Woodworkers in all disciplines are becoming increasingly aware of the risks implicit in breathing dust-laden air.  Some may say that this is because we aren't as tough as our predecessors, but this is a simplistic and wilfully dangerous avoidance of the facts.  Modern woodworking methods - especially using power tools - create far more dust, of a smaller particle size, than the techniques used by previous generations.  Routing, sanding, planing and sawing equipment all produce large volumes of airborne particles.  Turning dry timber and any lathe sanding does the same.

Having a chip extractor is an excellent idea, but most of those machines are designed to remove only the larger particles from the atmosphere, as their name implies.  We all tend to call such devices 'dust-extractors' but that is not their true function.  Indeed, if the chip extractor is sited in the workshop and vents its air back into the workshop atmosphere it is probably a major source of the sub-micron size particles which are the main causes of respiratory irritations, infections - and cancers.

One of the very best of the solutions available to combat this significant hazard is a personal dust mask or, preferably, a powered respirator.  Having used such devices for many years, we have selected proven and effective products from major manufacturers which are designed to protect your health and reduce the chance of death from respiratory illness.

Once upon a time workshop personal respiratory protection was dominated by the Racal/3M Airlite Powered Respirator, but this was summarily withdrawn by the manufacturers several years ago and we are not even able to obtain spares any longer - nothing at all!. Happily, other companies produce excellent personal protection equipment too and we are pleased to bring to you, the JSP PowerCap Active IP and, because we always like to offer you choice, the Trend Airshield Pro.  Please note that the JSP PowerCap IP with the belt-mounted batteries is no longer available, though the filters and visor used on the current Active and earlier Lite model are identical.

The latest version of the PowerCap, the PowerCap Active IP, is the first to feature an easily removable outer cover which can be machine-laundered for hygiene, and also brings to the range a re-positioned battery which allows easy access so that the battery can be simply removed from the PowerCap and placed in the supplied "dock" for charging.  This change also re-distributes some of the weight of the product giving even better balance than on the already-market-leading performance of their predecessors.

We are now focussing on offering the new PowerCap Active IP, as we can no longer obtain the previous model, the PowerCap Lite IP.

The JSP PowerCap Active respirator offers many advantages over its competitors such as an unrivalled low head weight of 440g, superior balance, a high impact protection ('IP') visor (to EN166) - not to mention an affordable price which makes life insurance premiums look prohibitive (and what is a respirator other than a life assurance device?). Being constructed around  a bump cap, it really does make the whole assembly more comfortable for longer periods of wear, in my opinion. The two externally mounted filters are also very easy to remove and replace with a simple twist of the wrist.

The PowerCap Active IP does away with trailing battery leads, belt mounted batteries and the ever-present danger of cable snagging and replaces this with a pair of ultra-compact Lithium Ion batteries integral to the unit - actually mounted on the rear of the bump cap.  These batteries, as used on mobile telephones, still provide a full eight hours of fresh, clean air at a rate of 160 litres/minute and are easily re-charged overnight using the supplied battery charger.  This battery technology means that the Active version has a lower head weight with batteries installed than did the old standard version with the batteries mounted in the waist pack by a staggering 15%!  Amazing but true.  The other features of the PowerCap Active mirror those of the  former standard version, without compromise, and the accessories are common to both if you have one of the older units.

The narrow visor gives excellent visibility whilst the absence of a bottom "frame" eliminates the annoying habit, found with other designs of respirator, of being knocked up off the head as you drop your chin to see the work! The soft face surround fits comfortably over prescription glasses in normal frames and, because the visor area is slightly pressurised, facial hair does not impair the operation of the unit (refer to photo!).

Replacement filters are easily fitted with a bayonet-style twist and lock system.  The pre-filters incorporated in the main filters can be changed independently of the filter cartridge and regular replacing of these pre-filters can significantly extend the life of the main filter material.  The pre-filters are changed by removing the outer, white, part of the moulding of the filter cartridge,  taking out the old filter (a thin disc of filter matrix material) and replacing this with a new pre-filter (do not disturb, or attempt to service, the main filter). The outer cover of the cartridge snaps securely in place over the new pre-filter. The unit should not be used without the pre-filter mounted correctly in place.

The PowerCap Active IP provides FFP2 respiratory protection to EN12491:1988 TH1P; the bump cap gives head protection to EN812 and the visor gives the all-important impact protection to EN.166.B.1.  It is supplied with the complete respirator assembly, with eight-hour batteries built in, plus charger (appropriate to the location voltage and electrical outlet style), two filters, a flow-rate meter, instructions and is packed in a rigid plastic storage box. 

(NB:  Do not confuse this unit with an apparently lower-cost "look-alike" which you may see advertised, which does not include the eight-hour battery nor the charger (uses dry batteries only - an expensive option!) and does not have the impact-resistant visor - a must for woodturning, routing and other machine-based workshop operation, nor does it have the bump cap inner support shell.  So .... not quite the same thing at all!!)

As you well know, we recognise the need for quality respiration equipment and we would not supply this item to you if we would not be happy using it ourselves: in fact we do use it ourselves!

 The latest in the Trend lineup of respirators is the stylish AirshieldPro, pictured here.  Compared to its predecessor, the new product offers enhanced filtering capacity, lighter weight thanks to new battery technology, double the battery life and a simpler filter arrangement, but it retains the features which made it a favourite in workshops for many years - the flip-up visor, freedom from external battery packs and an easily replaceable visor. 

The system is supplied ready to use (once the battery is charged) and the standard package includes: the respirator, as illustrated; an 8 hour battery; a UK 220/240 volt battery charger; a pair of THP2 file dust filters; an airflow indicator for testing battery and filter status; a clear visor overlay and a soft storage bag.

The full spec of the Trend Airshield Pro is as follows:-

• Minimum Airflow:  160 litres/minute
• Airflow, fully charged:  200 litres/minute
• Headband size (head circumference):  520 mm - 620 mm
• Motor noise level:  72 dB
• Battery working time (fully charged):  8 hours
• Weight in working order, approx:  995 g
• Charger supply voltage:  230 volt, single phase
• Charger pin configuration:  UK standard 3-pin.
• Eye protection rating:  BS EN 166 (low energy impact)
• Respiratory protection (NPF50):  to BS EN 12941 THP2

The original Trend Airshield is no longer current but we can still supply spares as listed, below. .

Unlike the Powered Respirators, above, the model 8822 respirator is a passive device - a face mask - but one which still provides a high level of protection from the type of hazards most frequently found in woodworking operations, manufactured by one of the world's leading Health & Safety suppliers.

Because it incorporates a valve, this mask is much less fatiguing to wear than the 'conventional' fabric-filter type mask, yet it is economic enough to be used as a workshop standby for visitors, trainees and students.  For a those not prepared, or able, to invest in a mask system such as the Powercap or Airshield (see above), this mask offers fully approved protection and could save your life - or at least extend it.  The 3M model 8822 conforms to the internationally-recognised EN149 FFP2S standards to give protection up to 12 x OEL. (Occupational Exposure Limit)

A word of warning: these masks rely on producing a good seal between the edge of the mask and the wearer's face.  This is not possible to achieve if facial hair (e.g.: a beard) is interposed between the mask and the skin, hence these masks cannot be recommended for use by wearers with facial hair.  Bearded woodworkers are advised to use a full face mask system such as those shown above.

©1997-2006 P. Hemsley.  The information on this website is the copyright property of Peter Hemsley. 
Coeur du Bois and The ToolPost are trading styles of Peter Hemsley.  Whilst reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, no liability can be accepted for errors in this information nor for contingencies arising therefrom.  If you are inexperienced in any aspect of woodworking, we would strongly counsel that you take a course of formal instruction before commencing to practice