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Powered Respirators

I've just been loaned a Trend Airshield powered respirator by a friend to "try before I buy". It seems to work really well but the only things which are really putting me off are:

(i) the cost - £154 seems a huge amount of money to pay for some bits of plastic, a small fan, a battery, a battery charger and a couple of filters. (ii) the plastic seems rather thin - I'm sure that it wouldn't take too much to damage it - although I understand that if it were much thicker it would adversely increase the weight. (iii) the user manual says that the life of the product should be about 3 years - I assume this would be based on daily use. I'd probably be using it a couple of times a week so I would guess that this would extend it's actual life - otherwise it would be costing me about £50 per year, plus spare filters, plus recharging. (iv) cost of consumables is quite high - so not only is the purchase cost high but the running costs would be high as well. Depends on how often I'd need to change filters I suppose.

And yet when I look at the benefits it's actually rather tempting. I haven't really found a comparable product in it's class in the UK to compare it with so I don't know whether this is a good deal or not - or whether to continue with the canister type respirator which is sweaty round the chin, full of glop after a short time and the elastic straps of which would probably damage my new specs. I'd be interested to hear your views/experiences/recommendations.

Thanks in advance

Ron Headon Swindon, England

Reply to
Ron Headon
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Ron I have a 3M AS200. It has the battery on your belt and the motor and filter in the hat. With a couple replacement parts it cost about $600US and I love it and recommend it. Forget the cost of the parts and look at the benefit to your health. If you are more likely to use it because it is more comfortable or more compatible with your glasses then the money is nothing compared to your ability to breathe 15 years from now. David

R> I've just been loaned a Trend Airshield powered respirator by a friend to

Reply to
David Wade

I'd like to second the 3M product - one consideration for me is that the 3M unit I have is a full industrial hard hat with the breathing aparatus and a face shield - that way I don't have to worry about getting smacked on the head by something either (and yes, the hard hat part works) - one trip to the E-room that you don't make will easily pay for the price of the unit.

I don't know what is available in the UK, but please consider something that includes head protection as well.

Reply to
william_b_noble

Reply to
Larry Day

The Trend does not include a hard-hat and it looks like it would be tough to wear one.

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Reply to
Ralph E Lindberg

You have a third on the 3M unit. I've had mine for over a year. I turn a lot of walnut and was bothered by walnut dust. No problems when I wear the 3M. It's pricey, but look at it as a long term investment for your body.

Art

Reply to
Wood Butcher

I have recently been given a Trend Airshield for my birthday by my wife. She values my health as much as I do. I wouldn't be without it. It offers both superb protection for my lungs, which are a bit tricky to replace, and also for my eyes that I certainly can't do without. Wood dust can do enormous harm, so the price is justified. My advice would be to buy it without further ado.

Charlie Oxon Woodturners

Reply to
Charlie Jones

Thanks Charlie. Everyone who's used them seems to speak highly of them.

Ron

Reply to
Ron Headon

Ron, I have been using one for about 6 months and apart from the recharge time (14 hours) and the weight I wouldn't be without it!

My continuing good health far outweighs the costs.

Regards, Peter Charles Fagg Freshwater, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom.

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Each can do but little! But if each DID that little, ALL would be done!

Reply to
Peter Charles Fagg

Reply to
David Wade

second on envirosafety - that's where I got my 3-M helmet also - they may not be the cheapest, but I never shopped around - they are very easy to deal with, know their stuff, and give reasonable advise

Reply to
william_b_noble

Ron I have just received my copy of the Australian Wood Review and Terry Martin has an article in the Tool Review on Respirators worth having a look if you can get hold of a copy.

I currently have the RACAL but no l> I've just been loaned a Trend Airshield powered respirator by a friend to

Reply to
laymarcraftswoodturning

====>Ron: I have the 3M before they sold out to RACAL. Trend is now essentially making the same thing. I was lucky and purchased mine before 3M sold and prices in US$ went from approx. $150 to $250+. I love my 3M and use it for flatwork sanding as well. I have re-worked the battery system so I can plug in fresh NicCads whenever, the charge seems to be flagging. I would without hesitation buy the Trend for all the reasons stated above. Batteries are replaceable; lungs aren't!

Leif

Reply to
Leif Thorvaldson

I use a system by SATA, the guys who make the rally good paint guns. It is a constant fresh air system that hooks up to your air compresor, designed to be work in paint booths. It can be seen here:

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difference with my unit, and the one in the link is that on mine, the filter is on the wall, inline with my SATA particulate, water and oil filters. The only thing attached to me is the air hose. As an added benefit of this system, there is no battery to go dead, and the head/neck hood keeps the shavings off of me.

Reply to
Brian Blazer

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