Cutting MDF and using a DUST mask?

[lovespicyfood]

I'm just about to start cutting some MDF for my first arcade cab.  Is a dusk mask good enough to protect myself while cutting (of course I'll be using eye protection too).  I'll be doing this out in the open, outside of the garage.

I think I'll enlist the help of a friend next time I buy some more 3/4" 4X8 MDF.  Geez, that stuff is heavy and awkward to move by yourself.  I thought I was somewhat strong, but it certainly wasn't as easy as I was expecting.

Thanks for your help

[whammoed]

Yep, especially being outside.

Edit: after reading everyone elses response, maybe a better mask is advised.  I have cut mdf outside with a paper mask with no problem, but better safe than sorry eh?

[missioncontrol]

Yes, unless you enjoy blowing MDF dust out of your nose for a week

[DrewKaree]

Now, I know that you SHOULD, and I DO always have a mask on my head, but if I'm downwind, I often catch myself leaving the mask off.  It's not a good feeling to have the dryest mouth you've ever had - and it doesn't leave you for a few hours, not to mention you feel like it's harder to take a breath the next day.

I do pesticide applications in the summer, and I happen to have 2 Northern Tool stores fairly close to either my house or work, so this is what I use - $20, and the filter cartridges are replaceable for minimal cost.  Click the pic to go to the website and page with more info on this mask.



Get one and use it.  MDF also has some cancer-causing ingredients holding the stuff together, so no one should NEED to tell you to use one - it's your gamble - but you'd be wise to at least purchase a mask in case you change your mind in mid-cut.

[maxlamer]

Ear plugs are a good move too if your useing power tools

[lovespicyfood]

Now, I know that you SHOULD, and I DO always have a mask on my head, but if I'm downwind, I often catch myself leaving the mask off.  It's not a good feeling to have the dryest mouth you've ever had - and it doesn't leave you for a few hours, not to mention you feel like it's harder to take a breath the next day.

I do pesticide applications in the summer, and I happen to have 2 Northern Tool stores fairly close to either my house or work, so this is what I use - $20, and the filter cartridges are replaceable for minimal cost.  Click the pic to go to the website and page with more info on this mask.

Get one and use it.  MDF also has some cancer-causing ingredients holding the stuff together, so no one should NEED to tell you to use one - it's your gamble - but you'd be wise to at least purchase a mask in case you change your mind in mid-cut.

DrewKaree: Thanks for the advice, I am very sensitive to any potential for cancer risk since my Mom passed away with liver cancer a couple years ago.

I have a Harbor Freight close to me so I'll check it out to see what they have.  I'm pretty sure they have something like this and their prices are normally pretty good.  Thanks again!

[DrewKaree]

Here's that same mask at Harbor Freight - I run past one of those in my weekly travels, but I've never had good luck with finding a decent dust mask in the store.  Your store might be different though, and I know if I don't see it in the store, at least I can order it

Same thing, click the picture for a link to their website.  This is the same one I showed you above.  The colors might be a little different, but that's about it.

[ShinAce]

MDF is the devil of sawdust.

Also...a sheet of 3/4" mdf 4'x8' weighs about 96 pounds. When I buy a sheet, i get them to cut it roughly in half.

[lovespicyfood]

Here's that same mask at Harbor Freight - I run past one of those in my weekly travels, but I've never had good luck with finding a decent dust mask in the store.  Your store might be different though, and I know if I don't see it in the store, at least I can order it

Same thing, click the picture for a link to their website.  This is the same one I showed you above.  The colors might be a little different, but that's about it.

Cool, I'll check it out.  Thanks DrewKaree!

[lovespicyfood]

Also...a sheet of 3/4" mdf 4'x8' weighs about 96 pounds. When I buy a sheet, i get them to cut it roughly in half.

My Home Depot has a sign that says that they are no longer able to cut MDF for their customers.  That's why I initially started this thread because I was thinking that this stuff is probably fairly hazardous.  Then again, I was also thinking that maybe they were going overboard because of liability/workmen's comp concerns.   

96lbs!?  Well, that explains why I dropped my first piece on it's edge and pretty much thrashed that side.  They're 49"X97" sheets so I figure I can just cut off of the "bad part" that I created....my bad.

Thanks for the info!

[hnugz]

thats weird, i got mine cut at home depot about a week or two ago.

[lovespicyfood]

thats weird, i got mine cut at home depot about a week or two ago.

I'm in California, perhpas they have stricter guidelines?

[missioncontrol]

I wouldn't trust the people at my local Home Depot to cut wood for me...

hell I'm surprised they can make it to work...

[MameMaster!]

drew's right....this stuff is something fierce. A dust mask just isn't really sufficient.

My throat hurt for a full day after.....and I wore a dust mask.

[rdagger]

I wouldn't trust the people at my local Home Depot to cut wood for me...

hell I'm surprised they can make it to work...

I guess it depends which Home Depot and who you ask.  I live in California and the Home Depot near my house refused to cut MDF, but I was at another Home Depot near the beach and they cut MDF without objections.  The sick thing is that the HomeDepot that cut the MDF has a McDonalds inside the store.  Also they don't do a very good job maintaining their dust extraction system on their saws.  I can't imagine who would want to eat inside a Home Depot.

btw:  Home Depot sell a mask like the ones above and it has removal dust cover to place over the cartridges.  I have one and it's very comfortable and works great.

[DrewKaree]

I'd ALWAYS get one with removable cartridges now that I've used that style.  The little white ones that just strap on your face are nowhere near as good at sealing off your face.

MDF doesn't create THAT much more dust than cutting plywood, the difference is in the type of dust that's created.  Plywood will have heavier chips and still creates a lot of dust itself, but MDF creates a FINER dust which tends to blow around more. 

I'd think California would have stricter air laws in regards to employee safety, that might be why they won't cut it.

The ONLY reason I use that one is because it can be used for pesticides.  I'm not certain how much less effective the ones at Home Depot are, but I require it for work, and if it filters out pesticide fumes, I know darn sure it'll work for MDF dust. 

I wouldn't suggest doing what I said I do either.  Like anything else you deal with frequently, a lot of times you tend to take shortcuts.  Until you lose a finger or suck in a crapload of dust, you tend not to even realize you're doing it

Oh, and that thing's $20 for a reason.  You can replace the filters, whereas those white paper masks are cheap for a reason - they're meant to be disposable.  SKIP those.  I promise those filters won't go bad if you don't actually USE the mask for a few months, so your lungs will be better off and they'll thank you for spending the "extra" $18

[lovespicyfood]

Oh, and that thing's $20 for a reason.  You can replace the filters, whereas those white paper masks are cheap for a reason - they're meant to be disposable.  SKIP those.  I promise those filters won't go bad if you don't actually USE the mask for a few months, so your lungs will be better off and they'll thank you for spending the "extra" $18

Let's see, $20 mask or lung transplant...  I think I'll splurge and spend the extra $18! 

[shawnzilla]

Oh yes, drop the dough on a more expensive mask. Your lungs will thank you! When I was building my cab, there was an occassion or two where I didn't wear a mask (big mistake!).

[Xiaou2]

 Just a heads up...  If anyones gona do a good deal of work with MDF.. I highly suggest gettting a true Dust collector.    Harbor Freight sells a protable one for about $100.

 They also have hose kits for about 30$ I believe.  Comes with long hose, several connection splitters that can be open and closed.

 I have one of thiers, 1 hp,  and hooked it to the bottom of my tablesaw.  I sealed the table saw base with some high density foam I found - stuffed into the areas where air would escape.  Some areas I hot glued thin plastic sheets.   So, mostly airtight..
 
 Upon turning the  collector on,  theres almost No dust at all.   A little flys off the top surface, but it stays on the wood and not in the air.  The air is clear and no visible dust.. unlike before when I didnt have the collector : clouds of dust everywhere, and the dust settleing all over the room covering everything I owned!

 Highly recomended.  Even if not working with mdf.   

 Ohh, in addition to that, I later bought an air ionizer as well.   model   XJ-2100.   Got from ebay.  60,000,000 ions per cubic cm!   Quite amazing.  Will clear dust as well as eliminate smoke smell from burnt wood, or any other oder or fumes, rapidly.

 http://cgi.ebay.com/XJ-2100-Highest-Power-Ionic-Purifier-Ionizer-on-Market_W0QQitemZ6033110665QQcategoryZ43510QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 

[deadkenndys1105]

I just started my cabnet today and um using this stuff inside a grage. The next time I go out to work on it im using a mask.

[Bones]

I got so many colds while building my cab. I put it down to using a paper mask for most of the construction.

Buying the type Drew is talking about would be just about the smartest thing you could do right now.

[danny_galaga]

I got so many colds while building my cab. I put it down to using a paper mask for most of the construction.

no, it's cos you're frail and weak 

i used paper masks too. unfortunately i didnt know how to use the router properly when doing the t-mold slots so its was burning the mdf. thats a fierce stench. i probably shaved ten years off my life doing that 

yeah, and dont forget ear muffs/plugs. muffs are easier to whip on and off...

[lovespicyfood]

WOW, thanks for all the replies!!!!

This MDF is serious stuff and I'm so glad to learn from your experiences.  I'm surprised Project Arcade doesn't go into more detail about the hazards while working with MDF...

I'll probably make my sawboards today.  I bought a 1/2" 4X8 piece of MDF for this so I'll be buying that mask at Harbor Freight before I start.  Thanks again for all your advice!

This is really addicting stuff, I was dreaming about cutting MDF last night...   

[DrewKaree]

This is really addicting stuff, I was dreaming about cutting MDF last night...   

Bones, our plan is coming along nicely!  MUAHHHAAAHAHHHAHHAHHAHAHAAA!

[jcrouse]

I'm in California, perhpas they have stricter guidelines?

Now there's a good one.

John

[kelemvor]

I have a vacuum hooked up to my saw so when it cuts, 90% of the dust goes straight into the vacuum.  Then I'd just wear a normal dust mask ontop of that.

Or hold your breath and cut real fast.  heh.

[bionicbadger]

The paper masks are fine.  They keep the dust out of your nose/mouth which is the whole point.  What else do you want?

The stuff wont kill you either (at least not right away  ).  Yes it makes a bunch of dust, and its unpleasant to breath in, but unless you live in a bubble, you've already breathed in much worse stuff in your life.

Just use common sense.

[danny_galaga]

The paper masks are fine.  They keep the dust out of your nose/mouth which is the whole point.  What else do you want?

The stuff wont kill you either (at least not right away  ).  Yes it makes a bunch of dust, and its unpleasant to breath in, but unless you live in a bubble, you've already breathed in much worse stuff in your life.

Just use common sense.

unless, like me you burn the mdf while cutting it! then a chemical type mask would be much safer...

[Mark70]

I bought a $20 mask at Canadian Tire (Canadian hardware store chain) which had a rubber mask and a canister like fitting which accepts filter inserts.  It wasn't truely a canister mask, but it worked well.  I tell you, after seeing the crap caught in the filter it's the best $20 I ever spent. 

If you live near an auto maker, find a buddy to "borrow" a couple of masks from the paint shop.

[nostrebor]

 Just a heads up...  If anyones gona do a good deal of work with MDF.. I highly suggest gettting a true Dust collector.    Harbor Freight sells a protable one for about $100. <snip>

If you buy a dust collector, do some research first. A Harbor Freight DC can be a good choice (I own the 2 HP one) but, the filter bags MUST be addressed. You want bags that will filter down to 1 or .5 microns. Grizzly tools carries them that will fit HF DCs, or there are cartridge kits available as well. If you use the HF bags, you will filter out the particles that you can SEE, but not the ones that do the most DAMAGE. Be very careful with assuming that a DC will protect your lungs. Wear a cartridge based mask as well.

Edit: linkage added to Wynn's site with more info about the canister filters.

http://www.wynnenv.com/9e300bl_conversion.htm

Edit 2: Linkage added for Bill Pentz's site. Premier authority on woodworking DC and the hazards of breathing WW dust... Pack a lunch

http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/DCConversion.cfm