisks

This site should tell you all that you might want to know right now. Also, visit the main site and read up on the effecent use of cyclone filtration. http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/index.cfm [:D]
 
Fred,

Since you brought this topic back up, I will add my two yen. Face Masks like the Dust B Gone do not seal real well for me. I have tried all kinds from the US and from Japan. My glasses ALWAYS fog from the blowout from my big lungs. IF exhaled air escapes from the edges not matter how tight, then you can bet that dust is getting in too. Single canister filters do the same for me. I finally bought a double canister type it allows for the big lunged person as well as having a tight seal that doesn't put a pain on my head and neck.

A few woodworking fellow on another forum recommmend the Triton Powered Respirator found here!

A little expensive but most of those that have it like it.
 
As a safety specialist, the other info I can give is to see a doctor to make sure you can safely wear a respirator of the canister type...past lung ailments can cause a decrease in lung capacity and can actually make you pass out from lack of oxygen when trying to breath through a respirator. And always look for the NIOSH/MSHA approval label on any respirator.
 
I have to do smething now.. I only started turning a lot in the last few months.. I have noticed I have been coughing a lot latley.. I think I am going to try the dust bee gone first.. If that doesn't help then I am going to the full mask thingy. also try a fan on the lathe..
 
Do any of you who use Dust-B-Gone have to wear glasses to see? If so, do you have any problems with fogging?

Those anti-fog remedies don't help me when there are large droplets of water gathering on the glasses.
 
Read up on becomming "sensitized" to woods and I'll bet that you just can't spend enough on protecting yourself from the toxic effects of many species of wood. Remember, if you do not have your health just what do you have? Many woods are extremely toxic when used. Once you have developed a problem in your lungs or on your skin you will have to avoid those woods all together and then what will you turn? And medical reports show that once the problem begins, they just get worse, and worse!
Do a Google search for Toxic woods and read up![;)]
 
Bernie,

I HATED wearing masks also, but I can't afford a DC unit just yet. I did find a solution that works well for me. I wear glasses as well, and have found that the 3M 6000 series respirator works really well for me. It costs about $20-25 and comes with 2 sets of disposable filters. You can buy them at any paint and body shop in your neck of the woods. You will know if it is the right mask, because it has little pink filters on each side.

They are well worth buying, and it is a VERY comfortable fit.

Hope this helps.

Ed Jordan
Wichita Falls, TX
 
In the past several yrs I have spent in excess of 5 grand on dust collection in my shop. My last purchase was a Clearvue Cyclone. It has completely eliminated dust in my shop. During hot weather I use air conditioning to help w/Fl heat and humidity. The cyclone is mounted outside the shop on the end of the bldg. An addition recently added protects the unit from the weather. After the air is cleaned it is then piped back into the work area with little loss of a/c. I still turn a number of pens but time wise I am usually involved with much larger pieces and in turn much larger dust concerns. Bill Pentz has worked with Ed Morgano of Clearvue Cyclones to make an effective dust collecting system that is still somewhat affordable. If we misuse or abuse our equipment it will probably breakdown or hurt us. For most of us the dust we breathe takes a good deal longer. By the time the physical problems arise often it is too late to do anything but suffer. My Trend air shield was by far the best and most inexpensive investment. The JDS dust collector was a good improvement but I often found myself cleaning the exhaust to remove dust. After 2 cannister units one no name and then a Jet 1 1/2 HP 1100 cfm w a dust dog cannister I threw in the towel. I can now work several hrs at a time and not leak brown gew from my nose ect later in the day.
 
I tried the dust masks found them worthless. Then I bought a double canister respirator and couldn't use it with a face shield which was only bad when I turned some plastics. I finally bought a Triton powered respirator and it's great. No problems at all with fogging, nice clean air and better yet I can use it outside when I need to cut down dead trees with my chain saw. The hard hat and hearing protection are overkill for turning but not for cutting down trees.

Added bonuses are that CA fumes don't bother my eyes at all and I can't smell antler when I turn it.
 
I just wanted to say, I am researching respirators to buy, and now I'm too scared to even turn anymore :O I'm not as scared by the breathing stuff in because I can get a good respirator, but that article keeps repeating over and over how dangerous the fine dust (and I make alot when sanding) is to your family and pets. I rarely separate my cloths and shower immediately after turning and have even held my baby, now I'm freaking out... is it really as bad as the article makes you believe ?
 
I like seeing old threads like this one brought back to the surface since dust in the lungs and little 3 micron nasties in the air is pretty serious business and new turners get a chance to think about their lungs if they haven't already done so.

Along with the Jet ceiling mounted air filter I use a Trend air shield and it suits me just fine, lung and eye protection with one solution.

George
 
I really want to get one of the full head covering ones but dont think Ill have the money for a little while. I think I am going to get one of the canister ones for now and focus on moving my lathe out of my house into the garage (needs a new roof).
 
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