Respirator for casting

[wch]

I wrote 3M and asked for a reccomendation for a respirator for smelting and casting lead; they suggested the 3M8223 respirator as their best answer.
Cheap protection at about $10 on the internet.

[ryokox3]

Thanks, I'll look that one up. Maybe better than what I have.

[DLCTEX]

Not necessary for casting for sure and not for smelting if you stay up wind in a light breeze. I have been smelting and casting for years without a respirator and my lead level was 1 last test.

[EDG]

If you case outdoors just use a fan and blow the stuff away from you.
You get less of it on your clothes etc. too.

[jsizemore]

I never seem to stay upwind of the pot when I'm smelting. With asthma, I ain't going to take a chance. The burning paint and oil/grease seems to be my problem. I use a 3M 6200 half mask with a 2096 filter. So far it's worked fine. When casting I have an exhaust fan from a Jenn-air range over the pot. No respirator.

[bangerjim]

Smelting......mabe. Just stay upwind!

Casting.......NOOOOOOOOT. Not needed. Pure melted lead does not put off anything harmful....unless you spill it or eat while casting and ingest lead. Only thing coming off your pot is the smoke when you use beeswax for reduction of Wn. You DO use wax right? and not sawdust?


bangerjim