Replies

1. 
   simpsj91 | Mar 05, 2006 05:46pm | #1

   The air shield works well with fine particles judging by the amount of dust in the filter, although you can feel a bit claustrophobic until you get used to it.  It has the benefit of not steaming up and can be worn with glasses.  The down side for me is the iritating noise of the motor.  It isn't that loud compared to other things, but it's whining away quite close to your ears!  I have to say that I prefer a ducted dust collection system now.  I only wear the air shield when I'm emptying the collection bags for the big system.

1. 
   KeithNewton | May 16, 2006 05:41am | #5

   I have only wished for those powered shield/filters, but I keep chocking on the price. I know they can't be that expensive to produce. I do have a good heavy-duty face shield, and always have dust mask around, but what I have found and use most often are mask that I get from my dentist.The particle mask are a rectangular accordian folded rectangle which expands and fits my face far better than the typical molded smotheration divices sold in the stores. I get so much flow around those that my glasses fog, and that attracts dust so bad I can't see, so I pull them down around my neck the first chance i get, then forget to put the back on until I am choking. These are a lot more comfortable. Rather than the elastic around the neck, they have either an elastic loop that hooks around each ear, or a little soft tie-ribbon that goes around each ear also. If you choose to remove one side to talk on the phone, or whatever, I just leave it hanging from one ear. The way it dangles there is a good reminder to put it back on. However if some cute young sweetie comes around, she is going to think you are a goober, but don't let that bother you and maybe you will live longer. These were only $10 for a box of 50. I think the girls in the office gave them to me for their cost.I also get some full face shields that I like and use a lot more than the big armored one. It is very light-weight, so should only be used for like when you don't want to get saw-dust in your eyes, like sawing overhead, or some routing steps. You wouldn't want to be wearing it when a big turning blank came off of the lathe and hit you in the face though. But they are cheap and disposable, and stay clean pretty good.

2. 
   Lataxe | Mar 07, 2006 07:27pm | #2

   I too have a Trend airshield.

   The things that I like about it is the clean, cool air and the lack of misting up so you can wear your glasses, no problem.  And it does filter fine stuff (1/2 a micron is claimed).

   The things I dislike are the rather poor headstrap (the mask can shift on your head if you move suddenly or bend right over) and the age it takes (14 hours!) to charge the batteries.

   I don't mind the fan noise, which is fairly gentle on mine; and is mostly drowned out, anyway, by my hearing protection.

   In the UK the airshield costs around £150, which is too much really.  On the other hand....

   A friend of mine has a better-made item (don't know what maker though) which has the fan, filters and a larger battery at waist level on a belt.  The face mask is connected to the fan at his belt via a flexihose down his back.  He looks a bit like someone out of "Killer Virus, the movie".

   Although my pal's device is: lighter and more secure on his face; with a quick charge battery; and rather better all round than the Trend, it cost twice as much.

   I suck as much dust as possible into the collector at source and don't always need the airshield. But some woods create finer, more fly-about dust than others; and some itch my conk worse than others - sapele is my bete noir. The Trend prevents the sneezes at all times and is worth it if your sucker doesn't always get everything that irritates you.

   I imagine an airshield would be de rigeur if you were unwise enough to use MDF (makes sign of cross and rattles ju-ju), for instance.

1. 
   John_D | May 14, 2006 10:02pm | #3

   Could you post the brand name of this better item?  I might be tempted...

   Thanks!

   PS Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I just saw a reference to it.My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

1. 
   tms | May 15, 2006 08:11pm | #4

   Hey John,I think the rig that he described is a 3M "Breath Easy". I bought one last year because I do a lot of wood buffing with Tripoli compounds that are pretty rough on the lungs. I started out with a MSR silicone half mask respirator, but in the summer I just couldn't stand wearing it for long sessions.The Breath Easy is great! I circulates cool air over the top of my head, and onto the face shield to keep it clear of fogging. The air exhausts just under my ears. The helmet is easily adjustable, and the face shield swings up an locks when not in use. You can get tear off layers to cover the face shield if your doing particularly nasty work.You can get variations that work in organic vapor environments as well, but they don't come cheap.Tom

   Edited 5/15/2006 1:13 pm ET by tms