Respirator for lots of stone dust-advice please.

[mart]

I have quite a lot of stone cutting to do, and am currently using a Scott profile respirator with twin P3 cartridges . A bit of dust seems to be finding it's way in (maybe I don't have it tight enough on my face).

I have not had problems before, but neither have I been making mushroom clouds of stone dust before!

What respirators do you guys use for this type of job? It's a bit of a faff wearing spectacles, goggles, hearing protection and the respirator. I really like the idea of the all in one mask with hood, all safely sealed in from the dust clouds.

 

[Burdekin]

I use Silverline FFP3 masks with goggles. If doing a lot of stone cutting have a trickle of water from a hose to keep the dust down.

 

[mart]

Can I ask how you set your method, especially with the water hose (which is a good idea). I'm using as small angle grinder (mains electric & extension cable outdoors). The dust cloud just seems to engulf me. Where do you locate your water hose?

 

[Burdekin]

I use a angle grinder or a circular saw. If you have a lot to do I'd get a diamond blade for a circular saw. I just use my old B&Q saw for cutting stone. If there's a lot just set up the hose with a wee trickle onto the stone, or just get someone to help out with the hose or for smaller job I'll just grab a bucket and pour water on the stone and add a bit more water if it gets dusty.

 

[MattF]

If there's someone there to help you, get them to pour steadily from a watering can, else use a hosepipe trickling, as mentioned. You only need enough water reaching the cut to turn the dust to slurry.