What kind of mask do you use when working with MDF?

[cboy]

I was thinking a simple N95 mask will do, but now I'm not so sure.....

[Blanka]

Yes, it will be fine. Alternatively: you will get over inhaling all dust when routing your once-in-a-lifetime cab too.
Or work outside in the wind.

[javeryh]

I never wear a mask - although I definitely should... 

[Haterot]

I wear a standard a simple drywall mask (buy several of them) since I do all my cutting in the garage (My driveway is on a slope). I would love to cut outside. One thing I have found is not so much jig/circular saw cutting but using the router makes an un-godly amount of dust and debris.

I'm not sure how you can cut with no mask javeryh. do you go without eye-wear too?

[ChadTower]

I just do all my MDF work outside.  If I'm routing and it's going to be really messy I set up a fan.  Can't say I ever bother with a mask.

[cboy]

I've read a lot of things recently saying that MDF contains toxic chemicals that you should not be breathing in.  which kinda sucks if true cause i've build many a speaker box when i was in High School without using masks....

[getnate]

I didnt use a mask either. I worked outside or with the garage door open

[javeryh]

I'm not sure how you can cut with no mask javeryh. do you go without eye-wear too?

I always always always wear safety glasses.  I'm a mouth breather so the mask makes it tough for me to breathe without pulling it off every 20 seconds.  After I'm done routing MDF I blow my nose and brown dust comes flying out.  It's gross.   

[ChadTower]

Safety glasses sorta went without even saying.  Using a power tool -> wearing safety glasses.  It's not even a question.

[Gatsu]

I can't say I always wear a mask...because the sawdust usually get built up on my beard and I end up inhaling some anyway....so I just moved my routing setup outside and put a fan right on me to blow the excess away.

Safety glasses are a must....I had a router bit break on me and knowing my luck it woulda hit my face if I hadn't have been wearing the glasses.

[Xiaou2]

Harbor Freight sells a  "Twin Cartridge Respirator"  for $25.   With affordable Replacable cartridges.

 I used this thing to clean the attic when they tore the roof apart.   The thing works
Incredibly well.

 Ive since used it on any MDF wood cutting.

 MDF isnt like typical wood.  Its laced with poisonous chemicals... and when its cut,
its particles are so fine it can stay airborn for like an hour.


 To solve the MDF issues in an even better fashion:

1) Use a Dust Collector.  Hook it to the Tablesaw base, and seal the saw airtight.
2) Use Dust Collector with hose hovering near routing area. (or made downdraft table)
3) Get a High Ion output air cleaner off ebay.  Mine cost about 100$,  and has
like 20 ion pins on it.  It puts so many ions out per minute that its unreal.
Much better than the store sold units.

 The Ion cleaner I use does not have an air filter.  But instead, when the ions hit
MDF particles, the particles fall immediately to the floor... instead of hovering in
the air waiting for you to breath them in.   In conjunction with my dust collector...
the Ion cleaner will remove all traces of MDF and wood burn smells from the air
in about 2 minutes or less.

 Extended Life is well worth the investment of proper equipment should you
feel the need to use mdf.

[ChadTower]

Safety glasses are a must....I had a router bit break on me and knowing my luck it woulda hit my face if I hadn't have been wearing the glasses.

Man I hope your glasses are made of 1/2" Lexan if you think it's going to stop a router bit... 

[Ed_McCarron]

Safety glasses are a must....I had a router bit break on me and knowing my luck it woulda hit my face if I hadn't have been wearing the glasses.

Man I hope your glasses are made of 1/2" Lexan if you think it's going to stop a router bit... 

Doesn't have to stop the bit, just slow it down and deflect it.  Besides, you'd be surprised at how good lexan is at absorbing shock.



Thats in .5 polycarb.  Theres a reason we use it for the robot arenas.

[mwong168]

My brother in-law has been in the wood and furniture trade all his life and he is use to all the dust.  When we took breaks from working on my cabinet to drink some beer I could feel the rough texture down my throat and he laughed at me.  MDF is a mess to work with and at the end when we were cleaning up there was a huge pile of dust and he said would could make another piece of MDF using all that   

I will definately get some masks next time I spend a day working on the rest of my cabinet.

[padstack]

Goalie mask.  You never know when the open ice challenge is going to get too real and snap a puck or two at you...

Actually, the one Xiouu2 references is what I use, only I scored mine for $10 on sale.  I've used it for years with great results.

[Kemet]

Most MDF varieties come with a fairly high percentage of urea formaldehyde resin.  The manufacturers say most people wont be effected by it and that only those with a "sensitivity" need to avoid it but youd be best off wearing a respirator to to be sure.  You can get one for reasonably cheap, just make sure you replace the cartridges regularly.  I got a used one for 2$ at a used store and bought new cartridges for 8$ at the local hardware store.  There are formaldehyde free MDF's but I cant say as Ive ever seen one at the stores I go to.

[fjl]

Looks like some people are getting use of my fan tip. Using it to blow dust away before it reaches you. 

[nox771]

Do yourself a favor and go to Home Depot or similar and get one of the 3M respirators.  Something like this - 3M respirator

They are something like $20-$30 and are worth every penny.  Nice thing is the filters eliminate vapors (not just dust), so you can work with spray paint, contact cement, etc, and you won't smell a thing.

I use mine all the time - grinding metal, mixing portland cement, cutting MDF.  Asbestos isn't the only nasty particulate you don't want to inhale.  Risk lungs to save $20, uh no thanks...

[r32]

I use 3M Respirator Masks. No use taking any chances and if you knew the processes involved in manufacturing MDF sheets, you'd probably choose a 3m Respirator Mask as well.  

This is the kind I use. The filters are replaceable with various types, depending on the type of material you are working with.

[DillonFoulds]

I used to play a lot of halo, but the little kids yelling about raping me just got too old...