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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Hobart, Tas
    Posts
    1,211

    Default Half face respirators, condensation, and dribbling

    I've had a great 3m half face respirator for many years, but after a quantum of breathing, there is enough condensation in the mask that I start getting drops from the exhaust port falling onto whatever I'm working on.
    The result ranges from a "gross dad!" If the kids are around when I empty it periodically (it's like using a spit valve on a trumpet), to frustration if it drips on work pieces when finishing.
    Does this effect others too? Have you found a remedy? Are some masks more susceptible? Is it only an issue in cold climates (Hobart for me)?
    Any thoughts appreciated.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia.
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    Default

    Happens in Melbourne too...

    Mick.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
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    27,756

    Default

    Thats yet another reason why good ventilation/dust extraction is superior over masks. When its cold you might have to work with an extra layer of clothing on but the freedom from having that thing around your face is well worth it.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Hobart, Tas
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    Default

    I hear you Bob. Cold climate dust extraction is an issue though, as it's a toss up between having fingers that are so cold they ache and loose dexterity (because we can't wear gloves or long sleeved jumpers a lot of the time due to safety), or trying to keep some warmth in the shed by not constantly replacing the air with chilly outside air. A fully fledged heat exchanger is not an option due to cost constraints.
    Perhaps I need a shop vac like a festool that can vent back inside. So the warm air stays put!
    At times a mask is the more practical answer.
    I may start a new thread in the dust extraction forum about solutions for cold climates, and leave this one to focus on trying to address condensation in masks.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,756

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Xfigio View Post
    I hear you Bob. Cold climate dust extraction is an issue though, as it's a toss up between having fingers that are so cold they ache and loose dexterity (because we can't wear gloves or long sleeved jumpers a lot of the time due to safety), or trying to keep some warmth in the shed by not constantly replacing the air with chilly outside air. A fully fledged heat exchanger is not an option due to cost constraints.
    Perhaps I need a shop vac like a festool that can vent back inside. So the warm air stays put!
    At times a mask is the more practical answer.
    I may start a new thread in the dust extraction forum about solutions for cold climates, and leave this one to focus on trying to address condensation in masks.
    I have responded in the new thread you have started. There are workable solutions that don't require venting - they are not cheap but probably not was much as a heat exchanger.

    Your winter problem is similar to our summer problem with cooler Air-conditioned air being lost from a shed that vents outside. On these days I tend to do my dusty work earlier in the day when its cooler - I appreciate that on some Hobart days you don't get even an hour's worth of warmer weather to do a bit of work but I still reckon you would get more than 6 months a year worth of use from a venting DC system.

    FWIW During the day I will still use DC for short (minute) bursts as it does not take long for the SC to recover its coolth.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
    6,127

    Default

    I use the generic Carbatec powered half-face mask and the fan keeps enough airflow through the mask to prevent condensation.

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