Well, the box of 3M made N95 masks that I had bought last year around Christmas 2019 is almost empty, and when I try to buy a box to replace it, all the suppliers locally seem to not have them. Grainger Industrial Supply, the local and big-box hardware stores, Amazon, etc, nobody has American-made N95 masks in stock and they wont tell me when they are going to get resupplied.
Do any of my SIGFORUM friends have a lead on where else I might look for them? I refuse to buy Chinese-made fakes that some places sell.
Thanks in advance.
-Sid

By "filter", do you mean the exhalation valve like those used in construction?


I doubt you are going to find the real 3M masks anywhere other than gougers on eBay. The N95 supply is being completely diverted through FEMA and state emergency management agencies. Even the biggest dental suppliers like Patterson can't purchase directly from 3M right now.

MNSIG - Thanks for the info. Well, yes, I used the word "filter" instead of the correct term.

The 3M masks are actually made in vietnam, with many of the masks KN94's, currently coming out of Korea, with a lot of similar products coming out of China.

3M shipped the materials to Vietnam to have the masks made, and then flew them back.

Ask how I know.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
3M shipped the materials to Vietnam to have the masks made, and then flew them back.

Ask how I know.

Is it because you were recently reassigned from flying rubber dog shit out of Hong Kong to flying fabric face masks out of Hanoi?

During the last six months or so some mask production was moved back to the US according to some of the early press updates given by the POTUS and his team. So I think made in the USA should be able to be obtained if not right at the moment at some point in the near future I would think.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:


Is it because you were recently reassigned from flying rubber dog shit out of Hong Kong to flying fabric face masks out of Hanoi?

Still flying rubber dogshit, actually...

quote:

sidss1

How many do you need?

An FYI, the masks with vents defeat the main benefit of people wearing masks. It allows your (or others) contaminated exhaust to go unfiltered into the air around you.

The main benefit of mask wearing is that is stops your contaminated air from getting to others, and theirs to you.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LBTRS,

Slight thread drift, does anyone know where I can buy USA made rubber dogshit? I’d like to support our economy.

No, but if it helps, the hong kong dog shit is made from molds of exported genuine US dogshit; pick the dog of your choice, faithfully reproduced by people living in 2X3 cubicles and whipped by overdressed hoards of chinese communists, and sent lovingly to your doorstep by your choice of amazon, fedex, ups, usps, dhl, or that kid that delivers your newspapers.

I had a few of the 3M N95 masks with valves before this all started. I just roll up a piece of paper and slide it in through the guard over the valve to prevent the valve from opening. Simple and it prevents unfiltered air from getting out.

Our health care facility had me wear a surgical mask over my N95 mask with a valve; wouldn’t allow the N95 by itself due to its lack of protection for others.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:

Still flying rubber dogshit, actually...

Still love ya', regardless.

Remain alert up there.

quote:

Originally posted by LBTRS:
An FYI, the masks with vents defeat the main benefit of people wearing masks. It allows your (or others) contaminated exhaust to go unfiltered into the air around you.

The main benefit of mask wearing is that is stops youe contaminated air from getting to others and theirs to you.

This. To the extent that the mask thing accomplishes anything, it is mostly defeated by the vents. Also. You might as well be wearing a regular surgical mask if you haven’t been properly fit-tested for the N95. It won’t be doing the “95” part for sure if you aren’t wearing it properly.

-Rob

quote:

Originally posted by downtownv:

quote:

sidss1

How many do you need?

downtownv- Thank you, I was hoping to buy a box of 25 individual masks. But, since, they are not available, I would settle for a much smaller number, maybe, something like 5 individual masks.
Alternatively, I am looking to find some KN95 masks in case my search for N95 masks is unsuccessful.
Thank you.
-Sid

quote:

Originally posted by sidss1:

quote:

Originally posted by downtownv:

quote:

sidss1

How many do you need?

downtownv- Thank you, I was hoping to buy a box of 25 individual masks. But, since, they are not available, I would settle for a much smaller number, maybe, something like 5 individual masks.
Alternatively, I am looking to find some KN95 masks in case my search for N95 masks is unsuccessful.
Thank you.
-Sid

Sid, Try these guys. The surgical masks are good quality and much softer than the blue ones from China. Looks like they have US made KN95s as well. https://www.rbmedicalsupply.co...s/face-masks-shields

Those are cited as N95, a US specification.

KN95 is a Chinese specification. The main obvious differences to the user will be that the N95 stands up better to inhalation and exhalation pressure (doesn't collapse or lift off the face so much), and the KN95 have a looser fit; they don't fit as well.

Thank you, Moose. I will check out the supplier right away. Thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
Those are cited as N95, a US specification.

KN95 is a Chinese specification. The main obvious differences to the user will be that the N95 stands up better to inhalation and exhalation pressure (doesn't collapse or lift off the face so much), and the KN95 have a looser fit; they don't fit as well.

Yes, you're right. I meant to leave the K off of there. By the way, they sent me a coupon for 15% off of my next order. Try CELEBRATE15 if you place an order.