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Just getting to where I'm going to be cutting some abalone inlays, so it's time to decide on my dust safety strategy.

My current plan is to do all my cutting and flush sanding outside the house, with a big fan blowing the dust away from me. Simple, effective, and cheap. But I would feel better with at least some basic protection from dust caught in random wind currents going backward. So what would you all consider to be "good" dust masks? Or are they a total waste of time, since the smallest, baddest bits of shell might go right through anyway?

To be sure, something like the 3M 6291 Particulate Half Mask Respirator would offer fullest protecton at reasonable cost and will protect even for radioactive particles or asbestos. Remember fit is important, and even a beard or stubble effects seal round the mask. Do not use this type for gas or vapours, and they have a fixed life of use before filters have to be replaced.
The nuisance masks are a bit difficult to get a good seal around the face.
I googled and found for $23 with filters, spare filters 8 bucks a pop, so price is reasonable.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I heard it was proven to be carcinogenic?

I like the North masks. I get mine and filters at the local occupational safety supply store. In my area it is BWS. I use the disposable screw in filters. If I am spraying paint or lacquer I just screw in the right filter. It is really important to get a mask that fits well and is comfortable. I use your fan technique when I'm welding. I have herd that the abalone dust is more of a problem than most dusts. I have a wet saw so do most of my shell cutting with that.

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http://goatrockukulele.com

I made a shell cutting station with a dust collection port on it that hooks up to my cyclone. As soon as the dust is made it disappears into the dust collection "slot" right behind the cutting action. It collects the nacre dust from both above and below the table.



Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

Thanks guys. The 3M 6291 or North masks look like just what I need. Much better than I was expecting to get for $20-30.

Edward: AFAIK, shell dust is not carcinogenic, but does cause silicosis. Basically the little shell shards stick in your lungs, and if you can't cough them out, you grow tiny lumps of skin around them, which are permanent. No problem at first, but very bad if you keep accumulating them over the years.

Dave: Thanks for the photos. I was considering adding one of those dust ports to my cutting station, but the vacuum probably wouldn't be as effective for sanding, so I'll most likely stick with the fan as my main way to get rid of shell dust.

Do you have a screen or something over the DC inlet to catch the odd piece of shell that might get loose?

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I don't Steve. I've not lost a piece yet, but I'm sure I will. A buddy of mine told me to stretch some women's nylon material over the inlet ports. Maybe one day I will.....

Cheers,
Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

While the dust is listed in OSHA as a nuisance hazard any way you can keep it out of your lungs is a good thing. I use a simple aquarium pump to blow the dust off the work. It is heavier than air and drops to the floor. I love all the designs , it is interesting to see how people do things.
thanks for the ideas

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Dennis, thanks for the correction, that still does not sound like something you would want in your lungs.

Dave, you must have your cyclone running an awful lot when it comes time to do an inlay.

Yes it will scar your lung tissue and blowing it all over the shop and your clothes is to be avoided in my opinion. But if you want to be hooked up to an oxigen tank later in life that's your choice.
Here's my setup modeled after Larry Robinson's. I put a piece of panty hose over the 2" vacuum hose to catch those pieces that get away from you. I use a HEPA filter on the vacuum or exaust it outside. Just wack the top off a 2" PVC 90 and hole saw the board and make a hood and epoxi it together and your good to go. I also use a footswitch to control the vacuum so only running while I'm cutting. If you have enough vacuum hose and an extension cord you can put the vacuum in another room or outside to cut down on the noise.
For a mask use a filter suitable for asbestos.