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Cutting MDF and using a DUST mask?

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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:


--- Quote from: DrewKaree on February 05, 2006, 01:54:00 pm ---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 ;)

--- End quote ---

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.

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