Thanks Rusty! I am in the process of revamping a Triton Powered Respirator (used to be carried by Craft Supplies USA) by eliminating the Triton blower unit. Your post has inspired me to move forward with the Amazon Air Pump.
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Breathing Systems
- Thread starter Thom Schuck
- Start date
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- www.reallyruralwoodworks.com
works fine . I click it and it takes me to product page under my own account (which was logged in anyway at the time) , not a hint of anything of anyone else's stuff. What I will often do, however, is to EDIT the pasted URL and remove everything after and including the ref= after the last / All it really needs is the ASIN part: as thus: http s://www. amazon. com/Powered-Respirator-Purifying-filters-Connector/dp/B09NNKHGT7/ ( I edited the URL so as to not re-post same link yet again, but you get the idea... )
I found a used Triton filtration unit (not sure if they are made anymore) that had the rechargeable battery pack on your belt. The face shield is heavy duty and configured around a hard hat so it's probably the safest thing I could use around the lathe. I wasn't a fan of the battery pack so I hooked the hose up to my remote air system (similar to the one Richard referenced. Mine is called Breathe-cool) that I used to use when spraying automotive urethanes. I have a separate room for my lathes so the hose runs thru a port in the wall and the canister is pulling clean air from the other room. I have enough hose that the unit can be placed close to the air conditioner duct in the summer so that I get cool air.
A turning friend from out of town stayed with me for several days as we worked on some projects. We had a great mexican dinner the night before and my friend decided to back up his exhaust next to the intake of my air supply. He then came hurriedly into the lathe room as I was roughing out a huge chunk of wood. I saw him but didn't understand why he was there. I assumed he wanted to tell me something so I switched off the lathe. About then, his exhaust had made it down the 50' of supply hose and he got to watch the complete range of facial movements on my face as my brain processed that I had rolled in a cow patty. I thought I was going to have to take him to the ER as he laughed for five minutes. I was ready to send him to the ER for blunt trauma from a 2x4. The things that happen when you've known someone for 40 yrs!
A turning friend from out of town stayed with me for several days as we worked on some projects. We had a great mexican dinner the night before and my friend decided to back up his exhaust next to the intake of my air supply. He then came hurriedly into the lathe room as I was roughing out a huge chunk of wood. I saw him but didn't understand why he was there. I assumed he wanted to tell me something so I switched off the lathe. About then, his exhaust had made it down the 50' of supply hose and he got to watch the complete range of facial movements on my face as my brain processed that I had rolled in a cow patty. I thought I was going to have to take him to the ER as he laughed for five minutes. I was ready to send him to the ER for blunt trauma from a 2x4. The things that happen when you've known someone for 40 yrs!
Rusty, this is very intriguing. But I can't find any info on the filters. The ones in the photo look to be for chemicals. Are there HEPA filters available? Do you have any links for these?
I bought a Trend Air Circulating Airshield Pro. I returned it after about a week of use. It was much too heavy for me. I am using a RZ mask that is ok. Not as effective as a air filtration system. When I find something lite enough not to be uncomfortable I will get one. I will have to check out some of the suggestions that have been made here. Seem like there may be some good options. Thanks to all for the suggestions. Very good topic.
I've had a 3M Versaflow system for about 4 years that I bought on Ebay and I've been totally happy with. I did have problems with the weight of the M307 helmet, so I bought an M207 that's a lot lighter, but the helmet portion isn't rated as high for impact. I figure that any significant impact is more to the the front, which is rated for impact, than the top.
I'd be really careful about buying imported/unknown systems because you generally have no idea if the filtration ratings they quote are accurate or if you'll be able to get filters later when you need replacements. I was using a Powercap helmet mounted one until I looked into the ratings and found that they're about equivalent to an N95 mask
I'd be really careful about buying imported/unknown systems because you generally have no idea if the filtration ratings they quote are accurate or if you'll be able to get filters later when you need replacements. I was using a Powercap helmet mounted one until I looked into the ratings and found that they're about equivalent to an N95 mask
@Rusty Nesmith for the airpump you listed, is the battery readily changeable, and are extra batteries available? Charger for battery only? The unit appears to have an “internal battery”, possibly could be changed out but not for repeated exchange.
Another Peke Safety Powercap user. Bought in 2020 and still like it.
Powercap Active IP PAPR Bundle
Description:This bundle takes our Powercap Active IP and adds our most popular spares and accessories needed to keep you up and running at a reduced price. Suitable for facial hair and glasses. The lightest respirator in the world.Includes:1 x Powercap Active IP PAPR The PowerCap Active IP is a l...
pekesafety.com
Rusty, that unit is WAY less expensive than other brands. Will you keep us posted on how well it works and holds up? How will you get replacement filters?
My understanding is they are a common filter that can be bought at a lot of different places.
I am not sure, I haven’t had a chance to look into it that close. Going to spend the day in the the shop cutting segments. I will check it out and get back. They say it should last eight hours. It has lasted me four hours out of the box without charging it.
It looks like Amazon carries any filter you want that will fit this pump.
FYI, Craft Supply has the Trend Airshield on sale for 15% off. I ordered one today - $399.46 + shipping and tax. I believe the sale ends tomorrow.
I see about 25 different filters offered but they all look to be for chemical vapors. Maybe one is a HEPA filter but I need to do more research
I didn’t see any easy way to change the battery and didn’t want to tear it apart.
I don't use systems such as these. My turnings tend to be smaller (under 10" or so). Very little large, bark covered wood getting rough turned anymore that can throw dust and dirt outward beyond the reach of my behind-lathe dust collector hood. And my collector hood is very effective for sanding operations.
But I am curious, what do you all have as a protocol for putting on and taking off these devices? Are they kept outside the shop, and put on/taken off outside the shop to avoid dust contamination inside the mask/helmet? Do you wear it only at the lathe, but take it off for other work in the shop? Or is it on your head for the duration of the shop time, all the time?
I've seen general woodworking videos and tv shows where the presenter will pop on an air filter helmet/mask to operate a machine that throws dust (bandsaw, table saw, whatever...), preaching to the safety importance, but then immediately take it off as they head back to the workbench. To me, that kind of casual, momentary usage is meaningless, even if just for a video- that dust goes everywhere in minutes, they're breathing it while elsewhere in the room. If I used a device such as this, I'd feel it necessary to wear it during my entire time in the shop.
But I am curious, what do you all have as a protocol for putting on and taking off these devices? Are they kept outside the shop, and put on/taken off outside the shop to avoid dust contamination inside the mask/helmet? Do you wear it only at the lathe, but take it off for other work in the shop? Or is it on your head for the duration of the shop time, all the time?
I've seen general woodworking videos and tv shows where the presenter will pop on an air filter helmet/mask to operate a machine that throws dust (bandsaw, table saw, whatever...), preaching to the safety importance, but then immediately take it off as they head back to the workbench. To me, that kind of casual, momentary usage is meaningless, even if just for a video- that dust goes everywhere in minutes, they're breathing it while elsewhere in the room. If I used a device such as this, I'd feel it necessary to wear it during my entire time in the shop.
When turning I put the Versaflo on before starting to turn. Only take it off after cleaning up is completed. About 25 years ago I was working on a job grinding fiberglass from a boat. Took my helmet off prior to cleaning up. Got fiberglass dust in my eyes while using the broom. Learned a hard lesson that day. After being blind for a couple of days I decided that my eyes working well are a blessing. I would guess the same sentiment should apply to your lungs too.
OUCH! Fiberglass shards are nearly invisible in the eye, so extremely difficult to remove and very painful to have in there. That's a lesson that you learned the extremely hard way. My sympathies. In a similar way, I learned that the edge of corn leaves are like a saw blade and are not good when drawn across the eyeball.
Use it while turning or sanding, and when sweeping up. I have a moveable dc hood and the dc is on as well. Depends on what else I’m doing in the shop, rarely need it otherwise. I have an organic vapor filter for when I spray finish. It works well for sharpening mower blades. I use hand planes vs sanding for flatwork, no dust.
I have this as well and have been very happy with it. It's comfortable and it works.