I got a good quality respirator at Home Depot... they have a number of different types. I got the one the filtered out the most... toxic dusts, pesticides, etc. When I mix some real foul smelling stuff with it, like Bondo, I can't even smell it! It has replaceable filters and an exhale valve... much more comfortable and practical than the disposable dust masks. I use it for spraying acrylic paints, cutting PVC (for my SPADs), etc.

I also bought a 20" box fan and a 20" 3M Filtrete AC air filter and taped to to the back of the fan. I turn this on full blast (filter side towards my work area) when I'm cutting or painting... it sucks most of the dust & overspray into the filter...

Yep, the fan sucking away from the area is a great idea also. Could be placed on the end of the work bench and due to the diffusing effect of the filter would probably not disturb and paperwork on the bench. Filter would need monitoring and occasional changing but they are dirt cheap too. Fan could go into a window in many climates where you don't mind losing some a/c or heat. We have a small paint booth here at work and the buildup on it's filters is amazing. We mostly us spray cans too and an occasional paint gun.

Yes, they work good. I have a custom made one that a friend made before he died. Had 2 and I gave one away. Dumbest thing I have done. I wish I had another. Never thought about the fan like phk said. Thats a great idea. Might just have a second one running like that soon. It would be easy to do and they work so good. You should see the stuff it sucks out of the air. Makes it a lot easier to use.

Haha! The first time I used my homemade filter-fan I was spraying red acrylic paint (Createx) on a lexan car body, I had the fan in my window blowing out as a filtered exhaust fan... the filter was pink by the time I was done! It now has a white powdery PVC dust on it as well from me cutting PVC for my SPADs. Larger dust particles still settle and you have to clean that up, but the fine stuff gets sucked into the filter. The 3M Filtrete filters are more pricey than standard filters, but they filter much finer particles, and are "accordian" shaped or zig-zagged to maximize the filter surface area.

I got the box fan for $15 or so, and the filter for $8-$10 or so at Home Depot, and I just taped the filter to the back of the fan with electrical tape... don't need much since the fan suction holds it on there pretty well all by itself! It's cheap way to minimize the mess inside your house or work area, and cut down on the particles you breath in. Wearing a mask or respirator is still a must, though, while you're working.