masks and metal band around nose

[mike barrettParticipant @mikebarrett73459]

A friend is making masks to wear in the community (don't want to start a discussion whether they are a good idea) and she is using a strip of tomato paste tube for the bending bit that fits on the bridge of the nose. But its a bit weak and doesn't fit the mask to the nose very well.
Anyone know what metal is used in 'proper' disposable masks? I think its zinc based but not sure if its pure zinc or an alloy? Any ideas?

I was hoping to get something she could use, I can cut strips for her.

any suggestions very welcome!

Thanks mike

[mike barrettParticipant @mikebarrett73459]

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

I would be tempted to try an aluminium drink can.

Empty can, use scissors to cut top and bottom off and then cut into strips by scribing along a ruler.

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

I would say some sort of aluminium. Not sure if the drink can would be too springy. What about the foil food trays.

Steve.

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Drink cans would be far too flimsy -we use twisted pipe cleaners that do at a pinch

How about 1.0 mm household solid wire, leave the insulation on – a bit stiffer 1.5 or 2.5 – ridiculous 4.0mm (squared)

[MichaelRParticipant @michaelr]

Some Ideas here Link , nose piece materials for home made masks.

MichaelR

[IanTParticipant @iant]

I use material from tins & cans fairly often in my modelling and whilst the aluminium (in drinks cans) is very thin – you could fold it to make it stiffer and also to give a 'safe' edge.

I've not actually tried this with aluminium cans (as it cannot be soldered) but it certainly works OK with the thin tin I've cut from biscuit boxes. I do cut up drinks cans (scissors will do it very easily) for shim material though – it's quite good enough for tool height packing and such like. The cans are simple to source and to cut up – and when folded would probably do the job. Be worth trying…

Regards,

IanT

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

How about cutting up the thick aluminium disposable roasting trays used for Xmas turkeys and roast beef. The metal is much thicker and softer than Drink Can aluminium.

[PlasmaParticipant @plasma]

Hi, my wife is making fabric masks and we initially used 1.5mm squared cable. Small eyes formed each end to prevent poking etc.

But now she uses a pattern with no need for any nose piece and it's much easier. They wash too which might have been an issue with the metal ones.

Think of the masks Hawkeye wore on mash, no metal and they were boil washed.

Mick

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

Copper wire from electrical cable seems to bend and hold its shape that is if it is not in contact with he skin as it may effect some people

[Bob n AboutParticipant @bobnabout]

Just go full "Ned Kelly"

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

SWMBO has used pipe cleaners with great success, she leaves one end of mask open so she can pull them out if they need replacing, not sure of the masks efficacy with Covid 19 but I recon they would be great for machining cast iron.

[Phil SParticipant @phils66830]

I have an old one of this type and the strip is magnetic and appears galvanised but is very soft. It is 90mm long 5mm wide 0.5mm thick. There is a thin strip of soft foam on the inside of the filter layer (directly under the metal strip) rather like a very soft door draught seal. Used to use them at work but only for a few minutes at a time. Been wearing it shopping and it gets very uncomfortable after twenty minutes. Huge respect for NHS staff wearing them all day.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I can't believe the number of people who use a mask to cover their mouths but have their nose poking over the top.

In its way as daft as the woman in America who cut a hole for her mouth so she could breath more easily…

Neil

[Mike Woods 1Participant @mikewoods1]

Florists flat aluminium wire. Comes on various widths (I have used 5 mm) and 1 mm thick and sold by the metre, or by weight. There are a number of people on ebay selling it, mostly in China, but I got mine from Oasis Floral Products here in UK. Usual disclaimer, no connection to supplier, they just happened to have some in stock.

I have also read that some people are using aluminium flashing strip (from builders merchants) and hand cutting strips of suitable width.

There is a healthy maker community in the USA making and donating face masks for their health care providers, support workers and vulnerable. Various chapters of US sheet metal workers unions are making nose strips and sending them to the makers on request, free of charge. I have been following the activities of UK based groups who are doing the same charitable work over here, making masks and scrubs for health carers. I have seen no mention of UK unions offering any similar assistance over here. Would be happy to be proved wrong on that.

Me? I have been wrestling with a piece of alien technology (aka sewing machine) of late. I am not sure who is getting the better of who. There has been a bit of language. None of it good. So far I have managed to avoid being dragged head first into the infernal clanking contraption.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Mike Barrett, the photo below shows a new unused commercial one, the stripes are soft aluminium, you don't what anything springy or hard, because the need to be formed by the wearer to fit snugly. The one in to photo is 6mm wide by 1mm thick and is approx. 46mm long each side and only bonded to the mask by half the length each side to the mask.

Regards Nick.

[mike barrettParticipant @mikebarrett73459]

thanks everyone for the very helpful ideas and suggestions.

cheers

mike

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