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13 reviews
The right accessory for a particular job
Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun.
Regular house owner here, not a tradie. Old fogie with beard! Very dusty old cellar to clear out so I got one of these.
The best bit: easy to breathe, no strain as with conventional filters. Battery lasts a long time. Charging is easy and the battery is light in weight. You tune out the motor noise after a while, and when using power tools the fan sound is completely drowned out. Airflow clears steamed up specs well.
Some caveats though:
Limited upward vision, bit like wearing blinkers and a peak so harder to see where you're going if you are moving around in confined spaces (attics, small storerooms). No problem if you're just standing at a machine. Banged my head a couple of times on shelves etc, but the hard hat part worked just fine.
Spectacle wearers like me might find it difficult to get a good fit around the sides of the face depending on how much the arms of your specs extend sideways. Mine do, quite a lot. The foam strips between screen and face are removable for cleaning, and have sticky pads at the top on each side to reattach to the headband part. The pads soon lost stickyness, and the sides lost fit.
This is really important as airflow can be diverted out before passing over nose/mouth area, defeating the whole point of the respirator. I used a needle and (loose) thread to improve the fit between sides and headband, which helped. The thread will have to be unfastened again for thorough cleaning before packing away. See pic 4 for view of side seal stitched to headband.
So much depends on your working environment. In my case, I ended up coughing a bit after the first time I used the respirator.
The work at the time raised a few clouds of very fine wood dust, somewhat like cement or plaster dust, some of which got past the face seal.
I think this is partly because of the fitting problems mentioned but also because I was at times doing strenuous work moving heavy materials, and I think fast breathing defeated the little fan, and air came in around the sides near my specs on "in breaths".
I tried to keep the filters as clean as possible by tapping the cartridges on a firm surface in the open air from time to time. A lot of dust came off them that way. You might see some scratches in the attached pics that were caused by contact with rough surfaces.
I don't think it would be such a problem at all if you were not doing heavy work and your dust was more like regular sawdust or wood chips from a lathe, for example, or if you were to use a fine dust extractor on your machines. I was using a regular vacuum cleaner which helped a lot, but obviously not enough. Maybe a more powerful motor would help with performance in a wider range of scenarios.
The pre-filters helped a lot, but it took some research A) to find out they are there and B) to get them out for cleaning. They are fitted under the plastic outer part of the filter cartridge which pulls off with some persuasion. See pics for how they go together.
I tried rinsing them under the cold tap (no soap) which worked well. They were rather discoloured before rinsing, but once dried again looked indistinguishable from a new one. Some filters use static to attract the finest particles, I hope that rinsing with plain water doesn't affect this property if it exists in the pre-filters.
Once again your mileage might vary, in a different environment, dust might have different qualities and not wash off so easily.
With the pre-filters removed, the main filters looked pretty good, given the state the pre-filters were in before rinsing.
If I'd known, I'd have bought replacement pre-filters when I bought the respirator, but it didn't take long to receive another pack of 10 in the post. They work out at just under £1.50 each inc. postage.
I'm guessing the main filters are not washable, but I don't know. When these ones are blocked I'll do the experiment, but won't rely on the process to maintain good filtration. I don't fancy risking my lungs. If the filters perform reasonably well (there's a flow meter in the kit) after cleaning then I'll only use them when larger chips are the issue (lathe) not for fine sanding etc.
Would I buy it again knowing what I know now? Yes, for my casual/hobby use it's ok. But if I was a young tradesman/woman with many dusty years ahead, I might want something much more appropriate effective, efficient, and less hassle to fit well (lads, shave the beard off). Get the right tool for the job is what I mean. The investment is important, don't risk your health.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: axminstertools
Perfect.
It works so well. a nice air filtered air flow over my face, comfortable and lite to wear, easy on and off my head, perfect for for spectacle wearers, no misting, l I love it. *o*
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: axminstertoolso...
Need to be able to buy spares more easily
Great mask, had an air cap 4 for 15 years this I hope will see the next 10 , best mask I’ve used
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: axminstertools
Just as described and recommended by the craftsmen on YouTube: very quiet running, cool fresh air blowing across the face. Spot on.
Just as described and recommended by the craftsmen on YouTube: very quiet running, cool fresh air blowing across the face. Spot on.
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: axminstertools
Not just in the workshop !
A great product, I feel 100% safe when I'm wearing it,
I also wear it outside gardening in hot weather, keeps the face cool!
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: axminstertools
Great
When received it was like new, so much more comfortable than masks and goggles. Yes there is noise from the fan but it’s not bad and if you are using power tools or machines you won’t notice it.
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: refurbished • Sold by: axminstertoolso...
Perfect face mask
Lloyds and easy to use the rubbish out your face and fresh air supply
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: axminstertools
Great respirator
Filters the air while allowing it to flow over your face.
Large enough to allow the wearer to were spectacles.
Only downside……..a little pricy.
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: axminstertools
Reassuringly efficient
Good visability reasonable weight on the head not unreasonably noisy adjustment is basic but works
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: axminstertools
Respirator
It’s great and it does what it says on the box
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: axminstertools