This was inspired by a mention of health ills from grinding dust on another thread.
I have never had any luck finding a respirator that's functional. 
They all seem to fog up the glasses and/or I have a devil of a time getting
enough air to breathe.
I could wear contacts, I suppose, to solve the fogging issue. Then I could thrill in that special joy that comes from wiping the sweat out of your
eyes with grimy hands or rags. 
Would rather not in a crap environment, though.
Anybody got a good solution for dust and fumes?
Pete
If you're having problems with fogged-up glasses etc. then you may be better off with one of those full-face visor thingies with a fan and filter
in it. You get a constant flow of filtered air coming down across your face.
Trouble is, they're bleeding expensive!
cheers,
David
I spent about 25 quid on a respirator with dual cartridges.
It fits over your nose and mouth like a fighter pilots mask. There are two cartridges each side (a total of four) one set filter dust, the other
organic vapours.
As the mask is sealed to your face, you dont fog up masks. Its fairly easy to breathe thro too
atb
steve
I've got a full face shield for eye protection and like it a lot. Forced induction would be very nice, indeed 
Mr. G's mask sounds like the more Locost route, though, and would be the ticket esp. if air flow is good.
Based on your comments I just took a look on eBay (finally, duh!) and there's a lot to pick from.
Thanks!
I have one similar to Steve's - pretty effective.
I was spraying my scuttle with an aerosol can a couple of months ago (cellulose!) and I could barely smell the fumes at all. Took the mask off at the
end, and had to march smartly out of the garage! 
(not life-threatening, but smelly - that's the paint fumes, not me 
)
David
I've got a 3M disposable organic filter mask, it was about £15 if I recall, works very well, it's comfortable, reaonably free breathing, and
absolutely no break through. I'd buy disposable in preference to cartridge now.
If you just need dust protection, get a molded mask with a exhale valve and a foam nose seal - still not perfect for not misting up your
goggles/glasses but better than a regular crappy paper thing or a fold flat mask.
Kingr
If you have a compressor then you can get an air fed face mask like the one DJ mentioned.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=000210250&r=2153&g=120
Either that or make your own (locost style) by fitting some flexible tube across the top of your mask with holes in it that will blow down across your
face.
Terry
[Edited on 25/2/04 by Spyderman]
The type I was thinking about was the one where there's an electric fan in the helmet bit, with a battery box hanging on your belt.
I'm a bit worried about that compressor-driven one - apart from looking like a complete nana, my compressor is not oil-free, so where does the
oil vapour go? It won't take long for the belt filter to get mucked up if that's meant to stop them!
Mind you, if you follow all the links on that site, the belt-mounted filter/regulator is £82, and replacement filters are £26!
David
i've heard these are quite good
I use those flat mesh/fluff type that fit in an aluminium sheet and kind of wrap around your face and nose. They're cheap, they seem to keep
grinding dust out (they get dirty, when I blow my nose afterwards it's not black) but they do mist up goggles. Not too brilliant. I intend to get
one of the solid fighter-pilot-style ones at some point.
When I work hard without a mask on, just goggles, they mist up anway, presumably from sweat. Perhaps better goggle ventilation is the answer.
I have a pair of open style safety glasses too, more comfortable to wear all the time to stop things shooting directly into my eyes.. even those mist
up from time to time :/
Well, the bloke I know that wore one had terrible bad breathing problems!
BTW - I work with someone whos grandad worked on the movie - he has an ORIGINAL mask from the film. Its glass fibre. Hes not allowed to sell it as all
props belong to george lucas - its basically black market
atb
steve
quote:
Originally posted by Staple balls
i've heard these are quite good
i got a double cannister one from MM today for £18 with two filters. Not tested yet though...
DONT make your own air fed mask if you have an oil lubed compressor(piston typed)
Minute oil droplets are carried with the air and these are more dangerous than the paint/dust your are trying to avoid. The can cause accellerated
heart disease, lung cancer.
Thanks Mark - I suspected that there was a health hazard there...
David
quote:
Originally posted by JoelP
i got a double cannister one from MM today for £18 with two filters. Not tested yet though...
hey, thats not me! but hes nicked my mask...
Get an old motorcycle helmet, and plug in an airfeed - from a vacuum cleaner on reverse (without a dustbag - but clean air supply) - might be a bit
windy. You'll get excellent eye protection and good clean air; and no fogging.
ATB
Simon