How the @#$%! do you get a dust mask to seal?
 

Hello folks,

I'm building an s&g pram, and I don't particularly like the idea of
filtering out the 'glass sanding dust with my lungs. I have one of
those big, cumbersome masks with interchangeable elements, but it gets
in the way of my glasses, and I'm less inclined to sand through the
fabric when I can see what I'm doing. I've tried both the throw-away
paper masks and a nuisance mask with the flapper valve for exhaling
(which also gets in the way of my glasses, but not quite as bad as the
big mask), and no matter how much I cuss and massage those metal
strips that are supposed to conform the mask to my nose, I can't make
them work. Exhaling with either fogs my glasses. I'm assuming that if
the air goes out that way, it must come in that way, too. In fact, I
can feel it entering when I inhale. As far as I can tell, I don't have
a misshapen shnozola. What's the trick?

Thanks,
Don

Try a little Vaseline. It will seal Steve Baker's beard, too.
Jim

Don S wrote:
Hello folks,

I'm building an s&g pram, and I don't particularly like the idea of
filtering out the 'glass sanding dust with my lungs. I have one of
those big, cumbersome masks with interchangeable elements, but it gets
in the way of my glasses, and I'm less inclined to sand through the
fabric when I can see what I'm doing. I've tried both the throw-away
paper masks and a nuisance mask with the flapper valve for exhaling
(which also gets in the way of my glasses, but not quite as bad as the
big mask), and no matter how much I cuss and massage those metal
strips that are supposed to conform the mask to my nose, I can't make
them work. Exhaling with either fogs my glasses. I'm assuming that if
the air goes out that way, it must come in that way, too. In fact, I
can feel it entering when I inhale. As far as I can tell, I don't have
a misshapen shnozola. What's the trick?

Thanks,
Don

On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 22:40:30 GMT, Don S
vaguely proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

Know the feeling(s). I get the glasses displaced and the fogging, and
I can also feel the air coming in at my nose. Lucky for me, I don't
need prescription lenses, so I can wear a face shield when I wear a
mask.

Try petroleun jelly around the rim of the masks. It can help. You
probably need a fair bit, but start small and work up. The fogging
will still probably happen a bit, as some of it is actually coming out
through the mask, not just the gap. If pet jelly irritates you, try a
salve cream. Savlon or whatever.

I find the paper masks with the valve are a bit better as they allow
slightly better cooling.

The only other solution is one of those pressurised face masks / hoods
that have a little pump at your waist, pumping in through filters. Not
cheap, but getting cheaper. If you are going to do any more work they
may be worth a look.

Hello folks,

I'm building an s&g pram, and I don't particularly like the idea of
filtering out the 'glass sanding dust with my lungs. I have one of
those big, cumbersome masks with interchangeable elements, but it gets
in the way of my glasses, and I'm less inclined to sand through the
fabric when I can see what I'm doing. I've tried both the throw-away
paper masks and a nuisance mask with the flapper valve for exhaling
(which also gets in the way of my glasses, but not quite as bad as the
big mask), and no matter how much I cuss and massage those metal
strips that are supposed to conform the mask to my nose, I can't make
them work. Exhaling with either fogs my glasses. I'm assuming that if
the air goes out that way, it must come in that way, too. In fact, I
can feel it entering when I inhale. As far as I can tell, I don't have
a misshapen shnozola. What's the trick?

Thanks,
Don

I have a couple of 3M 6300 half-face mask and a 3M 6900 full-face mask.
These models come in sizes (the 6300 & 6900 are large size). THey'll accept
a variety of filter elements and are, for me, reasonably comfortable. The
full line is available from industrial safety outfits. I wouldn't think
you'd want the full-face style for dinghy building. I got mine for grinding
glass tabbing in enclosed spaces. If you're going to use rolled/brushed LPU
paint or epoxy primers, get some organic vapor cartridges.

Don S wrote:

Hello folks,

I'm building an s&g pram, and I don't particularly like the idea of
filtering out the 'glass sanding dust with my lungs. I have one of
those big, cumbersome masks with interchangeable elements, but it gets
in the way of my glasses, and I'm less inclined to sand through the
fabric when I can see what I'm doing. I've tried both the throw-away
paper masks and a nuisance mask with the flapper valve for exhaling
(which also gets in the way of my glasses, but not quite as bad as the
big mask), and no matter how much I cuss and massage those metal
strips that are supposed to conform the mask to my nose, I can't make
them work. Exhaling with either fogs my glasses. I'm assuming that if
the air goes out that way, it must come in that way, too. In fact, I
can feel it entering when I inhale. As far as I can tell, I don't have
a misshapen shnozola. What's the trick?

Thanks,
Don

Don S writes:

I've tried both the throw-away
paper masks and a nuisance mask with the flapper valve for exhaling
(which also gets in the way of my glasses, but not quite as bad as the
big mask), and no matter how much I cuss and massage those metal
strips that are supposed to conform the mask to my nose, I can't make
them work.

I have never been able to fit my nose to the usual paper masks, but 3M's
three-panel masks have worked brilliantly for me. The fabric of the mask
is soft enough to adapt to the skin.

The models are 9210 and 9211, see http://tinyurl.com/6xo3l for a picture.

Other thing is your glasses. If the lenses are very close to your
cheekbones (large lenses) they fog easier. Smaller glasses which don't
come as close to your nose are better. If your eyes allow, you might try
cheap reading glasses bought from any supermarket.

Pekka
--
http://www.puuvene.net/

You could try sanding outside in a howling gale and leave off the mask, or
maybe clamp an electric fan to the work surface to suck the dust away.

For the ocassional sanding I do I use an el cheapo plastic nose mask with
a cloth border and a washable filtre. This rig probably keeps out some
sanding dust. It doesn't keep sanding dust from dimming the lenses on the
eyeglasses. The eyeglasses have to be pushed down the nose a bit to
accomodate the mask. I cant' wear the glasses for close up work anyway,
not having opted for bifocals yet.

I avoid sanding too deep by moving the sander quickly over the work so I
can see what's left underneath. When you work with a sanding disk on a
drill as I do you get used to using a light touch and being extra careful
how deep it goes.



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Don S wrote:

Hello folks,

I'm building an s&g pram, and I don't particularly like the idea of
filtering out the 'glass sanding dust with my lungs. I have one of
those big, cumbersome masks with interchangeable elements, but it gets
in the way of my glasses, and I'm less inclined to sand through the
fabric when I can see what I'm doing. I've tried both the throw-away
paper masks and a nuisance mask with the flapper valve for exhaling
(which also gets in the way of my glasses, but not quite as bad as the
big mask), and no matter how much I cuss and massage those metal
strips that are supposed to conform the mask to my nose, I can't make
them work. Exhaling with either fogs my glasses. I'm assuming that if
the air goes out that way, it must come in that way, too. In fact, I
can feel it entering when I inhale. As far as I can tell, I don't have
a misshapen shnozola. What's the trick?

Thanks,
Don

5200? Sorry couldn't resist.

Tailgunner

Tailgunner lets off a quick burst with:

5200? Sorry couldn't resist.

Argh, now that's just cruel ;-)

I canceled my reply because I've never actually tried the Vaseline, but
it is an often referred to method by people who train in the use of
respirators, for people who have beards, or other problems sealing.

I thought someone who actually tried it should be the one to suggest it.

Stephen Baker wrote:

Jim says:


Try a little Vaseline. It will seal Steve Baker's beard, too.
Jim


Are you volunteering to try?.... ;-)

Steve "singe me once, shame on you....."