knightyme Posted December 1, 2016 Report Share Posted December 1, 2016 I'm brand-new to scrolling, well, I'm brand-new to doing anything with wood, aside from burning it in our fireplace. So, I'm going to ask a newbie question, albeit a serious one to me. Does anyone here wear any type of breathing protection, when they work with wood? For the sake of clarity, here are a couple of facts to work with. • I do not have any respiratory issues • the projects I'm concentrating on right now require me to cut (table saw and scroll saw) and sand 3/4" medium density MDF • I have a well-ventilated 30x40 workshop So, what's the reason for my line of questioning? As most of you are more than aware, there is plenty of sawdust flying around my shop. Do I need to be concerned with it? Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sycamore67 Posted December 1, 2016 Report Share Posted December 1, 2016 Yes...you should worry I would invest in some dust collection and try to collect as much as possible at the source. And with MDF, I would wear some type of mask. knightyme and Lucky2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye10 Posted December 1, 2016 Report Share Posted December 1, 2016 Hey Ron and welcome. I wear a mask when I am scrolling or sanding and I also have dust collection that in most cases gets the dust at the source. I bought this cloth mask which is comfortable as you can get for such things. It filters down to 1 micron and I have read that is pretty good. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Silver-Comfy-Mask-by-Breathe-Healthy-For-Dust-Pollen-Allergy-Relief-/232146511014? Lucky2 and knightyme 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTCowpoke22 Posted December 1, 2016 Report Share Posted December 1, 2016 I do when I'm turning on the lathe, but don't when I'm scrolling. I use a particulate mask, the formed one's you can pick up at most any hardware store. knightyme 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted December 1, 2016 Report Share Posted December 1, 2016 (edited) Yes Ron, definitely wear a mask and make sure you have a proper and comfortable fit. The net will provide you with suggestions re: a quality mask. I would suggest not ordering on line. It's best if you can try for fit. Protect your lungs. They'll be glad you had. I use hand tools as much as possible such as hand planes, chisels, wood scrapers and etc. eliminating dust. Much more enjoyable, and quiet than power tools. Edited December 1, 2016 by Ron Johnson Lucky2 and knightyme 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted December 1, 2016 Report Share Posted December 1, 2016 I don't inhale. Exhale only. Scrolling Steve, hawkeye10, amazingkevin and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 I am thinking about one of the cloth washable ones....I have an air cleaner and dust removal system , but still worry ! knightyme 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightyme Posted December 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 Thanks to all for the replies!! I take my health seriously, so I'm masking up!! Lucky2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkey Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 I wear a rubber mask with the two screw on flat filters. Lucky2 and knightyme 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky2 Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 Yes Ron, you should wear some sort of personal protection equipment. You state that you presently have no respiratory issues, well, if you want to keep it that way, protect yourself. Plus, there's nothing worse than the dust from MDF, it's the finest and most chemically laden material there is. To put it bluntly, it's deadly dust! You state that your shop is well ventilated, how is it so well ventilated? Is it just a matter of the doors and windows being open to let the air pass through, is there any type of dust collection in the shop? In all workshops that work with wood of any type, you should wear some sort of protection. If you can't afford a good quality respirator, then if nothing else, wear one of those preformed ones. Personally, I think they are useless, but, others swear by them. I wear a charcoal charged chemical respirator when scrolling, I got used to wearing them at work and I don't mind wearing them. If I'm turning wood on the lathe, I wear a trend air filter system. I have a cloth respirator that I wear when I'm doing other woodwork, I put it on as soon as I enter the workshop. It may seem as if I'm a paranoia case, but, I've seen to many people die of lung related issues. And I'm doing everything I can do for myself, to not be one of them. Len knightyme 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 Thanks to all for the replies!! I take my health seriously, so I'm masking up!! when i'm cutting if i can smell saw dust i move the fans around i have flow thru ventalation! knightyme 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 Dust mask is a must. knightyme 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Scroller Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 Manufactored woods (like Chinese made plywood) are bad but MDF is some of the worse. Has to do with the some chemicals used. I see have a beard so finding a good mask might be a challenge but a mask or respirator is a must. knightyme 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 I defiantly a mask is a must. IKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 I wear a half mask. It doesn't fog my glasses. I am not a fan of the paper masks. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009XAIGY/ref=s9_zwish_hd_bw_bFkSz_g469_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-6&pf_rd_r=CWC2RNRNZF3G4AMA1SPY&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=176aeac9-678b-577e-8809-eeb5a264284c&pf_rd_i=3753541 Check out this site if you need convincing. http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 Wooooooow stop right there get a mask straight away MDF BAD STUFF! in fact all dust bad for them little lungs. I have the trend airace great for people with glasses they don't steam up. https://www.powertoolsuk.co.uk/trend-airace-respirators.html You can get them from most places. Roly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 Wow. MDF is bad stuff, it creates very small dust particles and is not healthy at all. Yes you need a mask and one of good quality. Here is a link for wood toxicity. Best to know what you are dealng with so you can take the proper preventive measures. http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/ Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaughn Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 I have always had problems with getting the masks to seal well around the nose and having my glasses fog up. I recently purchased these and I have been extremely pleased with the seal and the comfort. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AEXIS4S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meflick Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 Another one wearing a mask. Turn on the dust collection system and the air filtration unit hubby has in the shop as well (well, when I remember ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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