DAE cough all night after a day in the shop?

I mean, I love building cabinets, but the sawdust is no joke. After a full day of sanding, I can feel it deep in my sinuses. It's like a constant tickle that won't go away, even after I shower and change clothes. I lay in bed and just cough and sneeze, which keeps me awake for hours. I've tried those cheap dust masks, but they fog up my safety glasses and make it hard to breathe. Idk, maybe it's just me, but this lack of sleep is starting to affect my joinery. I made a stupid mistake on a dovetail yesterday because I was so tired. Has anyone found a better way to deal with this, or am I doomed to restless nights?

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3 Comments

nathan_barnes6mo ago

Yeah, those cheap dust masks are useless for fine sawdust. I switched to a respirator with P100 filters, and it made a huge difference in how I feel at night. Your lungs and your joinery will thank you for the investment.

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bailey.miles6mo ago

Totally get what @nathan_barnes means, my old mask left me blowing black stuff out my nose for hours. Switched to a proper respirator last year and it's like night and day difference.

4

amymurray6mo ago

Honestly, that coughing thing is no joke and it's super common. Tbh, while a better respirator helps a ton, it's only part of the fix. If your shop itself is full of dust, you'll still breathe it in after you take the mask off. Things like air cleaners or just wetting down surfaces before cleanup can make a big difference. Ngl, I learned the hard way that skipping on shop air flow meant I was sneezing for days. So yeah, look into both your gear and your space to really sleep easy.

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