For all your bespectacled woodworkers, I am a relative beginner and for the past couple of weeks, I find myself working more without my dust mask than with because my eyeglasses keep fogging up whenever i wear it. I’ve even tried wearing goggles over my eyeglasses, but somehow the warm breath makes it up inside the goggles and still steams up my glasses.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a method of working with some sort of dust mask that won’t fog up my eye glasses? thanks, tony.
Replies
I've found that the Dust Bee Gone masks work a lot better, not perfectly, the amount of misting is really reduced and are very comfortable to wear. Check on Amazon - there are three sizes.
Added: Here's the URL http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002IXVTC/
Tim
Tim Lawson
Soon-to-be furniture maker
Port Townsend, WA
Edited 2/21/2005 10:17 am ET by Timel
I wear a 3m respirator. They are pricey but worth it. I have several different cartridges. One just for dust, one for spraying paint. I swap out the cartridges as I need. If you get one keep it clean and store it in a plastic zip bag when your not using it.
View ImageWithout cartridges.
I know it seems like overkill but it's not.
BTW. My glasses don't ever fog up. But I've been woodworking for a long time so maybe I just not as excited anymore. LOL...
Hope this helps
I've found the easiest thing to do is use a glasses cleaner with anti-fog properties. Bought a small bottle that's lasted a long time. Glasses never fog up when wearing a mask while turning.
Tony,
The recommendation by Len for the 3M respirator mask is the best option in my opinion. The mask provides an excellent seal around the nose and mouth, thus preventing steamed glasses. 3M makes two versions of the mask - a poly/vinyl and silicone. The silicone is softer and will provide the better seal of the two - this is the type of masks I use in my shop (3M 7500 with P100 cartridges). Cartridges are extra, but this allows you to pick the correct filter for the job at hand (e.g. sanding dust, spraying). I purchase my respirators online through Gemplers (http://www.gemplers.com/a/shop/list.asp?SKW=2S5DUCHM&c=catsafe&UID=200502211112356258407147)
They have all products, and excellent customer service. You can ask them questions before you buy.
The only problem you may run into is the bridge of your glasses fitting over the nose of the respirator. 3M does make a full face version of the mask that should fit over your glasses.
If you choose to use a paper or cloth mask, a trick used by surgeons that wear glasses in the operating room, is to place a piece of white surgical cloth tape over the top of the mask - under the eyes and over the nose. This effectively tapes the mask to your face, and helps to prevent fogging.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.
thanks for the advice. one follow up question, i went on line to gemplers and see the half-face mask, which i am planning on purchasing, but there are about a half dozen p100 filters -- which would you recommend? the one that seems like the correct one for basic woodworking, sawdust, the particulate one, says "not available", so i figure one of the others will probably do. i can always call them tomorrow. thanks again, tony.
I use a standard disposable dust mask with a pig snout -- sthe valve that allows you to exhale. It works fine as long as the weather is moderate; but when it gets hot, and I sweat, then it is a problem (fogging glasses). In that case a respirator (such as the 3M mentioned earlier) would be a better choice. I like the Moldex line of masks.
Tony,
Here's the link to the correct P100 filters (the ones I use). This is a two stage filter with the outer (pink) shell housing a P100 particulate filter, on top of a (black) organic vapor layer.
To extend the life of the filters, keep the respirator sealed up in a heavy plastic bag when not in use. An inexpensive, but effective bag are the Space Bag vacuum bags. The smaller ones zip closed, and are rolled to squeeze the air out. You can find them at larger drug stores.
http://www.gemplers.com/a/shop/product.asp?UID=200502211112356258407147&T1=G60921
Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.
Edited 2/22/2005 1:00 am ET by Jackie Chan
tony,
I wouldn't worry about the one that's not available. It appears to be replaced by another that just meets another standard.
I use the N95 with the retainers and they work fine.
As mentioned before if you have facial hair you won't be able to acheive a tight seal on the mask. You should clean your mask after you use it. Wiping it down is usually enough. If it gets really dirty then warm sudsy water cleans them up nicely.
If you have a safety guy at work talk to him. Let him know you'll be using it at home. You don't need to go through the OSHA requirements for home but being aware of them is a big plus. He can instruct you on how to fit test your respirator.
enjoy
Hi, I'm Len and I'm a Toolaholic...
thanks all for your help -- i've ordered the 3m 7500 half-face respirator with filters, i think i'm all set, the only question now is whether i ordered the correct size! best, tony.
Being older I find I set my glasses on my bench when I work.
I keep the ventiltion up.
HA ha hahahahahahah I'm dyin'!
Being older, when I take off my glasses, I need to be led by the hand!!!
Best regards,
Don
Try to find a glycerin soap. It is usually a translucent amber color. Dampen a soft cloth, rub it on the soap to pick up a trace of soap and then rub that on the inside surface of your glasses. I used to do that to the windshield of an OLD car that had no defroster. It worked like a charm. You may even get the same results using a bar of regular hand-soap. SawdustSteve
I have better success with dust masks that have an outlet for breath than the inexpensive kind that just cover your face. A respirator would be a good option, though I would think a little more cumbersome than a mask. My respirator is kinda clunky, but then it looks a lot clunkier than the one the other poster pictured. Oh by the way, if you go the respirator route and need to use it as a respirator, if you have facial hair in the contact area it will not seal - another major drag for me when I have to use mine :^)
Barry
Tony,
If you're using a disposable dust mask you're probably getting leakage around the edges when you exhale. There's probably no good fix with those disposable dust masks. Having said that, while the disposable dust mask may be better than nothing, there are better solutions that are affordable. Personally, I use an AOSafety half-mask respirator. I have both the "paint" cartridges with prefilters as well as the higher end cartridges that are rated for just about everything. I've seen others around here mention the DustFoe (sp?) mask. In any case, a mask that seals well on your face and has separate inhalation and exhalation valves will probably help.
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