To: atm{at}shore.net
From: Doug Tanaka 
Reply-To: Doug Tanaka 


At 03:47 PM 12/29/2002, you wrote:


>("atm{at}shore.net")
>
>        Hello all , I have recently bought a respirator from Lowes
> hardware for use in cutting thick
>plate glass. I have done this before but I needed to get a better respirator.
>      The respirator is AOSafety brand and has the two round cylindrical
> canisters on each side
>that can be replaced when  they are spent.  I have looked on the labels
>and info provided with the
>respirator but it says nothing about glass particles.
>        It list the following applications......Paint &
> Pesticide....Solvent & Glue,..Thinner....Dusts & Mists...
>I would assume this respirator would be good enough to use in cutting
>plate glass while keeping
>the cut wet and shielded?? Any comments I know that glass dust is a very
>dangerous thing. I have heard
>all the warnings and respect them.                      RUSS JOCO

Russ,

If you keep the cut wet and wear the mask you should be OK.  However, if
there is any dust and you have a beard, dust can creep between the
respirator and your beard.  I have a beard and do a lot of woodworking so I
use a Racal respirator - a helmet and face shield connected by a hose to a
battery powered forced air filter worn around the waist.  The filtered air
is forced through the tube and into the helmet space creating positive air
pressure.  It is rather expensive but does a fine job of supplying clean
air (and I don't have to shave ;-).  BTW, the filters that came with you
respirator sound like organic vapor filters.  They will work fine but if
you only need to filter particles you might consider getting cartridges
that only filter dust, since they're cheaper, and save the organic vapor
cartridges in case you need it for spray paint, etc.

Doug Tanaka

--- BBBS/NT v4.00 MP