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Breathing Systems

T

Thom Schuck

Joined
Mar 4, 2023
Messages
42
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59
Location
Portland, OR
I went and got sick. Really sick. My doctors want me to get going on something better than a mask or respirator. I am thinking about a closed air filtering system. I know there are several out there but anyone have hands on experience on any one of them in particular? I just got over a bought with Pneumonia and my lungs will never be as strong as they were so I really need to clean up my air. Yes I have a ceiling mounted dust filter than runs while I work then for two hours after. I also have a solid dust collector that is properly rigged and I just bought a second “Z Mask”. What’s my next step up? Anyone? Thanks Much!
Thom Schuck
Portland, Oregon
 
Jaramiah Severns said:
I’ve been using a Sundstrom SR 500 PAPR with the 570 model face shield for about a year. It’s been great!
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I've been using the same model for over 2 years now and really like it. I have several friends who also use the same unit, which is how I learned about it, and have had good experiences.
 
I’ve had the 3M Versaflo system with M-206 helmet/visor for about 5-6 years. It has been excellent. It has organic vapor filters available, which I have used when spraying lacquer and other dangerous finishes. The batteries have held up quite well.

Cochlear Implants - my ex and son both have dual implants. The issue with any of these units will be the headband potentially crossing the headpiece wire to the magnetic pickup. If you can wear a hardhat or regular faceshield with headband then these units will work. Depends on where the magnetic piece is located on your head.
 
Ted your welcome to try out my Peke respirator face shield. I'll bring it to the next meeting.
Ceiling mounted dust collectors do remove dust but only after you have breathed it. They circulate the dust and retrieve what it can but you already breathed it. Regular dust collectors do remove quite a bit of dust but you still breath a lot. Blow your nose after a session and you will see. With the Peke respirator you can't even smell the dust. I use it when power carving because I can't get my dust collector close enough.
 
Ted Pelfrey said:
Jaramiah, do you think this unit could be used with hearing aids? Also what about a cochlear hearing aid, their a bit more bulky?Thanks
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I have hearing loss but never have my hearing aid in while working in the shop. I find the noise of the tool on the wood, plus the noise of the cyclone dust collector to be very bothersome. Thus, I always use earplugs (silicone pair connected by a thin cord). I would not want to amplify the noise with the hearing aid, but want to protect whatever hearing I have left.
 
I also have the Sundstrom SE500 for three years now, with a pair of Bluetooth-enabled Zekler ear protectors so I can listen to music and audiobooks as I turn (this model includes a microphone so you can answer your phone if you’re waiting for an important call). Long battery life, and I purchased a second battery, and now when I hear the beep in my hearing protectors signaling that the charge is nearing depletion I can switch out the battery in about 15 seconds and continue turning.
 

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Ted Pelfrey said:
Jaramiah, do you think this unit could be used with hearing aids? Also what about a cochlear hearing aid, their a bit more bulky?Thanks
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Would definitely work with in-ear hearing aids. Not sure about the cochlear implant, but it sits on your head more-or-less like a standard face shield, so if that’s been working the Sundstrom would probably be fine. Might be worth an email to them to confirm, though.
 
john lucas said:
Ted your welcome to try out my Peke respirator face shield. I'll bring it to the next meeting.
Ceiling mounted dust collectors do remove dust but only after you have breathed it. They circulate the dust and retrieve what it can but you already breathed it. Regular dust collectors do remove quite a bit of dust but you still breath a lot. Blow your nose after a session and you will see. With the Peke respirator you can't even smell the dust. I use it when power carving because I can't get my dust collector close enough.
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John, which Peke product are you using? My Airshield is ready to be put out to pasture.
 
My neck got tired of the heavy helmet from my 3M Airstream, and I switched to the Peke Clean Air PAPR last fall. It works well, and is much lighter and easier to wear. As opposed to Jamie, I wanted the hose, so I could put the blower and filter on my belt. No good Tex-Mex up here, so I have no problem with volatile hydrocarbon emissions. My only complaint is that the harness for the helmet is too adjustable--it took a while for me to get it right. It can be worn with a beard, as the air flow can be increased to create enough positive pressure that a perfect fit around the face isn't required. It could be worn with hearing aids, but why would you?
 
I’ve had the Peke CleanAir PAPR for ~5yrs and am very happy with it.

@Ted Pelfrey - it uses the Bionics face shield so if you can wear that, you could wear the CleanAir. I always wear a set of Bose noise canceling earbuds with wires that are connected to battery/electronic half-ring around my neck so hearing aids wouldn’t be a problem. Only issue I would expect is if Bionics headband interferes with cochlear. ON EDIT: just checked Peke’s website and it looks like they no longer use the Bionics facemask, sorry. If you wanted it they may still be able to supply, but would require special discussion I’m sure.

Last I looked I think the CleanAir was priced around $700. Check it out.
 
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Ron Solfest said:
I’ve had the Peke CleanAir PAPR for ~5yrs and am very happy with it.

@Ted Pelfrey - it uses the Bionics face shield so if you can wear that, you could wear the CleanAir. I always wear a set of Bose noise canceling earbuds with wires that are connected to battery/electronic half-ring around my neck so hearing aids wouldn’t be a problem. Only issue I would expect is if Bionics headband interferes with cochlear. ON EDIT: just checked Peke’s website and it looks like they no longer use the Bionics facemask, sorry. If you wanted it they may still be able to supply, but would require special discussion I’m sure.

Last I looked I think the CleanAir was priced around $700. Check it out.
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The reason I love their newer helmet is that one can flip it up, which one could not with their bionics. It is also more comfortable for me.
 
There are a whole range of options, many of which are mentioned here. There are also several other threads that take up this issue.
The lightest, most self contained options are the Peke Safety Cap, and a new arrival, the Microclimate Air. Both have been very well received. The Trend Airshield was an early option, but most folks found it way too heavy.
For heavier sets, the Sundstrom, and 3M Versaflow seem to be leading the pack, but there are other options. Some folks have reported other brands, metal working suppliers, etc., so shop around if those are more appealing.
That system that Richard Coers mentioned above is a kit version of something I've posted about before - no filters needed, but you are tethered to a breathing tube, essentially.
There's no one best system. Decide what's most important to you, in terms of personal comfort (I use a versaflow helmet - it's slightly heavier than a bionic, but better balanced, and I don't get neck/shoulder tightness the way I used to), shop arrangement, activities, expense, desired level of protection, etc. I should note, not all the units offer the same level of facial protection against UFOs. Look at the specs carefully...
 
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