If you’re anything like me, you don’t love wearing a dust mask.
I am a sweater person so wearing a mask makes me sweat more. It traps in my hot air, making me very uncomfortable.
You may wonder, « Do I really need a dust mask for woodworking? »
Most likely, the answer is yes.
Even if your shop vacuum is connected to your bandsaw and you do other dust-reducing activities, there will still be dust. Woodworking dust is very fine and small. It is not a good idea to breathe in that dust.
This guide will help you to choose the best dust masks for woodworking.
WHAT IS A MASK FOR?
According to the National Health Admin, wood shop air should not contain more than 1mg/cubic meter during a 10-hour session. This is a small amount of dust and it is not possible to avoid using all the tools such as routers, bandsaws, and sanding powder.
A dust mask is essential for woodworkers who do it often or intend to do so. It should be comfortable and effective.
DISPOSABLE WOODWORKING DUST MASK
Disposable dust masks will be the most affordable option. They aren’t the most comfortable, and are usually only available in one size. This means that the fit can often be less than ideal.
It can be difficult to fit the mask around your nose properly. This is especially important if you’re doing a long woodworking session. Because you have saved some money, you don’t want to continue looking at masks.
3M’s N95 Dust Particle Mask is the best disposable mask for woodworking.
The N95 meets or exceeds NIOSH N95 standards recommended by the CDC and WHO to health care workers who treat airborne diseases.
This is because not all masks can filter fine dust particles. This mask is not recommended. You should consider a multi-layered mask that can filter fine dust particles.
WHY WE LIKE IT
- Comfy Straps This allows for a more secure fit than single straps. This is the perfect size for a disposable face mask.
- High Quality Materials It is more comfortable than disposables and does the job of keeping dust out.
REUSABLE DUST MASKS FOR WOODWORKING
A reusable mask is a great option if you are looking to go higher.
Although you may spend a bit more upfront, eventually your dust mask will be washable and can be reused.
The Comfy Mask is the best reusable dust-mask for money.
As you can see, it is made of jersey-like material. This makes it much more comfortable for long days than a disposable mask. You won’t feel as hot behind it as with a disposable mask. It actually breathes a little.
WHY WE LIKE IT
- You’ll feel cooler inside the mask than disposables.
- Easy to wear This is a comfortable, lightweight and easy-to-wear piece of clothing that fits over your head with a flexible material
- You can use it 100 times This mask is rated to be washed and reused 100x, which means you will save money compared to disposable ones
It can be reused multiple times so you won’t feel guilty about using it in your yard for other projects than woodworking.
THE CADILLAC OF DUST MASKS
A power air respirator can take your breathing to the next level.
Is it worth it
It’s up to you.
It is, however, the Cadillac of dust masks. This means that you will pay a Cadillac price.
The constant airflow of a power respirator ensures that you remain cool. This is a bit excessive, as you could use it for lead or asbestos treatment.
We only dealt with fine particle wood dust in our case.
The 3M Powerflow air purifier is the best choice if you want to use a power respirator.
WHY WE LIKE IT
- Air Flow This constant air flow keeps you cool and comfortable while working for long hours.
- Fog-Free This device does a fantastic job keeping the fog off of the glass, thanks to the airflow. The visibility is amazing.
- Multi-purpose This is a mask that can protect you from almost all situations, not just woodworking dust.
This is a good investment if you’re a serious woodworker. However, it’s hard to overlook the fact that you could buy hundreds of disposable masks at a fraction of the cost of acquiring specialized equipment like this.
We hope this helped you make your decision.
