Roger Chandler
09-10-2013, 12:03 PM
As I posted earlier, I am going through some sinus issues [infection and taking antibiotics].......some, related to turning and allergies.......some partly due to my own negligence! That is what I want to share with you today........
The negligence part is this..........I did not keep proper track of the state of the filters on my Trend Airshield Pro unit. I have been wearing it, especially for sanding and a lot of other times as well, but when I turned the last cherry goblet, I did not wear it for most of the turning, just the sanding part.
After losing the last several days to being sick and having to reschedule my demo on goblets, today, I went to the shop to take a look at the situation with a little closer inspection as to what might have brought this on........I had been suffering with seasonal allergies any way, but I took the time to actually open up the Trend pro.........removed the filters and was I surprised! Not in a good way!
I had allowed a build up of dust particles in the filters that I was unaware of because of negligence in checking carefully. When I looked at the inside of the filters, they were almost completely blocked! The outside was fairly clean, but the insides were blocked! Now that is probably due to the fact that I at times take my air hose and blow off the helmet, and a lot of the surface dust gets blown away. In retrospect, that looks to be something that can lead to a false sense of security.
Because the filters are a bit pricey [in my opinion ;)] I have been reluctant I guess, to change them out. Well, this came back to bite me.........and I share with you so that you do not make the same mistake! Now, I pride myself in trying to work safely, but I blew it on this one........and I think have learned a valuable lesson.........follow the recommended instructions and pay attention to those filters............your health depends on it!
Now, I am embarrassed :o to share this, but we all learn from one another and hopefully my mistake will help prevent someone else from making a similar one! I have put new filters on my Trend Pro unit, after blowing the thing completely out and then wiping it down with a clean cloth. I will start my next turning session with a clean unit and hopefully this will prevent any other issues.
I use an overhead air cleaner as well, and a dust collector when sanding, but I think the fact that I had clogged filters and was breathing through those filters is what tipped the scales on me as far as the respiratory issues goes..........now I will try not to repeat this mistake ever again!
I hope my experience benefits all of you and that you will take a look at those filters........from the inside, taking them out for inspection! Be safe everyone! :)
The negligence part is this..........I did not keep proper track of the state of the filters on my Trend Airshield Pro unit. I have been wearing it, especially for sanding and a lot of other times as well, but when I turned the last cherry goblet, I did not wear it for most of the turning, just the sanding part.
After losing the last several days to being sick and having to reschedule my demo on goblets, today, I went to the shop to take a look at the situation with a little closer inspection as to what might have brought this on........I had been suffering with seasonal allergies any way, but I took the time to actually open up the Trend pro.........removed the filters and was I surprised! Not in a good way!
I had allowed a build up of dust particles in the filters that I was unaware of because of negligence in checking carefully. When I looked at the inside of the filters, they were almost completely blocked! The outside was fairly clean, but the insides were blocked! Now that is probably due to the fact that I at times take my air hose and blow off the helmet, and a lot of the surface dust gets blown away. In retrospect, that looks to be something that can lead to a false sense of security.
Because the filters are a bit pricey [in my opinion ;)] I have been reluctant I guess, to change them out. Well, this came back to bite me.........and I share with you so that you do not make the same mistake! Now, I pride myself in trying to work safely, but I blew it on this one........and I think have learned a valuable lesson.........follow the recommended instructions and pay attention to those filters............your health depends on it!
Now, I am embarrassed :o to share this, but we all learn from one another and hopefully my mistake will help prevent someone else from making a similar one! I have put new filters on my Trend Pro unit, after blowing the thing completely out and then wiping it down with a clean cloth. I will start my next turning session with a clean unit and hopefully this will prevent any other issues.
I use an overhead air cleaner as well, and a dust collector when sanding, but I think the fact that I had clogged filters and was breathing through those filters is what tipped the scales on me as far as the respiratory issues goes..........now I will try not to repeat this mistake ever again!
I hope my experience benefits all of you and that you will take a look at those filters........from the inside, taking them out for inspection! Be safe everyone! :)