Multi purpose respirator?

[Fritz]

Looking for some suggestions for a good multi purpose respirator for bow building and general home owner usage.

[John Scifres]

I use a tight-fitting half face with P-100 (particulate) cartridges.  Mine is a 3M. I only want to filter dust though.  

If you are doing other things, such as spray gun finishing, you should refer to the MSDS for the products you are using to see what kind of cartridges recommended.  You can get them from the manufacturer website.

You should also be in pretty good health to wear a tight-fitting respirator.

[Fritz]

Thks John. I run alot so I'm in pretty good shape. Mainly interested in dust size particles. Will check out the one you use since it sounds like you use it for same thing.

[mmgrode]

Good on you for looking into respirators, Michael.  I wore them on and off for years when bow building, but wear them constantly now as I've developed allergies to certain woods.  Makes me wonder if I'd ever developed the allergies (Wenge, cocobolo)  in the first place if I'd worn the respirators as I should have.  Hope I'm never allergic to osage! Makes me cringe a bit to think of what I've inhaled in my various craftswork over the years...

Most off the shelf respirators will be sufficient for wood dust, but as John suggested check MSDS for specific recommendations related to particle size for your intended uses.  

Cheers, Matt

[Cootling]

I use a 3M with P100 filters, too.  Good choice for fine wood dust.

[va]

Couple of notes from a Safety Guy - I would say professional but don't want to start the scoffing -

1.  Ya gotta be clean shaven - as in no stubble.  The seal against your face needs to be continuous.
2.  If you opt for a simpler dust mask (which can be very effective) make sure you get a double-strap model.
3.  Always check the MSDS (soon to be called SDS).
4.  IF you cannot decipher the MSDS info start asking questions - I lurk here frequently and will reply when I can.

Take care of your lungs.

[Fritz]

I went with the 3m with the P100s. Haven't done much woodwork yet, but I did mow my spring weeds with it on the other day. These weeds kill my allergies when I mow, but I had no problem after mowing with my respirator on. If it can handle that I know it is a good choice for my woodwork. Thanks again for the help.

[Crittergetter]

I'm considering the 3m with P100s also. Is this sufficient for working with cocobolo? Also can you get filters good enough for spraying Buffalo Hide/Tbird?

[John Scifres]

P100s are for particulates and are oil proof so they will filter cocobolo dust.  The P100 is for particulate; the 100 means it will filter 100% (actually 99.7%)of particles.  

Read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) from the chemical product you are using.  Download from the manufacturer website.  It will tell you what respirator to use and when to use it.