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Trend Airshield Pro

Vaughn McMillan said:
Your recollection of the details is pretty impressive, but you only score a 94% on the geek scale for that comment. If you'd remembered George's name, the judges would have given you a 100%. :p
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Thanks. I also can't remember the name of the band (Led Zeppelin? AC/DC?) whose music was on the cassette - even though I can "see" Marty putting it into the Walkman, with its handwritten label. But I remember that it was truly of the "brain-melting" variety.... :eek:

Sorry for the threadjack Paul ... Cynthia started it! :rofl:
 
Kerry Burton said:
Thanks. I also can't remember the name of the band (Led Zeppelin? AC/DC?) whose music was on the cassette - even though I can "see" Marty putting it into the Walkman, with its handwritten label. But I remember that it was truly of the "brain-melting" variety.... :eek:

Sorry for the threadjack Paul ... Cynthia started it! :rofl:
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i believe it was Van Halen, regardless I've never had respiratory or sinus problems until I started deploying to 3rd world dust holes. Lately, every time I get near sanding dust my sinuses close up and makes life less than enjoyable. I guess you can develop issues after prolonged exposures. I bought an Airshield Pro after my last hitch and have had no problems with jammed up sinuses. To add to me hitting the "I believe" button, I took the filter out of my mask to clean it and it was filthy. All that would have been in my lungs. I'm a believer.
 
Drew Watson said:
I can understand how great it would be to have air blowing in my face but how is that for drying the eyes out? Do you notice the whirr and vibration of the electric motor and how long do the filters last for? How costly are they to replace?
have been to the hospital a few times in respritory distress and been to all the specialists and I have had sinus surgery to get rid of a bad sinus infection due to the duss are cheap too.
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The air comes from the top of the shield and you can feel it and hear the whir of the fan. It is not annoying just like a light cool breeze blowing across the face. It dries my eyes, probably because I don't blink often enough. I don't feel a vibration. The filters life span, I don't know yet. Hope quite a while because I think they are about in the $50 range to replace. The battery is rechargeable, lasts 8 hours.
 
Paul Douglass said:
The air comes from the top of the shield and you can feel it and hear the whir of the fan. It is not annoying just like a light cool breeze blowing across the face. It dries my eyes, probably because I don't blink often enough. I don't feel a vibration. The filters life span, I don't know yet. Hope quite a while because I think they are about in the $50 range to replace. The battery is rechargeable, lasts 8 hours.
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From what I gather from looking at the gear it filters from the back of the head unit without the hoses going down the back to the filter pack?
 
Yes, the filters a located in the "helment". I was actually surprised how light it is. I'm sure it is more than just plastic, like high impact plastic, but it is light and I think I will be careful not to drop it.
 
Jim C Bradley said:
I wear a two band, N95 face mask most of the time---always when sanding. However, I feel top-heavy with ear protection, safety glasses and dust mask. Am I going to feel worse this way (top heavy and closed in that is) if I spend the $300? My billfold area will certainly feel lighter.
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Jim the N95 mask doesn't assure a good face seal and it only deals with the larger particulates. The stuff that hurts is the small small stuff that you can't even see that goes right through those types of masks. Not critcizing your choice, just that we were told all about this in the training we had for asbestos. Something is always better than nothing but like it is said the right tool for the right job. The north system of cartridges is by far the least you want to go with with fine wood dust. I know no beard sucks but my health as well as yours and everyone elses is far more important than a beard.
 
Well - I have saved the link for the Trend Pro face shield because up until now I have been using the N95 disposable masks. I was fit tested at work and I know which to use but still it is not the best. I do not turn every day like alot of people but I do enjoy doing it when I can. This article got me thinking that before I turn another thing I should buy one of the Trend Pro shields.
I just bought a Master wood carver and it really throws up the dust............time to see if I can work some overtime..............:eek:
 
Drew

Hi,

Drew, North System does not mean anything to me. I had a beard once, about 50 years ago so no problem there.

On another site I saw the Rockler mask highly touted with a slew of 5 star responses. URL below. It is a half mask. It has a blower. Other than that and a lot of people liking it I have not found any data. This is also sold by other places.

The appeal to me:
I am little---114 pounds. I do not like weight on my head. I have a $40 AO, two canister face mask that I do not wear.

In masks the raised humidity makes my nose run so I frequently have to stop work and remove mask to blow my nose. This can frequently be a "do it now or you are going to be sorry" situation. This is a MAJOR problem. People say no increase in humidity with the Rockler.

I wear prescription safety glasses. Most mask situations cause radical steaming. In the past drug stores and similar carried little, no-fog lens cleaning sticks (like a lip-stick only with a soft wick in place of the colored goo). I have not been able to find these. Steaming also causes a stop in working, frequently with little warning. People say no steaming with the Rockler.

I have a small head. You should have seen the Navy and Marine Corps trying to find hats (covers) for me. The same thing is probably going to apply to any head gear. Since I have a small head, I also have a small face. This is not a problem with the 95N felt (with breather) masks. However, it could be a problem with the Trend or anything similar. It could be a problem with the Rockler unit but it does not look like it in pictures.

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/4264 for "Rockler Power Air Respirator."

I don't mind wearing foam ear-plugs. I don't mind wearing safety glasses. At the lathe my DC sucks up more stuff than any other unit I have seen or heard of---however, it does not get it all. The DC also works well at my sanding station, router table, drill press, thickness planer, hand belt and orbital sanders, etc.

I am seeking something I can wear that really gets rid of the stuff way down to the particles that get into the alveoli of the lungs causing major problems. I don't think passing 3 microns fits that bill.

Responses really appreciated.

Thanks and Enjoy,

Jim
 
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This is the mask i use when I am sanding and turning and it works the best for me. It replaces the face sheild as well as the dust mask all in one and I have no problem with fog or sweating in it. It isn't too top heavy and even if it was I think it is a small price to pay over what I have gone through with the respritory issues for the past 15 yrs.
 

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Drew Watson said:
This is the mask i use when I am sanding and turning and it works the best for me. It replaces the face sheild as well as the dust mask all in one and I have no problem with fog or sweating in it. It isn't too top heavy and even if it was I think it is a small price to pay over what I have gone through with the respritory issues for the past 15 yrs.
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Drew that looks like the AO that I have. I am going to look at your pic again and then add to this.

Jim
 
Drew Watson said:
This is the mask i use when I am sanding and turning and it works the best for me. It replaces the face sheild as well as the dust mask all in one and I have no problem with fog or sweating in it. It isn't too top heavy and even if it was I think it is a small price to pay over what I have gone through with the respritory issues for the past 15 yrs.
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Drew that looks like the AO that I have. Mine fits over my nose and has a flapper air exit valve. In mine, my nose starts to run in 4 or 5 minutes. My glasses start to fog a bit sooner or a bit later. Maybe I'm just a snotty old man.
My AO has a quick release feature. Pull and the nose-mouth part drops down. However, I can't put it right back on---I have to blow my nose and clean my glasses first. This is why I think that something blowing air across the mask would be a great benefit.

I am not safe in the AO. I am better with the felt mask---but it isn't safe either because it just plain does not fit well enough to filter the damaging stuff.

Jim



Jim
 
Drew Watson said:
Does it have a chin strap?
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No, the strap around the head is adjustable and locks in place. There is material that goes around you chin and side of your face.

I is not good if you suddenly sneeze while wearing it or forget and spit when it is on. I guess that goes with all masks.

I like that it has a clear film over the face shield that you you can remove and replace when it get messed up. It's like the stuff they put on NASCAR windshields.
 
Ok.............so a good one is the Trend pro.......and from reading there are others. I understand they are worth the money spent but I had a couple concerns before spending the money.
Trend Pro - I like how it seems to sit on your head without the straps digging into your head like my AO does and others do. It also have shields you can buy extra as overlays, says it will run 8hrs on full charge. It is a bit pricey but I read the reviews that it is about the best one out there
any other good websites that have similar masks you can think of.........i need to get one but wondering which would be best with a comfortable fit ...........so far it looks like the Trend Pro is the best............

Any other links with a comprable mask??
 
Dan, 3M makes one and it is the best one around. But at $7-800 I'd stick with the Trend. I use a Trition with the holes for the ear muffs velcroed shut. I use that because I got it for $75. Had I not, the Trend would go on my head. Just an update...my medical bills are up to $6,500:eek: for this so far, although we have great insurance, some of you may not...lung protection is a lot cheaper! :wave:
 
I finished a cabinet job on Thursday and ordered a Trend Airshield Pro with the proceeds when I got home. It has been tops on the list but I need to finish this job to get the money.

I have a mask with the cartridges for finish work where it is used for a short period of time. The Airshield should be more comfortable for longer periods of time when sanding and such. Safety glasses really are uncomfortable with the cartridge type mask. My Clearvue only works so well on the equipment it is connected. I felt the need to get the airshield because of lathe work, sanding and cleaning the shop - extended times when wearing breathing protection is necessary.

Dust is more concentrated in a small shop like the ones we have because there is much less air exchange than many industrial settings. This makes it more critical to use breathing protection.

Anyone who works in an industrial setting should have these topics beat into their brain. The paper mill where I work is always putting on safety training. We were always at the bottom of the safety rated plants, but in the last three years, we have turned our safety record around. The difficulty is convincing people that the safety equipment and personal actions (and attitudes) do make a difference. You can be tough or smart.
 
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Particle size

Hi,

My reservation with the Trend is (excuse me, "are") filtration is in the 3 micron size. Jim's Triton filters 95% plus of 1 micron.

According (as I remember) to Bill Penz, you have to get down to the 1 micron size to meet medical standards. If Jim's Triton will do 1 micron, what are the problems that keep the Trend from doing 1 micron. The Trend costs quite a bit more than the Triton so they have more dollars to work with in their design---Why not one micron?

I am sure Jim is aware of this data. He owns a Triton. Yet he says that he would get a Trend if he didn't already have a Triton. Why?

Since I keep referring to Jim, I will add, I hope everything is going well with you and the surgery routine.

Enjoy,

Jim (Bradley, that is)

Oh yes. I said "are" instead of "is" when I mentioned my reservations. The other reason is the price. That is a lot of greenbacks for an old retired goat. However, if the Trend did 1 micron, I would jump at it.
 
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I am just getting back into woodturning after an almost five year absence. I am not a scuba diver but I do swim. It has been recommended to me that Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo lightly applied to the inside of the mask will stop the steaming up. Maybe it will work with the Trend and other masks?

Also, a question about the Trend. To put it bluntly, I have a big head (lots of bone maybe a couple of brain cells). For hats I need a size 8 1/2. Will the Trend fit?

Finally, I can not emphasize ear protection enough. I am a former Marine who used to be in artillery. Did not always wear my ear protection. I have Tinnitis big time in both ears. Don't skimp.
 
Jim C Bradley said:
Hi,

My reservation with the Trend is (excuse me, "are") filtration is in the 3 micron size. Jim's Triton filters 95% plus of 1 micron. /QUOTE]

Jim,

The Trend Airshield Pro is rated a 0.3 micron at 98% efficienty rating. I am aware of Bill Pentz data and is why I also bought a Clearvue cyclone. The range of harmful particulate is 0.5 to 2 micron that your body cannot catch or purge.

My only concern is 98% efficiency good enough and how is it measured. Is it a true efficiency rating or a skewed version to make the data fit the sales pitch.
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Hi Jim,
Couple of reasons for the Triton...no external protrusions...the hose on the Triton can get caught on things and cause an accident. Replacement parts are much more accessable for for a Trend. The Trend seals around the face better as the neck cuff on the Triton drapes over the shoulders depending on the postitive pressure to keep particulate matter out. However, the Trend, as of a year ago hadn't been tested by the FDA or OSHA were the Triton had.

Thanks for the wishes!! Pre-op's tomorrow. Keeping busy to keep my mind off stuff!
 
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