Air Fed Mask over Powered?

[Normsthename]

I recently bought a 3M Visionair Air Fed Mask off of Ebay, but since then I have found out that it needs extra filtration units to use it safely with a Compressor
These Filters start from around £200+ and the Filters are expensive at £60+
I don't know how long they last either.....
I have been thinking about selling the Air Fed Mask and getting a Powered mask with a Filter like the 3M Dustmaster.
These retail for about £320.....but the FIlters are a lot cheaper at approx. £14
I will only be using it with my Sandblaster Cabinet, but with the amount of Blasting that I will be doing I think that one of these will be ideal
You only get one set of Lungs
Has anyone had any experience of using these powered Air Masks?

Thanks

Andy

 

[rtbcomp]

Is this the sort of filter http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Filter-tube-for-Scorpion-Shotblast-Helmet_W0QQitemZ7570694799QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item7570694799&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Are you using a cabinet or a blastroom? For a cabinet you only need a paper mask to catch any dust that may leak out, the air from the cabinet should be extracted and the dust filtered out.

I've got a Scorpion sandblasting helmet (£200) which I feed with air from a car heater.

 

[Normsthename]

Are you using a cabinet or a blastroom?

I am using a modified Clarke Blast Cabinet with the 20 Gallon Sandblaster
And I am also designing a new large cabinet that I will be able to blast Large Items

For a cabinet you only need a paper mask to catch any dust that may leak out, the air from the cabinet should be extracted and the dust filtered out.

I hate wearing paper masks, I also have a Canister Type mask which is also uncomfortable to wear for more than a couple of minutes.
That is why I want the fresh air system, it will encourage me to use it!
It will also be used for other things like grinding etc
This is the type of Powered Air Mask that I was talking about :-

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/96190/Workwear-PPE/Protective-Clothing/Respiratory-Protection/Powered-Air-Purifying-Dustmaster-Pack?cm_mmc=GoogleBase-_-Datafeed-_-Workwear%20and%20PPE-_-Powered%20Air%20Purifying%20Dustmaster%20Pack

They have 8 hour Battery life and you can fit various filters to them

the air from the cabinet should be extracted and the dust filtered out

Today I modified the cabinet to use the 20 Gallon Blaster
I fitted the Blaster hose thru' the Lefthand extractor vent using a Car Universal CV Joint rubber Gaiter to keep the dust in.
It worked a treat and that is now completely dust tight
I also modified the standard Rear Air Vent, dust used to pour out of that opening.
I fitted a Scotchbrite sheet over the hole to keep the dust in but still allow air to go in.
I drilled a new hole lower down for the extractor hose to exit.
I vented this thru' my Cyclone system that you saw in a Project Thread
It worked really well, it stopped about 95% of the dust, and the small amount leftover vented outside where there is no one around.
With all the Mods done there is now no visible dust in the workshop when Blasting
I just need the Powered Air Mask now to be 100% Safe

Andy

 

[rtbcomp]

Did you have the bag fitted to the extractor fan?

 

[Normsthename]

Did you have the bag fitted to the extractor fan?

No it just goes thru' the cyclone and then vents outside.
The cyclone did catch some grit, I emptied the bucket beforehand, and there was a tiny amount after blasting a footboard off of my Scooter

Andy