[TheForge] The Beard vs. the Respirator

[xlch58 at swbell.net]

Mark Novak wrote:
> I need to ask this question before I shave. I wear a respirator when 
> I'm grinding, so as to minimize the amount of metal dust I inhale, but 
> I have a beard that interferes with the effectiveness of the mask. The 
> guy at my local Safety Store told me in no uncertain terms, "If you 
> don't shave the beard off, the mask will never work properly," which 
> is what I was noticing while wearing it. He told me that there is no 
> respirator that works on guys with beards... they all need skin contact.
>
> Does anyone out there have a beard and wear a respirator effectively? 
> And if so, how did you do it? Did you fill your beard with vaseline? 
> Did you shave a silly looking thin line wear the mask can rest on your 
> skin?
>
> Mark Novak
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I don't have a beard, but I have heard of people using vaseline.  The 
best alternative is a positive air system.  They make battery powered 
units that will clip on your belt.  Not cheap, but .....   I have a 
novatek system myself,connected to a survivair respirator mask.  Fifty 
foot hose.   I use it for shooting Isocyanates.   I used to use a simple 
filter sold for shooting isocyanates, but could smell paint through it, 
so switched to a positive air system.  I shoot once every three years or 
so.  I am looking to get a half mask to go under my welding helmet.

Charles