Thread: Faceshield respirators

Well I've bene in various industries all my life nd have some experience of the various options.

I bought a triton because they are $195 and the 3 m's are mostly up around $600. It's cheap, the headband on mine doesn't work anymore, but the ear muffs hold it nicely in place, the face shield distorts your vision as Cliff says but in practise it doesn't matter much. I use mine A LOT. I mow in it, I wear it anytime there is any dust or fume related issue, it's not rated for fumes but is better than nothing and you can get fume filters for it. Std filters can be had cheap if you shop round.

It is a domestic/hobby quality unit, not an industrial quality unit.

On ebay you can pick up the elements to build a 3M setup, and depends on your needs you can go for a teathered unit connected to an air compressor which you can site remotely for excellant protection. This will save you some money upfront and in use. Small compressors are cheap nowdays. The 3M units are more comfortable and durable.

The triton is convenient.

Bascially comes down to your budget. There is another one for about $450 I've seen but I've not tried them.

Originally Posted by damian

...depends on your needs you can go for a teathered unit connected to an air compressor which you can site remotely for excellant protection. This will save you some money upfront and in use. Small compressors are cheap nowdays.

That would need to be a non-oil compressor type as breathing the oil vapours that come off oil based air compressors (despite oil vapour filters) could create another health issue.

Another option for a tethered unit (which I mostly use) is to connect up to a domestic air filter. I posted something on what I did some time back...see link below. Another advantage of this approach which I didn't mention on that post is the much larger (and more readily available) HEPA filter which it uses.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...8&postcount=14

Neil

I have a trend respirator that I bought a few years ago before the Triton was available. It is light weight and the batteries last a few hours but are expensive to buy as extras ($70+). The downside is it takes 12 hours to recharge them. I didn't go for some of the other brands because of the battery hanging around your waist and some are quite heavy. The filters on the trend are also very expensive. If I could start again I would probably go for the triton.

Triton guys...how much did you pay for a 2nd battery pack?

$105 plus postage but it was a while ago.

Originally Posted by NeilS

That would need to be a non-oil compressor type as breathing the oil vapours that come off oil based air compressors (despite oil vapour filters) could create another health issue.

Neil

You can use a regular air compressor, you put a special filter inline to remove oil, water etc.

If you buy a system from a 3M dealer they would sort that for you, if your cooking your own you need to do some reading to determine what you need.

That applies to any equipment you buy. Either realize you don't know and ask someone who does, or find out for yourself. Asking on an internet forum where you don't know who people are nor what their real background is isn't a substitute for that. I would have thought that was obvious, but on reflection perhaps it isn't. This is a great place to start an investigation, but particularly where safety is concerned it seriously isn't an end.

Originally Posted by Ashes

Triton guys...how much did you pay for a 2nd battery pack?

I ordered mine through a local supplier who gives discounts for woodies, and it cost me $81 - that includes a belt, so you just swap units.

I remember there was a discussion about the Trend Airshield shortly after the Pro was introduced. Not everyone was happy the filters for the original Airshield were discontinued, without warning and no alternatives.

Some more can be found here.
http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/v...rend+airshield

Hans

Thanks for all the feedback people. Looks like it's going to be a Triton on the wish list for fathers day this year.
Interesting that there were 11 votes for the "other" option but only Record Power and 3M got a mention. Rang Blackwoods to get a price on the 3M Jupiter™ Powered Air Purifying Respirator System - $1800 + GST , the guy said he doesn't sell many.

Your kids are better trained than mine GJ!

But I did get a Churchill seegar.

I use a Trend Airshield and have no experience with any other brands.

Suits me cos it's light, has no frills like ear guards and helmet, can be worn all day long and is quiet. Oh, and doesn't recycle my pharts.

AJ, there's a cheap alternative to the OEM battery pack that you can make yourself - uses 3 AA rechargables. PM me if interested.