My mask broke. Am I SOL

xxio · Post by **xxio** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 8:41 pm

I bought a Resperonics mask last September from cpap.com.

I have been alternating it on a weekly basis with my older mask, until I got comfortable. I finally gave away my old mask last week.
Wouldn't you know it, my mask broke the other night.
I was sleeping. I moved around a bit then the plastic clasp of the mask that holds the ball type swivel just cracked and broke off.

I emailed cpap.com, but looking at their return policy it looks like I'm SOL.

Is there a way I can repair this? The broken piece is outside the mask area. It's just the part that hold the ball. Will epoxy or some adhesive work? It's been 2 night of no BiPap. The first two consecutive nights in more than a year. I can already feel the effects.

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 8:48 pm

Not sure exactly what you are talking about, but I have to repair my breeze occasionally

Get a soldering iron our anad heat weld the broken pieces together.

xxio · Post by **xxio** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:02 pm

It is the part of the mask where you normally attach the strap to. In this Resperonics model it has a plastic ball at the end of the strap for easier attachment and removal. The palstic part of the mask which holds the ball cracked and broke off. It is a tiny piece, but now there is no way to attach the ball/strap.

Can I heat/weld it together? It is plastic. I was thinking some sort of adhevise should do.

Should I wait for Cpap.com's reply before i do anything to it? If I do I won't be able to use my machine for that time. This mask has been used maybe 20xs since I bought it a month and a half ago. I am kind of pissed. Shipping for me (overseas) is not cheap in case I have to send it back.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:13 pm

J B Weld will fix it, it's a common problem, after i fixed mine, I cut a piece of scrap plastic and used it to reinforce the two sides. I made like a enclosed pocket with the ball inside.

The trick is to not get the black ball part glued tight it needs to rotate and move freely. If you do make the reinforced pocket you can no longer take the ball out. You want to have a backup mask to handle problems like this so you done have downtime!

Jim

nomad · Post by **nomad** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:20 pm

Use quick set epoxy. The stuff I use looks like a big syringe with 2 compartments in it. You can find it at most hardware/ home improvement stores. It sets in about 5 to 10 minutes and is as solid as a rock when dry. It's VERY easy to use... just squeeze it out in equal portions and mix together with a toothpick or something. I usually mix mine on top of aluminum foil (so I can toss it when done). I fixed my UMFF mask with it and it's holding like a charm.

It's made by Loctite and here's what it looks like...

xxio · Post by **xxio** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:22 pm

Jim,

Thank you. I don't know if my country has JB Weld, is that like super glue?

Common problem? Wow, then it should be addressed by Resperonics as a design flaw.

I was planning to order a "new back up mask" this week because up to the other night I was extremely happy with the new mask. I guess I won't be doing that anymore. I'll probably get the standard no frills mask as a replacement then. I won't be getting it from a certain manufacturer that's for sure. Whether I get it from the same company/website remains to be seen.

God bless,
Toby

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:48 pm

No it's not, you want a two part epoxy, that locktight product will work fine too. mix in small amounts, to get parts together and when set, add more to reinforce. Jim

Super glue is good for some things, but you need a structural product, as it was too weak to begin with, we have to make it stronger than it was to begin with. I'm a Ex-Mechanic, I always over do repairs. Jim

I have 3000 hours on that repaired mask, they are not too bad, just a little weak at that point and the forhead adjuster, you have to not strap them up tight enough to break them. I still use one with the same kind of fastener with no problems. If a mask works good for you you better stick with it and live with it's limitations. Good working masks don't come by every day. Jim

SelfSeeker · Post by **SelfSeeker** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 5:06 am

xxio

If you bought the mask Sept 2006, it still should be under warrenty. Call respironics

DME_Guy · Post by **DME_Guy** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 9:57 am

I agree. It should be covered under warranty. If not, see if you can buy the headgear instead of the whole mask.

[quote="SelfSeeker"]xxio

If you bought the mask Sept 2006, it still should be under warrenty. Call respironics

lbchan · Post by **lbchan** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:55 am

Hi xxio,

Is your mask the Respironics Comfort Full? I have a spare one of those, in size large. I only used it once (or rather, TRIED to use it once, LOL) -- it was the first mask I tried and it didn't work for me.

So...if this is what you're using, I'd be happy to sell it for way cheap + postage, or trade if you have spare stuff I can use. Even if you are not an L, I believe the headgear is the same (but have to check this, first).

If you're interested, email me at edna@maui.net.

Kim

jeepdoctor · Post by **jeepdoctor** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:32 pm

XXIO, You can make your own JB Weld by mixing epoxy resin and aluminum powder. Add aluminum powder to the resin-catalyst mixture until you have a stiff mixture. Then apply and wait for it to cure.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:58 pm

jeepdoctor wrote:XXIO, You can make your own JB Weld by mixing epoxy resin and aluminum powder. Add aluminum powder to the resin-catalyst mixture until you have a stiff mixture. Then apply and wait for it to cure.

then all they need is some aluma-seal for the aluminum powder (might as well pick up some JBweld while your at it) but then if it is a hardware store just get a picture hanger hoop and screw it on the mask to connect the strap to.

Better yet if Respironics would fix that defective connection people wouldn't have that problem.

jeepdoctor · Post by **jeepdoctor** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:29 pm

Snoredog said, "then all they need is some aluma-seal for the aluminum powder (might as well pick up some JBweld while your at it)"

Good catch on the Aluma-Seal, Snoredog. I forgot about how xxio would find aluminum powder. I have aluminum powder from a powder metallurgy class/lab that I took in engineering school a long time ago.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:36 pm

Warning: Humor Follows

It just seems that Offerocker has the right idea.

Duct tape.

If you don't know what I mean, search for a posting and look at her avatar.

smith@cpap · Post by **smith@cpap** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 4:41 pm

recommend returning to dealer--we replace and are issued credit for broken mask. ni questions asked