Comments on: DIY Powered Respirator

By: shop vac parts

shop vac parts — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:30:38 +0000

nice simple project. looks a little too cumbersome to use in my workshop, but there are some days where I kick up so much saw dust that the simple paper masks just don’t cut it.

By: Greg Naherne

Greg Naherne — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 02:48:53 +0000

I must commend you on your creativity and interest in protecting yourself from workshop chemical hazards. In fact, many of the hazards found in industrial workplaces are equally found and just as dangerous in the home workshop.

However, as a Certified Industrial Hygienist I must tell you that it is not a good idea to jury-rig your own respiratory protection equipment (RPE). YOUR health depends on it working properly each and every time to a high level of performance.

You can purchase NIOSH certified powered air purifying RPE from many sources at reasonable cost today.

Your mind and heart are in the right place. I urge you and others who might want to emulate this to make sure that your lungs are in the right place as well, namely in professionally designed RPE.

BTW, you can develop respiratory allergies without developing skin allergies. Pinenes in pine sap can cause respiratory allergies. If truly sensitized, chances are that you will remain sensitized for life and perhaps susceptible to other allergens as well. One can develop allergic asthma to western red cedar and to many hardwoods as well.

Take care

Greg N.

By: Myself

Myself — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 07:47:33 +0000

Allergies certainly can be fatal. After the first reaction, the second is usually stronger. Look up “anaphylaxis”, it’s no laughing matter.

Anyway, for a particle that’s fairly large, this is a great solution. As he says, it’s not for painting, but the paper filter element is probably fine for sawdust.

By: epooch

epooch — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:32:04 +0000

I like how he used pine wood to make a frame for the filter… to protect him from the pine wood.

The school bus conversion was nicely done and everything this guy does is very well documented.

By: usbcd36

usbcd36 — Sun, 27 May 2007 23:05:26 +0000

How is it that the guy builds an RV out of a school bus, yet his achievement featured on Hack a Day is a respirator?

By: BÃ¥rd Lund Johansen

BÃ¥rd Lund Johansen — Sun, 27 May 2007 20:28:08 +0000

Very nice indeed! As an add-on you could get one of those relativly cheap HEPA filters for new anti allergic vacums. Then you’ll be breathing cleaner air than mother nature can provide.

By: Jake von Slatt

Jake von Slatt — Sun, 27 May 2007 14:51:10 +0000

Hey guys,

Just to clarify - the headaches were sinus related. Sinus inflammation can cause all manner of in-specific pain, from temperature sensitive teeth to the headaches like I got.

Note that some woods generate genuinely poisonous dust, the automotive air filter I used is not suitable for protecting against those particles.

Jake.

By: userjjb

userjjb — Sun, 27 May 2007 05:58:05 +0000

@bird603568
Last time I checked headaches weren’t fatal; it’s not like he’s working with nerve gas, it’s just wood. For such a purpose a DIY mask fills the niche nicely.

By: Wolfmankurd

Wolfmankurd — Sun, 27 May 2007 03:54:34 +0000

Ironlizard, Allergies tend to cause runny nose itchy eyes skin etc, Cedar causes this. But this guy doesn’t get this. Just saying, it doesn’t have to be an allergy, like alcohol gives a hang over to some people, that has a headache but it’s not allergy. It might be caused by the pine wood, but it’s not an allergy.

By: strider_mt2k

strider_mt2k — Sun, 27 May 2007 02:28:48 +0000

Great fun at parties too.

What?

By: bird603568

bird603568 — Sat, 26 May 2007 22:43:43 +0000

cool but i dont think i would trust my life on a diy mask

By: ironlizard

ironlizard — Sat, 26 May 2007 22:36:41 +0000

Wolfmankurd: What, you’ve never heard of a cedar allergy?

Now I just need to adapt this to VOC’s.

By: alex mccown

alex mccown — Sat, 26 May 2007 20:10:09 +0000

if it comes to the point that i need 1 of thease i rather buy a store bought one (well i jest dont trust diy stuff for saving my life (like the mythbusters diy refibulater))

By: static

static — Sat, 26 May 2007 18:52:49 +0000

Probably the best hack I have been referred to by hackaday. Solves a real world problem and the construction was immaculate. BTW; the respirator does have an activated charcoal element. The auto air filter is in the correct place protecting the reminder of the pack from particulate matter.

By: Wolfmankurd

Wolfmankurd — Sat, 26 May 2007 15:09:44 +0000

I doubt it was a true allergic reaction, far more likely to be due to a chemical in the wood. For example, if it was allergic why wasn’t his hands, mouth, and eyes problematic. I know Abietic acid can cause problems. Bah who cares it’s fixed now.