Page 16 - Australian Wood Review №103 2019
P. 16
TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
3M Respirator 6211 Left: Adjustable straps
and a soft contoured face
profile give a very good
air seal.
Reviewed by Raf Nathan
Below: Pre-filters (left) fit
over main filter cartridges.
A reusable mask with filter cartridges
is pretty well essential nowadays
given the level of protection they offer
to woodworkers against hazardous
dust and fumes
This 3M mask uses twin organic
vapour filters as well as fibre pre-
filters. The latter are there to keep the
main filters clean. It is rated by 3M as $60
suited to paint spraying, solvents and
pesticides. Woodwork dust and fumes
fall under these categories. For trade
or part-time woodworking this mask
is very suitable when working in spray
booths, sanding or machining wood as
well as applying various polishes.
The way the mask fits with adjustable Initially I wore the mask while using
straps and a soft contoured face a carnauba based wax which has an
profile means the air seal is very good. offensive smell on application. Fitting
These masks are cumbersome to the 3M mask gave instant relief from
wear and on a hot day can be a sweat all odour and I now regularly wear the
box, however the superior air filtration mask for a range of jobs.
is worth any minor discomfort. They
are not recommended for those with Vapour filters have a limited life
beards! The cartridges are positioned on exposure to air and therefore
to the side and so allow quite good need to be stored in an airtight
vision compared to simpler masks that container such as a simple kitchen
have one filter in the middle. plastic type. The outer pre-filters years if cleaned and maintained
can be changed when visibly dirty. between use, however be aware
Whilst I no longer spray finishes this The vapour filter cartridges can that sweat left inside the mask
mask is still highly useful for applying be changed on a set schedule or can corrode the plastic.
all sorts of hand and brushed-on wood as soon as any odour or taste is
polishes as well as wearing when detected through the respirator. Raf Nathan is a tool reviewer and
machining and sanding wood. This designer maker who lives in Queensland.
particularly applies when working with Build quality of the mask is good
known irritant woods. and should last a part-timer a few Available from Bunnings Warehouses
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P.O. Box 137 Winston Hills NSW 2153
Tel: (02) 9624 7200 | Fax: (02) 9624 7400
16 Australian Wood Review
