Respirators are highly recommended for hobbies like resin printing, painting, soldering, welding, and more. Supplied Air Respirators provide a higher factor of safety than half-mask cartridge respirators.
An official and certifiable 3M Supplied Air Respirator (SAR) system will start around $4,000 for the air compressor, 240 V connection, airline filters, airline hose, regulating valve, breathing tube, and headpiece. This is the level of entry for a High-Pressure Supplied Air Respirator, but most industrial systems will be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
However, we can DIY a Low-Pressure Supplied Air Respirator for under $150. This is still an investment for hobbyists, but it will be safer and cheaper long-term compared to cartridge respirators.
3M Headpiece - Headcover, Hood, or Helmet
The S-133S Headcover is recommended for most users
- The headpiece you choose will have air delivered to it using duct and a centrifugal inline fan.
- 3M PAPR and SAR Brochure
- 3M PAPR and SAR Compatibility Tree
- Headcover and Hood Sizing Chart
- Headpiece to Duct Adapter STL on Printables
Centrifugal Inline Blower Fan
A centrifugal fan can deliver more pressure than axial or mixed-flow
- The fan should be placed outside or connected to additional duct retrieving clean outdoor air.
- It is a best practice to use a MERV 13 or HEPA filter on the intake of the fan.
- Fan Filter Mount STL on Printables
4-inch Airline Polyethylene Duct
This lightweight duct can be used as an airline for dozens of feet
- This duct is 4 mil in thickness, so it is easy to puncture and kink, but this lightweight duct is easy to maneuver. Thicker duct can be used but it will be more expensive.
- Vinyl duct is not recommended due to the weight being able to pull backwards on the headpiece.
- Fan-Duct Spacer STL on Printables
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