What type of resperators do you use for welding?

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There was a post about welding and lung health and someone posted about a 3m 7500 series respirator. I have looked into that respirator and it appears and according to the reviews it is a great respirator for welding. I am just seeing of there are any other respirators out there that are just as good or better than the 3m. I have been doing stick, mig and plasma for a few years now, and even though I do it outdoors my hood still gets filled with fumes and I know they cant be good for me, along with all of the abrasives I use. So what do ou guys use and reccomend?Last edited by idiboy; 12-31-2013 at 08:26 PM.
Reply:First of all, you might try a search here as there are a lot of posts on respirators.  But you need to spell it right, not like you did in your title, so you'll get results.I don't know if it was my post you saw or not, but I like the 3M.  Wore it for about 6 hours today, as a matter of fact.  I think I heard someone else had a half-mask respirator out that works under a welding hood, too, but can't remember who it was.  In the 3M's case, there are 3 mask sizes to choose from so you get the best fit.  Remember the mask itself, at least in the 7500's case, is only half of the tool.  You also need the filters, which in 3M's case will be 2091, 2097, etc.  There may be a third one....can't remember right now.  The 2091 is the basic one, and the other two remove nuisance-level organic vapors and...????  On whatever respirator you go for, pay attention to the exhaust location.  The 7500 series exhausts downward, and will keep your shield from fogging up.  Cheaper 3M masks, and masks from other makers I've looked at, exhaust straight forward and will fog your shield in no time.Finally, as a general note, if you want your mask to seal completely, bye-bye facial hair.  I HATE shaving, but on days I'm wearing the respirator, it's necessary.  Anyone who says their respirator gets a perfect seal over their goatee / beard is kidding themselves and likely has never dealt with OSHA fit-testing.  If you're not going to shave, don't bother with a good respirator -- just buy those piece-of-crap glorified dust masks and call it good enough.  Either way, you're going to suck unfiltered air around the side of the mask.Last edited by tbone550; 12-31-2013 at 07:34 PM.
Reply:Miller half mask is what i wear its a nice mask but I weld a lot outdoors so the fumes don't really bother me. I honestly think for welding on mild steel outdoors masks are just a pain but if i welded inside say a ship or welded galvinzed I would buy a mask but since I don't weld a lot of galvanized I really don't feel the need for a mask.Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:Sorry about the spelling.... I struggle with spelling and grammar. I belive it was your post I saw, about the 3m masks. Thanks for the info, I did not even think about the exhaust port on the mask thats a very good point. I am pretty sure I am going to go with the 3m, I just wanted to see of there were any other ones out there. I run alot of 6011's (cant find 6010 in my area) and they throw off a TON of smoke! Even with a slight breeze the smoke still fills the hood.
Reply:I got the miller half mask and after enough fighting with it trying to get it to seal right, I went and got the 3m 7502 with 2097s. Couldn't be happier with it. Very comfortable, low profile fits under the hood well and the breath deflector keeps the masks from fogging.NickESAB CaddyTig 2200iPowermax 45MM140 (Sold)