Does a dust mask offer enough protection in a workshop? (particularly a woodshop)?

It has two filters attached to it but i can still smell dust fumes, do i really have to purchase a shop vacuum?Does a dust mask offer enough protection in a workshop? (particularly a woodshop)?
If you are talking about a respirator my bet is that it isn't fitted correctly.


Remove the filters and hold your palms over the holes. If you suck in your breathand it doesn't cling to your face it isn't properly fitted.


Adjust the straps until it does.Does a dust mask offer enough protection in a workshop? (particularly a woodshop)?
You can if you like too. It may help you out too.
I'd give the 10 to JJ, and what you have isn't stricly a dust mask, it's more along the lines of a resiprator type. All his suggestions are valid, with regard to what might work, and what might not, and certainly any Large, High volume wood shop should have auto vac systems in place. If this relates to a DIY at home shop, it can't hurt to have ventilation and vaccum when able.





Steven Wolf
i have a small woodshop and use my shop vac... i also use an overhead air cleaner fron jet to filter the small particulates...its not the big dust that falls to the floor that gets you its the small airborn particles that get into your lungs...follow jj's advice concerning the mask...
Any protection is better than none. The mask you're referring to will work fine.
A dust mask (the paper variety with elastic that covers the nose and mouth area) is not nearly enough protection for your respiratory system if you are doing work with chemicals (staining, painting, varnishing, laquering, etc.)





It's fine for sanding and general dust, though.





You need a good respirator (not a gas mask) for work with those chemicals, and some sort of non-explosive ventillation system.





I worked in a cabinetry shop in the painting department and that is what we had. We also had a dust collection system with ducts, too.





One word of caution...when working in a wood shop, do be very, very careful regarding lights, sparks and flames...they can set sawdust alight (and cause an explosion), and worse yet for those chemicals as they will explode.





And make sure rags used with those chemicals are disposed of in a bucket with water in it and set outside...they will spontaneously combust.





Hope that helped.
Small portable dust collectors (not shop vacs) are relatively inexpensive. They run about $150. Along with helping keep dust out of you they also keep dust down in the shop and keeps you from tracking it into your house. A small portable unit can be moved from machine to machine without installing permanent duct work.





You will need to make or purchase adapters for each machine. I have found metal heating duct material and plastic plumbing fittings easy to adapt to my machines. Most of my equipment is older and pre-made adapter were not available. This was one of the best improvements I made to my shop.
If you have a two canister mask and you still smell fumes there are 3 things to check.


1..Are you getting a good seal around your face. try holding your hands over the canisters and breath in. the mask should collapse to your face and stay there. if not you have a leak.





2..Do you have the correct canisters screwed to the mask.


Canisters are made for lots of different purposes so check that out first.





3.. Did you get dust contamination in the mask or on your face before putting on the mask.





I use a paper mask but I do all my woodworking outside in my yard and haul my equipment out to enjoy the sunshine. For indoor shops you might want to invest in a vacuum system. It not only keeps your shop clean but helps prevent fire hazards from building behind your equipment.