Powered face respirators

[Harry72]

Cant beat a racal airstream AH12 for general dust, but like you said not cheap.
They tick all the boxes(except price!), light and comfortable, reliable easy to use and offer a very high standard of safety, glasses(no fogging) and beards are fine. I know they've saved my head numerous times, I wear mine for 12hrs at a time at work in a very hot humid environment(molten metal process).
The only draw back is the sound of the fan motor, which isnt that bad you wont hear it with a machine turned on.
AH12 Airstream Helmet | Blackwoods

[Lyle]

You're right Harry72. Good bit of kit but it is a helemet style which I didn't want or need. For a factory, yes, definitely great. But very pricey compared to the dustmaster.

Horses for courses. I will be seriously looking for something akin to the Trend airshield. They have a market here in Oz but I'm waiting to see if they get import approval and then see what the cost will be.

Until then the dustmaster will suffice.

[bobsreturn2003]

bought a devillbiss helmet from ebay uk , cost to be $257 delivered , plug into air line . no batteries . looked the most comfortable solution ??????? will let you know ! every one local was talking 1200-2500$$$$. crikey !!look at them not $50.00worth of parts in them . hopefully will keep breathing and woodworking

[Lyle]

Be aware of the air coming from your air supply. Is it clean filtered air or coming from your compressor you use for spraying etc. If it is coming from your compressor be careful as it can contain contaminants like oil fumes.

Another reason I went for the dustmaster over the other more expensive creations.

[bobsreturn2003]

thanks i looked at their filters big $$$$$ , thought why use a compressor that puts oil in?? diaphram compressors are airless . but i have a large air filter with a cloth type element , and will use it as a tank/ filter .as well the unit comes with an inline filter on the belt, i have all the pieces motor compressor airline , so its a good way to go for me . as my batteries are usually near flat when i need the helmet . amazing the prices of these things quoted $1000- $3000.00 , thats why i went to uk, they and usa , seem to have some new / surplus for sale . looking foreward to clean breathing . bob

[Lyle]

Can you imagine the sales if these units were more affordable.
But as soon as you put the word 'safety' into it up goes the retail cost.
The hobby/handyman market is huge but the manufacturers/retaillers just squeeze the $$$.

[rsser]

I suspect Lyle that that's because their insurance would be sky high - anticipating future claims.

It's a bit late to suggest this but maybe someone around the country has old stock of the Trend.

I use one and after a while no longer notice it's there. You don't need to hear that at the moment.

Bob's point is important too; you need multiple strategies.

Drug companies are now developing a delivery mechanism for medications based on a spray of 4 micron particles. They go in nicely and stay in the lungs. The av. WW shed would have lots of those and smaller floating around for hours after generation.

[bobsreturn2003]

Having bought an air helmet ,Icame across a turbine system from the usa that looks affordable , look up turbine products on ebay usa , can get it in 240v and $133.00 post is not too bad ,when you look at the rest of them.Would welcome others thoughts ? cheers Bob

[bobsreturn2003]

well fired up the devilbiss helmet with some very fancy filters connected to my compressor . relief at last ,i am tied to the airline , but no weight on neck , really light and comfortable to use. whistles when there is not enough air pressure! definately feel serious wearing it but no problems with wood dust bought helmet from england and filters from usa. cost around $400.00 all up and a lot of looking ! would have tried the turbine system as i thought they were good value ,but didnt find it till i had bought the mask . breathing well now cheers Bob

[Groggy]

No pictures? Didn't happen

[duckhunter]

I bought a full face powered respirator from a website called respiratorpartsplus.com. The site is run by one fellow and if you ask him if he has any lower prices on the site , he may give you one. I got my PAPR for around $320 plus he threw in a few free filters. Been using it for a year now and it works great. I got a MSA , but can remember the model. Id have to go out to the shop and look. Best site I have found for parts and full units and he stocks everything on the site. Nice guy to deal with as well.

Chet