Gas mask identification + face shield.

[ThunderCactus]

I just used the stuff I had at work, but it's not expensive at all for such small pieces. And with the M69 you just have to cut flat circles so it's REALLY easy! And the M69 also ventilates really well, so fogging should be minimal. Just don't remove any valves on the mask, it might make it easier to breathe but removing valves causes hardcore fogging.

And for the love of god do NOT use mesh. Mesh will stop BB's, but it will NOT stop the shrapnel from BB's when they explode on something hard!!
I don't care how many people have used mesh for how many years, the fact is, there's still open air between your eyes and things that are being shot at you!

[Goge]

And for the love of god do NOT use mesh. Mesh will stop BB's, but it will NOT stop the shrapnel from BB's when they explode on something hard!!

yea this is the reason I was going to leave the plexi in thats already there to stop any small debris. it may not stop a bb but it should do fine with any chippings. but I may ditch the meshing completely for the balistics plexi. is there a namebrand or something i should look for to know it will be safe and hold up to 500+fps?

[Shooting Addict]

Originally Posted by ThunderCactus

And for the love of god do NOT use mesh. Mesh will stop BB's, but it will NOT stop the shrapnel from BB's when they explode on something hard!!

What if everyone is using the new glass BB's?

[ThunderCactus]

I haven't tested the M69's plexi so I can't give you any advice one way or the other, but based on the other masks, I'd say take it out.
Lexan is the standard polycarbonate, Makrolon deforms more when struck, therefore can absorb higher impact (it's extremely difficult to break with a sledgehammer), however that being said, makrolon also gets tiny pits in it when it gets struck by a BB (more so than lexan). Just make sure what your buying is Z87.1 at the very least.
Keep in mind the grain direction of the polycarbonate if you have to bend it, if the bend is parallel with the grain, it promotes cracking.
If you need to bend it, bend a CLEAN aluminum sheet to the right contour, put the lens on it and heat the whole thing to about 650 degrees F. Watch it carefully, the second it takes the full shape of your mold, take it out of the oven. Takes about 5 seconds for it to cool to the point you can pick it up, (with gloves), and another 20-30 seconds until it fully hardens.

[Lord of Rebirth]

How thick a material do you use and could you use? I might have access to rather thick lexan and from past experience fooling around with it is it VERY tough. I've never shot BBs at it but I have used lexan to smash stuff and I used a piece as a demo spike for a bit.

What kinda work do you do cause when I had better access in the past I didn't really get that much info on materials. I wouldn't mind paying you to make me some lenses if you would be able.

[The Chad]

Originally Posted by Lord of Rebirth

Another headgear item I need info on is balaclavas. I don't assume they are the best but I was wondering if any thicker ones are available and where. The places I have found balaclavas so far only seem to have black and I'm unsure of how protective they would be.

Where do you live? CanEx is always a great place for multi wraps.

[ThunderCactus]

3/32" was the thinnest I used, 1/8" was the thickest. 3/32" is easily enough to stop a BB at 470fps