air respirators

Re: air respirators

John K Jordan

>>These multi-vision lenses are getting to be

>a royal pain in the patooty. Hurts my neck

>to try to find the right spot in the lenses.

I use bifocals at my computer (for screen and up-close), but for turning I keep a sturdy pair of glasses on top of the headstock just for the correct turning and sharpening distance. I got them big and ugly with plastic frames so I wouldn't accidentally carry them off.

As for the air, I use the Trend and find it light enough in weight that it doesn't bother me. I would recommend trying before you buy.

JKJ in East TN

Re: air respirators

Molly Winton

>Hi Carol, I have the Airstream by 3M. I really like it, however I don't think it would be good for you given your back/neck problems. The motor is mounted within the helmet, so it can take a little time for your neck muscles to get used to the added weight. While you may not like the idea of having a hose down your back, that removes the weight of the motor. All things take a little adjustment time, but I'd guess after a short while you'd not notice the hose. If you have the luxury of trying before buying, that'd be the best. Good luck. The investment is well worth it!

Re: air respirators

bill Crommett in seneca

>Carole: I find that the mid-range of my trifocals work well with a small bifocal in place----both for turning and at the computer. So I got a pair of heavy plastic rims fitted with my mid range prescription, with a small bifocal at the bottom out of the way.

As far as the respirator goes, I am negligent because I have a super sucker behind my lathe that takes care of most of the dust. When I get into something extra dusty I put on a paper mask. My 3-m mask hangs on the wall and hasn't been charged up in three years. So stay tuned so that when my lungs give out I can be used as a bad and careless example. I don't have any death wishes, but I am a calculated risk taker in several other ways, too.

Re: air respirators

bill Crommett in seneca

>Carol: Please forgive the extra "e". I have memory problems possibly due to poor attention.

Re: air respirators

Mark Kauder. Phenix City, AL

>Molly said exactly what I was going to say.

Mark

Re: air respirators

Carole in VA

>Carol,

I have the Trend. I think they all take some getting used to. It is fine with glasses, though I have the same bifocal problem that you do. I do not find it to be heavy, but you may if you have a neck problem, so I would suggest that if at all possible you try on any air shield you are thinking about buying. Even if it means you have to wait until you can get to the city. It's too much money to spend on something that will not work for you.

Re: air respirators

Jerry Whitaker

>I have tried on the trend and found it to be a little clumsey. Could not get it adjusted to feel that good. I did not buy it because I was hoping to be able try on some others for comparison. However, that has not worked out. They may all be clumsey to me. For the time being, I am going to get one of those variable speed fans from Grainger to mount in the wall near my headstock and with that, I hope to blow nearly all the dust straight outside. The motor is fully enclosed and is made for dusty, greasy and humid conditions. So, I figure that at high speed it will change the air in my shop in less than 2 minutes. If there is still dust in the air, then I will buy one of the positive air shields. Sure would like to get by without wearing one if possible. About the glasses... I just got some new ones with bifocals and they do not work for me so I am going to get a pair with bifocals with trifocals in the top for computer and shop work.....I think this is the best way to go.

Re: air respirators

Lyn J. Mangiameli

>I suspect that was my article, which is now two years old, thus it was written before the Trend and Triton appeared on the North American scene. I tried getting together several units, including those two, for a comparative update, but couldn't get any cooperation in obtaining sample units and the whole thing became too costly to be realistic, given that I have several powered units that currently meet my needs.

Nonetheless, the article discusses features and principles that carry over well to the the new units. I've looked at the Trend and the Triton in stores and while both seem fairly good, they don't encourage me to replace my Airstream. I've had my Airstream for over 5 years now, and it runs as well as the day I bought it. It's very expensive, but is one of the most effective at filtering and holds up, so the cost is counterbalance by function and longevity.

If I were replacing my Airmate (not my Airstream Helmet, but the Airmate visor respirator) I'd almost surely go with the Trend. The Trend will filter better, and has more battery options, but is a little clunkier and heavier. Any faceshield is more apt to fall off when leaning forward than a helmet, because the weight is not as well distributed.

As I mentioned in the article, I am not fond of hose connected belt pack respirators. I find them awkward to wear over or under clothes, awkward to take on and off, and more prone to bump into and catch on things. The visor units are the nicest in this respect, with the helmeted Airstream coming in second (because of its remote battery).

In the end though, any of the powered respirators are more comfortable than facemasks of similar filtering. As everyone has said, the best thing is to try on several. Woodcraft stores usually have the Trend and Triton in stock, and usually woodworking shows have an Airware America or Enviro-Safety Systems booth where you can try the Airmate and some of the others. Best of all, of course, would be if you can borrow some and use them for a day or so and get a feel for their long term comfort.

It really is too bad I haven't been able to get all the systems in one place and report on some comparative observations of comfort, features and performance. Alas, short of a magazine like FWW sponsoring it, such comparions are just too costly to carry out.

Re: air respirators

Darryl Hansen

>Carol I have the 3M and recently purchased the Trend at Alltools when they had a sale at about 40% off. The 3M is noiser but lighter. The Trend does not fit me as well as the 3M but I am getting used to it. The filtration on the Trend is much much better. I do not believe the wieght of the Trend will bother you at all. It is a bit clunkier than the 3M but not all that bad.

As for glasses. I have a pair of "half" glasses that I use at the lathe with my reading prescription in it. Both the 3M and Trand work best with the smaller lenses. In particular the Trand does tend to drag the glasses off if I use the tilt feature when I use my bigger glasess.

Re: air respirators

Darryl Hansen

>Allprotools.com has the Trend at $259 now Darryl

Re: air respirators

Fog Tanner

>Carol,

I am a programmer, who also has failing vison (from too many years of sitting in front of a terminal). A number of years ago, I had my optomitrist (sp?) give me a prescription for single vision glasses with a focal length for my terminal. This was a number of years before you saw them advertised. Bifocals really don't cut it when sitting at a terminal for 18 hours. I noticed that Raffin used a different pair of glasses for turning, so I tried a pair of my "computer glasses" at the lathe and they worked fine. I have 3-4 pairs so now one stays at the lathe. After having used my "compuer glasses" for over 10 years, I think you are better off with single vison. And you might want to look at some of the smaller oval frames. They put the lens closer to the eye and your vison is much improved. I always did like the John Lennon look back in the '60s :-).

I have the Powervisor and don't really find the weight to be any problem. It works well with my glasses and is a must have when turning certain woods. It has been discontinued by 3M, but the Trend is very similar. The best is the Airstream, which is what I plan on getting next. It is probably a little heavier as it has a helmet, but the dust protection is well worth it along. I also like the idea of the helmet, especially after having some bark blow off and hit me in the face shiel. I figure its only a matter of time before some shrapnel hits my head..

Good luck in your quest.

Fog

Carol - look for an Email from me.

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>

glasses for lathe

John K Jordan

>> I tried a pair of my "computer glasses"

> at the lathe and they worked fine.

Your post made me wonder if some may not realize: Any eye doctor can create a custom prescription for any distance you desire. Just stand comfortably at the lathe and measure or have someone measure the distance from your eyes to the wood.

If you don't need a significant correction for astigmatism, just take the eyeball-to-lathe distance to Walmart. (Simpler if you make a stick or take a piece of string the correct length) You may look like a dork, but try on different reading glasses and read some very tiny print at exactly that distance and come back with perfect lathe glasses.

I actually keep two pairs of prescription glasses for lathe work - one for a normal comfortable working distance and one for about 12" or so for checking detail up close. I also keep a magnifier handy. I know one woodturner who, bless his heart, is both artistic and prolific, but nearly every piece of his is "ruined" by sanding or finishing problems. I've been wondering if his vision is the problem.

BTW, I also do hard-core computer work and use large dual montitors at a longer distance than normal (about 34"). I've had special glasses made for years for just that distance and they have saved my sanity and eliminated eyestrain and headaches. I do have a very small bifocal close-up lens added for documents and details on drawings - the close-up lens is so tiny I actually had a time convincing the person taking the glasses order that yes, I did want it that small! I find the tiny close-up lens eliminates the normal bifocal annoyance but still allows close work as needed.

JKJ in East TN

Re: Carol - look for an Email from me.

Carol Reed - Strawberry, AZ

>Got it and responded last night. Thanks, Mark.

OSHA certified

Jorge Castaneda ~ Downeast Maine

>Besides the right prescription, you can have your glasses made OSHA certified, they are real glass and will take a certain amount of impact, true, they weigh more and have few options in shapes. I choose the biggest glass and the thinniest frame that do not distracts me, I have been doing this for 20 years now, they cost more than regular glasses but the first time a table saw throws you a knot, you will be glad you have them. This happened to me already, and a second time with a router table, so I recommend to think about it and get yourself a pair.

$0.02

Jorge