Tyvek suit source?

cantstopnow · Post by **cantstopnow** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 9:55 am

I am looking for source recommendations for tyvek suit for the grinding out stage. I tried it with long sleeved shirt and respirator/eye protection/hat and that was just a bad idea.
Also any additional advise on keeping this process as safe as possible from a contamination standpoint is appreciated.
I am working with an angle grinder with 60 grit flap disc and boy does the dust fly!

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:13 am

You're on the right track.
Full-body tyvek suit is a good idea for intense grinding, I think the yellow ones are worth the cost if you're working inside the boat, where the white ones are prone to tearing as you pretzel yourself around. Tape the cuffs.

This carries a higher pricetag, but I swear it's the best move you could make: a proper full-face respirator. Really.

Nitrile gloves, taped to the suit cuffs.

I get all this stuff from Jamestown, but really only because I'm too lazy to price-hunt other sources. You may be able to spend less elsewhere.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:50 pm

I couldn't agree more with Figment on the suggestion to get a full face respirator. I did the vast majority of the interior grinding on one of my projects with a standard respirator and goggles, and it was miserable. Finally, when time came to do all the overhead grinding in the cabin, I gave up and bought a 3M full face respirator on ebay. Absolutely the best money I spent on that project. I couldn't believe the difference it made when you don't have to constantly remind yourself to not wipe sweat or dust off your face with a fiberglass encrusted hand!

radicalcy · Post by **radicalcy** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:51 pm

A bit off topic, but, you can duct tape a wet/dry vacuum nozzle to the grinder, on the exit side, and cut way down on the dust. It's not elegant, but it works. And it's alot cheaper than the Festool version.
I agree with the others relative to the full face respirator. I'm sure that I absorbed lbs of bottom paint into my system thru the skin and eyes before I invested in a Shop Vac and respirator.

cantstopnow · Post by **cantstopnow** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:08 am

Ok, I went to the treasure chest for a few handfuls of gold for this one but I have thought of plenty of ways to justify keeping my lungs safe. I ordered this from Jamestown Distributers for $270.65. Photo to follow when I figure out why I can't get it to post properly. In lew of the photo I ordered the 3M 7800 Full face respirator.

Post by **Tim** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:46 am

Your health and well being are well worth $270.65. You won't regret the expenditure on the full face mask.

At that price, though, you're halfway there to the cost of the grandaddy of comfort and protection: the supplied air system. You can get a basic supplied air system for around $600. This investment may be worthwhile, particularly if you ever have designs on spraying Awlgrip. But even for plain grinding, I have found the supplied air system to be 100% invaluable.

I never wear Tyvec suits because I find them hot, uncomfortable, and they always rip moments after being donned, rendering them useless anyway. I'm fortunate, however, in that I am not particularly bothered by the residue of fiberglass grinding (I grind in shorts and a t-shirt in the summer...). I just get dusty and then blow down afterwards. At worst, I experience a minor sensation that reminds me of the day's work, but no serious inflammation or irritation.

For the large majority who are adversely affected by fiberglass dust, Tyvec that is taped at all the cuffs is a sound bet. Note that if you don't tape the cuffs and wear gloves, etc. that the fiberglass irritation will be even worse where the dust gets under and chafes...

I'm not familiar with the yellow Tyvec, but it sounds like a good bet.

cantstopnow · Post by **cantstopnow** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:10 am

Thanks Tim.
Does this air pump setup add onto the respirator that I purchased? I wonder aloud...

Post by **Tim** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:17 am

I think just about all full face respirators are designed to be converted to supplied air. Each is different, but I suspect that you could.

I am beginning to search for a new mask for my supplied air system, since my old one won't last forever.

cantstopnow · Post by **cantstopnow** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:19 am

Tim,
I am seriously interested in going the supplied air route but the more I search the more questions I have. I appreciate your help and I don't want to badger you with all the questions. Can you direct me to a source that I could call regarding the available products and my particular needs.
I would love to find something used at a good price but my ignorance of the products makes me hesitant.
Thanks, Rick

Post by **Tim** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:44 am

Rick,

I bought my primary supplied air system on Ebay. I wrote a brief description of the system a few years ago; rather than retype it, here is the link to a page with my description and some photos of the equipment. The mask that came with this particular system is vastly superior to the ones that come with the basic systems that I've described below, but I haven't been able to find an exact replacement online anywhere.

Link: My Willson Supplied Air System

I acquired a second supplied air system from a friend a while back. The basic system is the same, but this particular one uses a slightly less powerful air pump and a different mask. This one is very similar to the basic setup that you can find on the SAS Safety website:

Link: SAS Safety

The prices on this website are high, but I've seen this system elsewhere for closer to the price I quoted, such as at Tool Paradise:

Link: SAS Supplied Air System at Tool Paradise

The mask in this basic system is no great shakes--not real comfortable. You might be able to buy the pump and parts to convert your nice 3M mask, rather than buying the complete system. The PVC hose that came with this system is annoyingly kinky and never lays flat. My Willson system has a softer red air hose more like a good quality air compressor hose. You can buy hoses, of course, but they're supposed to be breathing-air certified (not the technical term).

All these systems are essentially the same, and use the same Gast pumps. I have used mine substantially since purchase, and have done no maintenance whatsoever. I now reach for this mask for just about any sanding task; it's just so much more comfortable with the fresh air to breathe, rather than sucking through a cartridge that gets increasingly difficult as the cartridge becomes clogged. Plus, with supplied air, the facemask never fogs on the inside--which happens frequently with regular full face respirators.

Let me know if I can help further.

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:00 am

Yellow Tyvek Suits

I see that the yellow is a layer of polyethelene.
These suits do NOT breathe. Not even one little bit. On an even moderately warm day, you'll sweat off a few pounds.
And yes, they do cost twice as much.

Still, if you have a lot of grinding to do and want to just knock it all out in one marathon session, they're the real deal.

One quick tip: When you take a coffee break, vacuum the dust off your head, particularly around the face-hole of the hood, before you crack the seal on your mask. An amazing amount of dust collects there.

cantstopnow · Post by **cantstopnow** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:06 am

Thanks.
I will post results of my setup in the shops and facilities section when it is working. :)

Post by **Tim** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:24 am

Figment wrote:I see that the yellow is a layer of polyethelene.
These suits do NOT breathe. Not even one little bit. On an even moderately warm day, you'll sweat off a few pounds.

Worse, what they don't tell you is that the suits automatically make you crunch into really cheesy poses.

cantstopnow · Post by **cantstopnow** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:40 am

Still, it's better than this pose.

catamount · Post by **catamount** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:05 pm

Regarding supplied air respirators, if it's just dust you're worried about (vs. organic vapors), take a look at the offerings from Airware America: http://www.airwareamerica.com/i

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:34 pm

hmmmmmyeah, I think you're due an upgrade from the ski goggles and paper mask! Pantyhose over your head probably would do more for you.

(good stuff)

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:53 am

Supplied air is the way I go for a lot of stuff. I have a full beard and respirators just don't cut it. Add to that the glasses I need to see up close which always seem to fog with a cartridge respirator and it even makes more sense. Put the compressor out where the air is clean and fresh and you know you are safe. For small projects, or the rare occasion some people have to use one make the expense hard to swallow, but if you do much work with hazardous stuff then you can't even contest the expense.

Mark.Wilme · Post by **Mark.Wilme** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:17 pm

If anyone wants to find a source for Tyvek suits in bulk and try splitting them let me know, it worked well for me with oil pads

cantstopnow · Post by **cantstopnow** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 1:04 pm

Ok after extensive research and And two sub committee advisory reports I am taking the experienced forum advice.
I am returning this....

I have ordered this...

Thanks for all the input.