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Zam

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About Zam

Profile Information

  • Gender
    Female
  • Location
    Calgary, AB

Standard Info

  • Name
    Cassandra
  1. Is RT-Mod still taking orders? I sent an email early last week but haven't gotten a reply. Maybe because of the long weekend?
  2. Sorry if this is a repeat or if you all knew this already. While I don't have experience building costumes, I have been working with chemicals for my job for some time now, including tetrachloroethylene (found in the glue) and I've got experience with respirators. If you are worried about exposure and looking for a respirator, here are my tips. I'd recommend you get a half-mask style one made from silicone instead of plastic. Silicone respirators are a little softer, so it's easier to get a good fit. After wearing it for a little while, plastic will start to hurt your face but silicone is more comfortable. Half-masks are just a lot lighter, especially since you're working looking down at something, so there will be less neck strain, and are much cheaper than full face masks. Plastic will be cheaper than silicone, but in my opinion not worth it. If you wear glasses, you may have some difficulty getting them to work over it, since for some people the mask sits over the part of the nose that their glasses sit. Just play around a little until you get it to work, but don't jam your glasses inside since this will break the seal and defeat the purpose. Since this is to protect against fumes instead of just dust, having a good fit is more important. To test the fit, cover the holes where the cartridge(s) attach and try to inhale. Next, cover the hole where you exhale from and exhale. If you get air coming in or exiting from around the edges on either of these steps it's not fitting properly and you can either adjust the straps or look at a different size. You should do this every time you put it on to make sure you've put it on properly.. If you're really worried about the fit, you can also get a professional to test it and they will either use a spray that you can taste if there's any leak or a computer setup that detects if any particles end up inside the mask from a candle or something. Just google respirator fit testing in your area. Facial hair can interfere with the fit as well. Lastly, the cartridges. For protection from just dust from sanding etc, you only need dust cartridges. The tetrachloroethylene fumes need organic vapour cartridges. Organic cartridges will not work for dust and dust will not work for organics. If you do want to use it for both, you can get combination cartridges that protect from both. Read the instructions that came on your cartridges because that will tell you how long they can be used. Organic vapour cartridges usually work by activated charcoal or something similar, so once the package is unsealed, they're always on (not just when you breathe through them). At work we get around this by putting them in air-tight ziplock bags when we're not using them. If you can smell the glue through it but your respirator is well-fitted, they're not working anymore. Good luck!
  3. Hello. I'm brand new to all this and am looking for some advice, especially having read about some suppliers no longer being available or new suppliers since the original post. I'm 5'8" 200 lbs and female. So in addition to being a little wide, I have larger hips, thighs, chest, etc from being female. Does anybody have suggestions as to where I should go? I don't mind if I can't go with my first choice of costume in favour of something that fits properly. I just want to get started! Thanks!
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