Gareth J
Member
- Messages
- 3,333
- Location
- North Cornwall
Over a year ago, I bought a couple of these kits:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=112035785353&alt=web
Can't say for sure which seller they were from but they were for sure from China or HK. The price of imported uk ones isnt much more now but at the time, they were a lot more. I figured they looked ok and it was worth a gamble.
I expected they might be poor quality knock offs and as soon as I'd bought them I regretted being cheap with safety. But on arrival they looked pretty good, all mouldings ok, that sort of thing.
A year+ on, I can't believe how they're holding up, I use mine probably a couple hrs a week and generally abuse it, the headband is melted halfway through (still holding) from hot mig wire stickout and the outer got a bit disfigured in a rather nasty workbench fire but it's ok. Still seals nicely, silicone supple, elastic still springy. The other one gets more use but only with sawdust, no sparks, no heat. Probably 3 hrs a week and washes up nice.
I generally only use the particulate filters, they're slim enough to fit under a welding hat and I'm still not totally sure I trust the carbon filters.
A massive saving over buying packs of 3 disposable masks from the local shop, more comfortable and more efficient sealing too. Win, win
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=112035785353&alt=web
Can't say for sure which seller they were from but they were for sure from China or HK. The price of imported uk ones isnt much more now but at the time, they were a lot more. I figured they looked ok and it was worth a gamble.
I expected they might be poor quality knock offs and as soon as I'd bought them I regretted being cheap with safety. But on arrival they looked pretty good, all mouldings ok, that sort of thing.
A year+ on, I can't believe how they're holding up, I use mine probably a couple hrs a week and generally abuse it, the headband is melted halfway through (still holding) from hot mig wire stickout and the outer got a bit disfigured in a rather nasty workbench fire but it's ok. Still seals nicely, silicone supple, elastic still springy. The other one gets more use but only with sawdust, no sparks, no heat. Probably 3 hrs a week and washes up nice.
I generally only use the particulate filters, they're slim enough to fit under a welding hat and I'm still not totally sure I trust the carbon filters.
A massive saving over buying packs of 3 disposable masks from the local shop, more comfortable and more efficient sealing too. Win, win