Posted: 9/12/2014 1:21:14 AM EDT
|
Hey gents. I'm looking to pick up some N95 masks but there are a tun of different brands and model numbers and heck even the photos of each differ. What is the preferred mask?
Thanks. |
|
3M 1870 is by far the best. 3M 1860 is a close second. Moldex are not bad either.
The 1870 works the best when outside in humid environments. The 1860 is cheaper but does not do as well outdoors, better for indoor use. Stay away from Kimberly Clark, Medline, or "Duckbill" type. These are more difficult to get a good seal. If you want better protection go with a half mask with a P100 (HEPA) Filter. |
|
Do you just want dust masks for an actual respirator?
I buy the boxes of 20 3M masks at Lowes for work, the double layer ones with the valve on the front. I use them about 90% of the time for cutting and grinding and they work great. I only break out the respirator for running the big saw or using the charcoal filters for sealer. |
|
Late addition: I lived in a very high-PM, high-VOC city for years, driving regularly on two wheels. I lived by the 3M 8247s. Put one of those on, and I might as well be in the middle of the Rockies. Well maybe not that nice, but they cut out, yup, 95% of the crap and stink. The 8210 was also sufficient, but the stink still got in. If you've got a stink problem, do the 47 with the activated carbon. Otherwise, the carbon's unnecessary and just stick with the standard. |