3m Versaflo PAPR

[Lorien]

I hear that clearly about the half-mask. I wore one a LOT in my job days; half masks, full face, supplied air, even the whole hazmat suit plumbed-in air a couple times. All have their drawbacks. Even the predecessor of the 3M Breatheasy (Racal) had a way-heavy helmet that looked like something out of star wars.. There is another one-piece device called a Trend Airshield which used to be contained in an open-top visor but now has a cover over the head.
That JSP looks like a nice unit. And I also believe (with my ex-safety officer hat on) that your safety burden lung-wise a s a knifemaker is far higher from particulates in the long run than the amount of chemical exposure we breathe.
Enjoy your better vision and clean air!!!

thanks!
I have to wear prescription glasses, so I'm really looking forward to some fog free grinding

 

[Lorien]

today I tore my grinding area apart, did a bunch of vacuuming and replaced my 'shower curtain' which shields the rest of my shop from grinding residues. It's been a long time coming, and although what I had going before was mostly working, it was under engineered, while the new set up is both more skookum and also seals up the area quite a bit better. Anyway, I wore the powercap while I was doing this stuff, about two hours of work. There was a lot of dust flying around, and I didn't breathe any in. The field of vision is amazeballs, and I'm looking forward to grinding since I don't have to look over my half mask which I think was causing me some issues with my back and neck. It does have some weight to it, but the weight's distributed pretty well when my head is in a neutral position. But today, I was looking up a lot, screwing things into the ceiling and whatnot, and that extra weight did take a toll with my neck cranked up. The fan kept my face pleasantly cool, we'll see what it's like when the temperature drops. The fan makes noise, which I tuned out pretty quick, but I like to listen to music while I grind so my ear pieces will likely block out the noise.

I don't wanna be one of those knife makers who gets sick and dies from lung disease, so even though I could've gotten some nice tools and supplies for the price of this thing, I have no ragerts parting with the money it takes to help keep me healthy. Got a bunch of nasty burlap micarta to grind tomorrow, and I'm actually looking forward to it!

 

[fitzo]

I had actual medical use from my Versaflo this summer. The smoke from the fires in the far north got so bad down here in Chicagoland for a couple days it bothered my COPD a bunch. Heavens only know what happened to those in the really bad air. I had a sudden "!!!" idea and put the unit on. Bingo. HEPA is way nice in smoke.

 

[Lorien]

got half a dozen handles shaped today, took about 4 hours maybe less, and I'm very happy to report that I didn't get any dust in my eyes. The prefilters were pretty clogged at the end of it all, so I think I need to add a little more exhaust filtration, (and a couple feeder fans above my head)) and things will be a lot less messy

 

[REK Knives]

Love these 3m masks... They literally make every single part replaceable which is super nice for longevity

 

[FredyCro]

Having a dedicated dirt/grinding room and wearing one of these would effectively cancel the need of any dust collection, no?

I will soon be working on setting up the new shop and figuring the dust collection and air filtering set up gave me a head ache. This looks like a simpler solution.

 

[REK Knives]

Having a dedicated dirt/grinding room and wearing one of these would effectively cancel the need of any dust collection, no?

I will soon be working on setting up the new shop and figuring the dust collection and air filtering set up gave me a head ache. This looks like a simpler solution.

Would probably still be a good idea to have SOME dust collection but if you are just gonna have a mask this is the one I'd get

 

[FredyCro]

Would probably still be a good idea to have SOME dust collection but if you are just gonna have a mask this is the one I'd get

Yeah, a simple roll cart with a shop vac and dust cyclone as a movable unit for handle materials. Water bucket for the steel grinding. Sweep/vacuum clean every couple of weeks. Epoxy floor and either some metal sheets on the walls or even tiles.