PAPR respiration recommendations and discussion

[Kumdo]

A search for PAPR gets a gazillion hits because of a (very helpful) cut & paste post that 12345678910 offers up every time a fledgling asks how to get started in knife making (good LORD there are a lot of new guys wanting to become makers these days). Anyway, I haven't found much but I know some of you use them.

After going through probably 6 high end full face respirators over the past 14 or so years, I now wish I would have been smart and went PAPR from the beginning. Would have saved $ in the long run and I probably would be healthier and happier.

So what do you all recommend? The kind that requires dragging a hose around the shop doesn't sound appealing, but I would definitely like to hear from you who use these. Is the hose a cumbersome trip hazard?

As for the portable units, which kind have you used? Any feedback?

Finally, I know some of us believe we need organic vapor/formaldehyde rated cartridges/systems. Do YOU worry about this, or are you mostly concerned about carbon fiber, G10, etc particulates?

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[atavist]

I only use a respirator if working with inorganic materials (g10, micarta, epoxy, etc...) when grinding metal I keep a bucket of water about 4 inches from the bottom of the grinder wheel and a vacuum for wood dust.

Just my 2 cents...

Though something not often discussed I am a strong advocate of low IR safety glasses when running the forge for anything other than normalizing.