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Well, my wood sensitivity issues are getting the best of me, so it's time to take the plunge I've been mulling over for many years -- the dog-on-a-leash world of supplied air respirators. I've looked at the Hobby Aire 1 with full-faced mask, but I'm wondering if the hood would be a better, more comfortable choice. I'm concerned the hood might be too bulky and get in the way during delicate operations. I'm sure there are some other good options out there, and am hoping some of you who use them might share your experiences, likes/dislikes, and brand preferences here.

I'm also shopping for a ceiling-mounted air filter, so ditto the above regarding CFM needs for an 800-ish square foot shop, best power-to-noise level performance, ease of cleaning, etc. Thanks in advance!

Wheezy in Waukeegan

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

Keep in mind that the supplied air is only as good as its filter. So the one I bought just has like a two micron filter or whatever is standard. If you have allergic reactions to vapors or odors, you will need something that removes those, too. I have asthma and I get reactions to various odors of things that I am not allergic to.

I would like to be able to use it for spraying nitro as well. Question, does the turbine need to be located in a different room, or can it be in the shop with me?


Ken Jones
Mountain Song Guitars

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

Better to put the turbine in a different room

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Supplied air means air tanks. Do you mean air purifying filters.

I recommend a P100 half face mask by North or 3M.

I recently read an article on powered respirators, but cannot recall where. Think it was Fine
Woodworking. Triton, trend and Rockler all have powered respirators. Try a google search for powered respirators.

B

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My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

Supplied air is the term Hobby Air uses in reference to their turbine driven clean air respirator. I've been using regular respirators like the 3M p100 for well on 25 years now. It's time to go to the next level.


Ken Jones
Mountain Song Guitars

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

This is a timely discussing for me, as well. I'm getting more and more sensitive to shop dust to the point where I'm in the same boat as many other long time woodworkers. This is one that I've been looking at. http://www.busybeetools.com/products/TR ... ECTOR.html
Hopefully, the younger crowd will follow this discussion, and consider using some sort of positive air filtration now, instead of waiting until they are older, and having to do it.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

That one looks great in that you're not tethered to a turbine, but I'd worry it would fall short in real world application. Here's the one I'm most considering, and as Steve said, the turbine needs to be placed in a clean air environment.
Hobby Air 40' Hose Full Face Mask https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049AG024/re ... vub1C4H9RF
Not really a problem in my case, I'd just have to get used to the limited mobility.


Ken Jones
Mountain Song Guitars

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

On a related note, here's a useful chart of wood allergies and toxicity. I'm going to print it out for my files.
http://www.wood-database.com/wood-artic ... ity/#chart

I've researched my options a bit more, and am now leaning towards the Trend Airshield Pro, as it gets very good reviews and is one of the more economical choices out there. I'd still like to hear from some folks that use these, and your likes/dislikes.


Ken Jones
Mountain Song Guitars

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

I have a North CA201 which is a belt mounted Powered Air Purifying Respirator with a hood. This is an industrial quality, portable unit and it provides cool, filtered air.

http://www.globalsafetyco.com/pperesp_northpapr.htm

I am the same situation, half masks are no long enough, I the dust will make my eyes sore and swell etc if I get exposed to it for too long. I have the Trend air shield, but I think it mostly aimed at the woodtruner crowd. I disliked the weight, visibility, and the constant noise from the fan... Its also useless in the spray booth. Needless to say, it doesn't get much use in my shop. For the last couple of years, my solution has been to produce less dust (chips and shaving instead, if possible), to keep everything (including the shop clothes) as clean as possible, and take breaks from time to time. I do wear a respirator at all times in the shop, and have upgraded my DC, but it is a constant problem. Supplied air mask next...

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Timely thread. I am in the same boat especially with winter coming. 10+ years in the shop have really screwed up my sinuses. A big Oneida dust collector, two ceiling mounted Jet cleaners and a floor air purifier are not enough.

I am in the market for a supplied air mask and will check the recommendations and follow this thread.

Thanks!

Arnt it is good to see you back on the forum.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Same here, Arnt. I'm dealing with some pretty bad rashes and skin-related issues from scraping/sanding Amazon RW. It's just the latest offender -- Pau Ferro is the worst for me so far. I've also had reactions to Panamanian RW, African BW, and to a lesser degree, Ebony. I don't see it getting better, only worse. You've confirmed my concerns about the Trend helmet. I'm now back to looking at the Hobby Air, primarily for cost reasons. The product Barry Daniels shared looks nice, but 1K+ just isn't an option.

Terence, it sounds like you're in an even worse boat than me -- I just ordered my first air filter, and I'm still relying on my Jet and Grizzly canister DC's. I may also order the little Grizzly bench top filter. It makes sense to try and contain as much at the source as possible. On that note, does anyone find it problematic that most air filters are designed to be ceiling mounted? It seems something on the floor or even under the workbench would be preferable, considering dust tends to eventually fall prey to the effects of gravity.



Ken Jones
Mountain Song Guitars

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

Not to beat a dead luthier, I mean horse, but here's another candidate.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GAFD82 ... SY165_QL70
I'd love to hear from folks who've tried the different styles (turbine in different room, belt-pack, and all-in-one helmet) and the pros and cons of each. I'm a little surprised this thread isn't more active, considering dust is such a big part of what we do, and I know there's more than a couple of us with sensitizing issues. Currently, the topic is weighing heavily on my mind.

I will say that the Grizzly air filter I got seems to help clean ambient air beautifully. In fact, I haven't taken it off the low fan speed yet. Even on low, I can stand at the very back of my shop and feel air moving behind me.


Ken Jones
Mountain Song Guitars

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

A very interesting topic. For my part I did a thorough investigation several years ago and decided that the Hobby Air was what I would probably get but I was mostly interested in it for spraying nitro. Since I built a small paint booth with explosive proof fan, etc, I have delayed that purchase.

At the moment I am looking at completely updating the layout of my shop to finish the changeover from custom furniture shop to guitar shop. That will include some kind of whole shop filter arrangement.

I would still like to find a good untethered powered dust mask solution but haven't come across one I like. I was considering the Trend but spoke with a well-known luthier who had tried one (and whose opinion I feel is reliable) and he didn't recommend it. I'm still looking and have been following this thread with interest.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Yeah, some of Burton's comments above steered me away from the Trend. A friend of mine used a belt pack type while apprenticing with Jason Kostel, and said it was great, as long as you don't fart, lol.


Ken Jones
Mountain Song Guitars

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

Like I said, I use a North belt pack unit. Not cheap, but it is industrial quality and from a leader in personal protection equipment. It is relatively light weight, runs all day on a charge, and has various filters available, including dust (P100), VOC and a variety of others. The thing I like about it is that the hood protects your entire head without having a pressure fit seal on your face. Since it is a powered unit, there is no struggle to breath and the delivered air is cool and plentiful. Compared to a half or full face respirator, it is night and day.

One thing I would warn you about would be staying away from equipment targeted to the DIY public. Often these manufacturers have no idea about the hazards that they should be protecting you from. I have seen some respirators that were a real joke.

Disclaimer: I am responsible for respiratory protection for my workers in my day job who work around hazardous wastes.