How many people actually use an air fed mask?

[bonepyro]

Following on from the recent couple of posts about the dangers of welding fumes and that we should wear respirators, I have been using a 3M 6000 series half mask under my welding visor for some time. The black snot that I was getting after a session of welding / cutting was enough to worry me in to doing this.

I guess this leads to a couple of questions;

Will the particulate filter do the job of removing the dangerous junk?

Who on this forum actually uses an air fed mask?

That last question then prompts what make, model , cost since although you cannot put a cost on heatlh and longevity, there is a level of affordability that govorns what is possible for hobby activities. Also any pros /cons regarding airline or battery powered fan unit types?

 

[the snooper]

I would think that a simple carbon filter mask will be fine for welding fumes unless you have special need for air fed I would say it will just get in your way and annoy you

 

[Nivag]

I use disposable 3M 9925 face masks for quick jobs or an ESAB Origa Air fed helmet for larger jobs. Both do an excellent job in my view. I believe the Adflo would be very good quality/design but possibly difficult to justify the cost for home/hobby use. Nivag

 

[Sanny]

I use esab air fed mask at work only use it when welding buckets or structural steel stuff or when im going to be welding a lot, dont use it for tacking up, use my cheapo parweld for that.
Must admit they are fantastic for keeping the crap out, keep an eye on ebay for air fed units, thats where I got mine from.

 

[bpcoryton]

i use an adflo coupled to an esab bucket modified with a fixed glass fillter,ideal as i work outside meaning this time of year the glass fillter always fogs up inside,with haveing the air pack running it keeps it clear,the only down side is laying down/crawling into tight spaces with the air pack strapped on can get in the way at times !

 

[ukracer]

I picked up a speedglas and air pack at a great price BUT what a PITA using it for small bits and testing etc. I really need to get a decent cheapo if only for the convenience for quick small jobs etc.

In a nutshell its great and does mean you can see what you are welding but once its on its on . I think both have their uses.

 

[fire hazzard]

Love my adflo unit keeps the crap out and keeps you cool in the summer.
Im just a production welder working for agency's so you get sent to all manner of 5hitholes,I worked at one place that actually had a major extractor fire.The stench for months afterwards I had complained about the lack of effective fume removal months before.Because a airfed mask is only effective when your wearing it.Someone grassed them up in the end(not me) and they installed a new unit,but by the time it was up and running i had done one.Health comes first in my view.Especially if your welding galvanized or oily parts.Air turbo units can be expensive but if you take your time you can pick them up cheap on ebay i started of with a 3m dustmaster £40.00 on ebay just turbo unit hose and filter.I used a modified motorola phone charger to charge it as it had the closest output charge voltage.It never got used much,and really kept only as a spare.I did work at one place where health and safety was paramount,and you couldn't weld without a airfed mask.Which they would provide you with depending on how long you worked there,this was great as all around there were abandoned speedglas 9000 series masks which you could Ahem borrow parts from.