I have been using a plain face shield since I started turning but whilst this has provided physical protection to my face from flying objects it has done nothing to protect my lungs from the dust generated when working with wood.
Of course we’re all advised of the need to use suitable protection via respirators but face shields with respirators are expensive so it is a purchase that I’m sure I’m not the only one to neglect.
Anyway, I’ve finally taken the plunge and bought a powered respirator/face shield.
I went for the Rutland TH3, This uses a belt mounted power pack and fan making the headset lighter than some other models.
The battery needs charging so I’ll only get to test drive it tomorrow. Meanwhile I’ll just model it!
One thing that is useful when discussing PAPRs is that “powered respirator” describes a design principle, not a single type of protection.
A woodworking PAPR may be designed primarily for airborne particles and dust. Other powered systems use different filters and facepieces for industrial gases, emergency response or CBRN hazards. What they share is the blower: instead of relying entirely on the wearer to pull air through the filter, a powered unit moves filtered air toward the breathing zone.
The same concept exists in civil-defence equipment. For example, the Israeli ONYX 45 blower supplies up to 45 L/min and can be paired with a 40 mm system such as the 4A1 / Black Diamond Simplex full-face mask or a Sapphire powered hood. Complete configurations are sold by CBRNMASKS.com.
But the filter remains critical. A blower does not make one filter suitable for every hazard, and a dust PAPR should not be treated as interchangeable with a CBRN system.
A useful way to evaluate any powered respirator is therefore: airflow + facepiece/hood design + filter type + intended hazard, rather than airflow alone.