Comment by amluto
2 years ago
PPE is the wrong solution here. Tools that don’t produce dust are the right solution.
Wet tile saws and waterjets can cut stone (and engineered stone) with essentially no dust. An angle grinder with a dust shroud and HEPA filtered extractor (total cost starts around $400) can do the same thing a regular angle grinder does but with a lot less dust.
And one really can work all day in a pouch-style N95 mask. They don’t collect much more than 95% of fine dust, but they do work, they’re easy to fit, and they’re easy to breathe through. I would wear one for added protection if I were using an angle grinder with a dust extractor. (Although I might use a full mask respirator instead for eye protection. And PAPRs are pretty great if rather expensive.)
> PPE is the wrong solution here. Tools that don’t produce dust are the right solution.
"Essentially no dust" is not "no dust". There are no safe levels of silica that can be introduced to your lungs.
> And one really can work all day in a pouch-style N95 mask
N95 is basically the bare minimum in terms of filters. In my shop I have a shop vac with a tornado tumbler that attaches to tools for fine wood dust and a full face P-100 mask.
This is the one: https://parcilsafety.com/products/pd100-full-face-respirator
Here's the full filter list: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0128/4037/0235/files/Full_...
It’s also worth noting that no one needs to be in the room when cutting with CNC tools. A negative-pressure room with HEPA-filtered exhaust is fairly easy to set up.
There is no safe level of sun exposure in terms of skin cancer, either (although ironically you need Vitamin D, if you don't get it from dietary sources).
There is no safe level of alcohol consumption, there is no safe level of car exhaust fumes, etc.
There are safe levels of alcohol consumption.
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You might look into one of these, I find they're great for getting dust from vertical trim cuts.
https://rousseauco.com/product/rousseau-5000-l-lighted-dust-...
They even have „sun glasses“. Definitely cool. I think PPE is a must, when you work with abrasive tools.
If you ask yourself „should I wear safety equipment“ the answer is always yes.
>pouch-style N95 mask
No profession experience, yet the pouch style I found both uncomfortable at higher temperatures and unreliable. So for a normally hobby/around-the-house work I use only half mask respirator Pretty much, it requires proper shaving to ensure it actually does something.
Angle grinders with dust extraction hoods are extremely effective. I've used one to cut tile, and to cut slits into walls... almost zero dust. It's incredible.
Saves a lot of cleanup time too!