vj wrote:

]So use a decent mask.

what IS a decent mask? i know it's probably been mentioned somewhere
before, but i seldom have time to search newsgroups.

right now, every mask i try to wear means i end up with foggy glasses
and can't see [in addition to being uncomfortable enough to be
completely distracting!] i seem to need to wear SOMETHING, because i
come home from the shop every night with my nose full of silver dust.
i wear a face shield at the torch/centrifuge, but i'd really like to
find something relatively effective/comfortable to wear at the bench.

Peter was referring to the use of a mask when grinding shell. I spend
hours and hours wet-grinding shell to make wampum, and I use a
respirator that's EPA approved
for hazardous environments. It has an air compressor, a long hose, and a
hood you put over your head. Available through Grainger. But that's
overkill (excuse the pun) for benchwork. The shell grinding is done
under a hood with a strong air flow -- for extra protection. Made that
from a big centrifical fan from an old forced hot air furnace.

Don't know what you use for suction at your buffing station, but this
should be a major part of your system for not breathing dust and lint.
In fact, a good vacuum cleaner setup should get most of the stuff. Then,
you can get away with using a less troublesome mask.