My wife is always nagging me about breathing in the lead fumes even though I cast outdoors. Who would have guessed they make a special mask for that. Thanks for the great video.
Thanks for the excellent primer on respirators for metal melting! ...Now for some more research to see if there's one that covers lead, zinc oxide, and as many other potentially hazardous metal fumes that might be present as alloying elements in the variety of metals I'd like to start casting. 👍
As for respirator selection the gold standard in my opinion is 3M “gel” masks, I think they’re a very pliable silicon. I’m a boilermaker and I spend most of my time in a respirator, if you want to be happy with your purchase get one of those and get the flip latch model, they’re not expensive. The flip latch is like a quick connect lever that’s over the exhalation valve that allows it to go from hanging down below your chin to donned properly on your face in about one second, only the half masks have this feature. If your full face is fogging you may have a bad fitment, unless you’re sweating extremely excessively. Again I work in environments upwards of 50 Celsius and fogging isn’t a huge issue for me although it could be something 3M does with their lenses.
That's interesting; I've heard of different lens coatings for things like fog, but never spoken to someone with real experience. Thanks for sharing your insights. I wouldn't last 10 minutes in 50 degree heat, so good on you, mate.
Honestly, it's more art than science. With the particulate matter it's easier as you can just see a buildup of greyish grime. The charcoal filtration is a different matter; I tend to err on the side of caution and replace them when I can start to smell fumes or after a year of storage, whichever comes first. For the $40 or so they cost it's just not worth fooling around.
The p100 filter is the one I use at work when welding on galvanized or painted units and they recommend that the same way you I put my whole respirator in a sealed bag to keep the charcoal fresh but at work they recommend every month to replace it it seems a little extreme but if they want to pay for them that's okay with me
I think you're right, a month probably would be way too often for us as bullet-casters, but in the case of someone like yourself who's likely welding on a daily basis I'm sure they'd wear out much faster.
Careful with the stuffing of the paper into the mask, it can damage the delicate valves. Silicone can develop a memory and won't seal properly. It is best to store it in the zip lock closing bags they come in, or a bag you have. Always inspect your mask and the valves and face seal before use.
My wife is always nagging me about breathing in the lead fumes even though I cast outdoors. Who would have guessed they make a special mask for that. Thanks for the great video.
A tale as old as time
Thanks for the excellent primer on respirators for metal melting! ...Now for some more research to see if there's one that covers lead, zinc oxide, and as many other potentially hazardous metal fumes that might be present as alloying elements in the variety of metals I'd like to start casting.
👍
Glad you found it helpful.
What’s inside a multi-gas respirator filter/canister?
Probably a whole lot of activated charcoal.
As for respirator selection the gold standard in my opinion is 3M “gel” masks, I think they’re a very pliable silicon. I’m a boilermaker and I spend most of my time in a respirator, if you want to be happy with your purchase get one of those and get the flip latch model, they’re not expensive. The flip latch is like a quick connect lever that’s over the exhalation valve that allows it to go from hanging down below your chin to donned properly on your face in about one second, only the half masks have this feature. If your full face is fogging you may have a bad fitment, unless you’re sweating extremely excessively. Again I work in environments upwards of 50 Celsius and fogging isn’t a huge issue for me although it could be something 3M does with their lenses.
That's interesting; I've heard of different lens coatings for things like fog, but never spoken to someone with real experience. Thanks for sharing your insights. I wouldn't last 10 minutes in 50 degree heat, so good on you, mate.
how do you know when the filter is "full" and needs to be changed?
Honestly, it's more art than science. With the particulate matter it's easier as you can just see a buildup of greyish grime. The charcoal filtration is a different matter; I tend to err on the side of caution and replace them when I can start to smell fumes or after a year of storage, whichever comes first. For the $40 or so they cost it's just not worth fooling around.
The p100 filter is the one I use at work when welding on galvanized or painted units and they recommend that the same way you I put my whole respirator in a sealed bag to keep the charcoal fresh but at work they recommend every month to replace it it seems a little extreme but if they want to pay for them that's okay with me
I think you're right, a month probably would be way too often for us as bullet-casters, but in the case of someone like yourself who's likely welding on a daily basis I'm sure they'd wear out much faster.
Great information, thanks!
Happy to help.
TATV Canada I also found a Honeywell mask for $38 USD on Amazon
That's a sweet deal.
Careful with the stuffing of the paper into the mask, it can damage the delicate valves. Silicone can develop a memory and won't seal properly. It is best to store it in the zip lock closing bags they come in, or a bag you have. Always inspect your mask and the valves and face seal before use.
also cheapest respirator isn't worth jack if you lose your job cause you get brain damage from breathing fumes XD
A solid point. I'd have to go into politics.