Need Recommendations

[Jim Tobias]

I'm about to have some surgery on my nose and am not going to be able to wear ky normal 3M half face respirator due to the fit across the nose. What are recommendations for a forced air system that is lightweight, comfortable and good for turning but also comfortable enough to wear in the shop generally when doing other woodworking??

Thanks,
Jim

[Mick Fagan]

I would suggest you take a look at the JSP Powercap Active IP powered respirator. It is light weight, around 450gms and super comfortable. I use mine for turning, table saw, mitre saw, band saw and anything else where I'm creating dust. Other units out there are generally heavier, some quite heavier. The battery attaches to the rear, so no cables anywhere running to a battery pack. Feels balanced upon my head.

One of the better features is the flow meter, where you stick the flow meter onto an upturned unit, switch it on and see if the flow is enough. If the flow is too low, either the battery is running low, or your filters are getting clogged.

This is a link to an English fella with a quite comprehensive rundown of one of these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2xVuJlgE7w

If you purchase one of these, ensure it is the IP (ImPact) version.

The flow of air downwards across the face means no more fogging and within reason, should ensure no sweating, or at the worst, minimal sweat running down your face in hot weather.

Works very well with glasses; mine are not small glasses.

Mick.

[Jim Tobias]

Researching the JSP Powercap Active IP, I found that it is temporarily unavailable at Amazon. Still looking....also, is there a way to make it workable when using solvents??

Thanks,
Jim

[Mick Fagan]

Researching the JSP Powercap Active IP, I found that it is temporarily unavailable at Amazon. Still looking....also, is there a way to make it workable when using solvents??

Thanks,
Jim

In a nutshell, nope.

In another life I used some quite nasty solvents, the drastically different air filtration requirements would mean a completely different apparatus.

To quote the handbook that came with my unit.

"PowerCap Active is not designed for use in atmospheres that are immediately hazardous to user hygiene or health, have less than 19.5% oxygen content, contain gases or toxic substances, or unknown compositions."

The manual goes on a bit after that, but the essential thing, is that it is designed mainly as a dust or fine particle filter, as well as having an impact resistant face and head shield.

Good luck in your endeavours.

I would have thought specialist wood working stores may have this item, amazon surely cannot be the only place you can buy it from.

As an aside, this is not available to amazon customers in Australia; I purchased mine from a specialist wood working store in Australia.

Mick.

[John K Jordan]

I'm about to have some surgery on my nose and am not going to be able to wear ky normal 3M half face respirator due to the fit across the nose. What are recommendations for a forced air system that is lightweight, comfortable and good for turning but also comfortable enough to wear in the shop generally when doing other woodworking??

Thanks,
Jim

Jim,

Do you really need a forced air system or would a 3M full-face mask work? I have two and wear one with filters for volatiles when spraying chemicals around the farm. They also take the same P100 dust filters I use for the half-face respirator for those times when I want both face and dust protection.

I found it comfortable to wear for long periods. I once wore it to keep the smoke out of my eyes when cutting a fire break in the woods with my tractor. (Some idiot had accidentally set the woods on fire down the hill from my place.) It worked far better for smoke than I had imagined.

For a powered face shield with dust protection I have an older but barely used Trend in the cabinet. (I decided I liked the 3M respirators better.) I'll have to check to see if the batteries still hold a charge, but if you want to borrow it to try it out send me a PM. Worthless with chemicals, though.

JKJ

[Jim Tobias]

Thanks for the offer John. What I am going to need is something that does not fit on the bridge of the nose. The surgery is going to make that a must have. I also want it to be fairly light as I typically wear my 3M half face mask anytime I'm in the shop. As you stated, the 3M filters can be changed out to accommodate just dust or volatile chemicals.
I have an older 3M PAPR unit with the belt, battery and helmet. The filters can be changed out to accommodate volatiles. The problem is this unit is very heavy and cumbersome to wear for any length of time. I was hoping that the technology had improved enough that there might be a lighter unit that would resolve the issues.

Jim

[John K Jordan]

The Trend is very light weight and contacts only at the headband. It has a soft flange that seals gently around the face, nothing near the nose.

JKJ

Thanks for the offer John. What I am going to need is something that does not fit on the bridge of the nose. The surgery is going to make that a must have. I also want it to be fairly light as I typically wear my 3M half face mask anytime I'm in the shop. As you stated, the 3M filters can be changed out to accommodate just dust or volatile chemicals.
I have an older 3M PAPR unit with the belt, battery and helmet. The filters can be changed out to accommodate volatiles. The problem is this unit is very heavy and cumbersome to wear for any length of time. I was hoping that the technology had improved enough that there might be a lighter unit that would resolve the issues.

Jim

[Jeffrey J Smith]

I’ve used the Trend AirShield Pro for 6 or 7 years now - for sanding on the lathe and also general shop use when working with dust-prone operations. I find it excellent to use even though some complain that it is too heavy, I have no problems. Good support from the manufacturer, fits over glasses and beard; keeps dust out of my nose and lungs. I like using it for the most part.
It’s also reasonably priced compared to the 3M alternatives. Since the initial investment I’ve only replaced the filters once (they are on the expensive side) but that was after spending nearly a month cutting, routing and working with MDF on a major cabinet project. Replaced the headband (only problematic part) and the face seal after it was stretched out of shape by my own poor handling and storage. Both were supplied gratis by Trend. I did rebuild the batteries a few years ago and replaced the charger...