A recent thread about homemade fresh air respirators and the fact that I am about to start the painting process got me interested in making one rather than spent that 350-400 bucks for the low end models I have seen advertised.
So anyway I built one today and it seems like its probably going to work pretty good.
Here is the cost breakdown...
Shop vac 30.02
Respirator 19.99
Sprinkler connector 2.99
Sump hose 6.99
8’ Shop vac hose 14.94
Goggles 2.99
Brass ferrule 1.49
¾ Ball valve 5.49
misc plumbing/clamps 10.00
---------
$100.00 (apx)
And here are some pics (please excuse the 'model')
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bikeopellidave/album?.dir=1c73&.src=ph
I used actual 1 1/4 shop vac hose on both ends with the cheaper (24 foot) sump hose in the middle. The sump hose (Craftsman 42 27909) is not nearly as flexible as the actual shop vac hose. Tried to get away with running the sump hose to the respirator but it was too stiff so I purchased an 8' length of vac hose (Cost 1/2 what the shop vac did!)
I was surprised how much excess air there was when I first tested it (whistled like crazy) so I put a 'T' right after the shop vac outlet to bleed off the excess air followed by a ball valve to tweak the airflow to the respirator. Works just about right.
The respirator is an 'AOSAFETY" unit, part nbr 95190. Came with a standard filter which I tossed. Fitted the grey 'T' into it. Got lucky, is a perfect fit.
I also wanted to have a little positive airflow to the goggles so I plumbed the sprinkler line from the grey 'T' to the middle of the top of the goggles. Used a 1/2 inch long brass ferrule and a small clamp to secure it to the goggles. This line was too stiff and did not want orient very well so I stumbled on the idea of heating it with my heat shrink gun and coaxed it into the shape I wanted. Again, the airflow to the goggles seems just about right.
I purchased all the parts at a local hardware store. Did not glue or fill anything. Most connections were a nice tight fit, where they were not, I used clamps. Took me about 8 hours to do it with three or four trips to the store.
So anyway I built one today and it seems like its probably going to work pretty good.
Here is the cost breakdown...
Shop vac 30.02
Respirator 19.99
Sprinkler connector 2.99
Sump hose 6.99
8’ Shop vac hose 14.94
Goggles 2.99
Brass ferrule 1.49
¾ Ball valve 5.49
misc plumbing/clamps 10.00
---------
$100.00 (apx)
And here are some pics (please excuse the 'model')
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bikeopellidave/album?.dir=1c73&.src=ph
I used actual 1 1/4 shop vac hose on both ends with the cheaper (24 foot) sump hose in the middle. The sump hose (Craftsman 42 27909) is not nearly as flexible as the actual shop vac hose. Tried to get away with running the sump hose to the respirator but it was too stiff so I purchased an 8' length of vac hose (Cost 1/2 what the shop vac did!)
I was surprised how much excess air there was when I first tested it (whistled like crazy) so I put a 'T' right after the shop vac outlet to bleed off the excess air followed by a ball valve to tweak the airflow to the respirator. Works just about right.
The respirator is an 'AOSAFETY" unit, part nbr 95190. Came with a standard filter which I tossed. Fitted the grey 'T' into it. Got lucky, is a perfect fit.
I also wanted to have a little positive airflow to the goggles so I plumbed the sprinkler line from the grey 'T' to the middle of the top of the goggles. Used a 1/2 inch long brass ferrule and a small clamp to secure it to the goggles. This line was too stiff and did not want orient very well so I stumbled on the idea of heating it with my heat shrink gun and coaxed it into the shape I wanted. Again, the airflow to the goggles seems just about right.
I purchased all the parts at a local hardware store. Did not glue or fill anything. Most connections were a nice tight fit, where they were not, I used clamps. Took me about 8 hours to do it with three or four trips to the store.