Resp-O-Rator?

JG Custom Metal Works

JG Custom Metal Works

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Nov 27, 2013
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I've been looking at getting a Resp-O-Rator but wanted to see if anyone here had experience with them. I have a full beard and the half-face respirators aren't cutting it anymore. It's a fairly large beard(and getting larger) so I doubt a full-face respirator would work either.

I've done a good amount of reading online about them and it seems some folks love them but others are skeptical. I found one gentleman, who claims to be a lung specialist, who states that the "filtering efficiency" leaves something to be desired. His full post is the last post in this thread:

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?80810-Respirator&highlight=Resp-o-Rator

From what I'm finding it's efficiency doesn't seem to be all that far off from normal P100 filters, which are pretty much standard for particulates.

At this time I don't have more than $60-$70 to drop on a new respirator. What I'm trying to figure out is if the Resp-O-Rator would be worth it? The filters seem a little high, depending on how long they last. To those who have used one, are they a proprietary filter or can you use standardized filters?

Finally, I've read the "How much are your lungs worth to you?" comments many times in regards to this subject. I value my lungs a lot, I just flat out don't have $1000 to drop on a high-end respirator. I'm just trying to determine whether the Resp-O-Rator, in particular, will meet my needs.

Any light you guys could shed on this would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and here's a link to the product if you're unfamiliar. The one I'm looking at is the Model JR-7. The model 100 looks like it would end up sopping wet from condensation.

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/tools/resp/
 
I used a functionally identical device that I built myself. The main issue is drool; your mouth will be constantly salivating. The second issue is that your lips become the boundary between filth and cleanliness. Imagine wearing one of these while grinding G10 for 2 hours. Your face and lips will be covered in G10 dust. You finish your grind session and take out the respirator. If you lick your lips, you have a mouthful of G10 dust. The next time you go to use your respirator, one end of the mouthpiece will be covered in your evaporated saliva, the other end will be covered in G10 dust. You'll find yourself constantly cleaning it and feeling like dust is getting into your mouth.
 
I have been using the P100 for the last 3 months in a freezing cold shop and I haven't noticed any excess condensation, The best part no more fogged up glass's

Like Patrick said there is a drooling issue, but for me that stops after 5 minutes or so, The trick is keeping your teeth together and not biting the mouth piece

The other thing I noticed, I have been a nose breather all my life and found the nose clamp to be uncomfortable, but without it, 10 or 15 minutes into my grinding session I would start to breath through my nose and wouldn't notice, so I had to get use to the clamp

other then those couple things I love it
 
I would start with one of the silicone half masks, I use North, but 3 M is popular


From there, you can upgrade them with the kits for battery packs, filter and hose that mount behind your waist.


Pulmonary specialist commen's are mostly about the filter quality

P100 is what you want



I saw comments about someone who used this, but didn't use the nose plugs and "just breathed through their mouth"
But then in a later post complained about black booogers

(that tells you about how effective that was)
You should be black booger free.
 
I use a Resp-o-rator all the time. Simply one of the coolest inventions ever made.
Drool has NEVER been a problem - or even an issue.
One of the biggest problems I see in knife making is trying to avoid the obvious pitfalls of all the grinding going on in shops - breathing protection, dust collection, etc., especially when it comes to handle materials. (Not to mention the unnecessary costs of belts)
My first advice is to quit grinding and making all that dust in the first place.
Use files and rasps and all the big chunks just fall on the floor and never become airborne in the first place.
Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Here is the floor right below where I just got done filing an African Blackwood handle to shape with rasps and files.
NONE of this went up into the air in the first place.
And I file stag, ivory, Micarta, G-10, wood, etc.

It might pay to re-think how some things are done.
If they cause problems - there might be a better solution.
I realize not all knife making situations can be handled with files, but the $$ I've saved over the years from not needing to buy grinding belts for handles has been rather profound.
Not to mention not having a shop filled with dust.
Or my lungs.



 
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I use the resp-o-rator along with a dust evacuation system that is a semi-closed loop in my grinder shroud. I am also currently working on an upgrade for the breather to use 3M filters.

The truth of the matter is that I don't use stabilized wood or grind phenolics. If I did, I would probably trim the beard and wear the full face.
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
I realize not all knife making situations can be handled with files, but the $$ I've saved over the years from not needing to buy grinding belts for handles has been rather profound.
Click to expand...

Karl first off I would like to say you are a mad man...sandles and socks in a metal shop, It takes a significant set of danglers to risk droping a 4 foot bar of steel across ones toes ;0)

2nd do you maybe feel that the time saved using power tools could be devoted to increasing your free time or increasing your production output? or are you going for the 100% hand made idea as a sales point?
 
Thanks for all the info guys, I think I'm gonna try one out.

How does the filter attach to the respirator? Does anyone have a picture of the attachment points? I'd really appreciate it.

Does it look like either one of these:



 
JG Custom Metal Works said:


Click to expand...

356_4842_popup.jpg
 
John Katt said:
Karl first off I would like to say you are a mad man...sandles and socks in a metal shop, It takes a significant set of danglers to risk droping a 4 foot bar of steel across ones toes ;0)

2nd do you maybe feel that the time saved using power tools could be devoted to increasing your free time or increasing your production output? or are you going for the 100% hand made idea as a sales point?
Click to expand...

When I'm dealing with any steel bars like in the forge area - I'm wearing boots.

Filing my handles has nothing to do with "sales".
I've been doing this a while.
A 60 grit belt running across a handle can make a mess of things quite quickly. Then you've got a problem to fix. Or you have to start over.
Been there - done that. Far too many times.
Files remove material gradually - but precisely.
No mistakes to fix.
The handle material is never over heated - or burned.
The shop isn't filled with dust.
No belts to wear out and replace - $$$.

One thing I have found to be true - and is written on my wall - "Slower = better. Better = faster."

Increasing my "production output" is not a factor in my shop.

Using my rasps and files is not one bit slower than using a belt grinder.
 
12345678910 said:
I would start with one of the silicone half masks, I use North, but 3 M is popular


From there, you can upgrade them with the kits for battery packs, filter and hose that mount behind your waist.


Pulmonary specialist commen's are mostly about the filter quality

P100 is what you want



I saw comments about someone who used this, but didn't use the nose plugs and "just breathed through their mouth"
But then in a later post complained about black booogers

(that tells you about how effective that was)
You should be black booger free.
Click to expand...

I can't use a regular respirator due to my beard.

From the looks of the above filters, you can use P100 filters with the Resp-O-Rator.
 
I just realized that I gave the filter number but left out the fact that I am using the resp-o-rator JR
 
Here are some measurements. I haven't found any compatible filters. Which is why I intend to modify/replace the mounting bracket.

IMG_3943.jpgIMG_3946.jpgIMG_3945.jpgIMG_3947.jpg
 
The main thing for me is that I actually use the resp-o-rator instead of letting it sit on the shelf. It is quite comfortable.
 
I use resp-o-rator while grinding as well. Condensation (and/or drool) is typically a problem for me as well. It always ends up dripping down my shirt. I might have to put a vented canister on the output like that goofy giant fake sword guy on tv.

--nathan
 
silver_pilate said:
I use resp-o-rator while grinding as well. Condensation (and/or drool) is typically a problem for me as well. It always ends up dripping down my shirt. I might have to put a vented canister on the output like that goofy giant fake sword guy on tv.

--nathan
Click to expand...

It's my understanding that if you keep the mouthpiece in between your lips and your teeth and keep your teeth clenched then drool won't be a problem.
 
It's not so much the drool but the condensation that gets messy. You also have to rinse it out frequently... but you should be cleaning out a regular mask as well. I am going to do the baby bottle thing like the big sword guy, too. Mine drips down my beard.... guhh.
 
SO after reading this it's still not clear. IS the resp o rator sufficeint for g10 and such? thanks
 
zealot said:
SO after reading this it's still not clear. IS the resp o rator sufficeint for g10 and such? thanks
Click to expand...

IMO yes. Especially if you have a big beard. I've been using !one for a few weeks now and it works a lot better than the half face ones. You can also get p100 filters(from the company linked above) and they're pretty much the standard for knifemaking.
 
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