ComfortGel fix idea?

[Lord Darth Beavis]

Hi all!

I've noticed a lot of us on here have had situations with the ComfortGel masks (ff or nasal) where the tabs that hold the headgear have broken. I think (there's that burning smell again ) I might have a solution.

I'm thinking that if you are the handy type, maybe try reinforcing the tabs on the outside with some 2-part epoxy, or even JBWeld. I'm going to have to dig up one of my old masks and give it a try.

Anybody else have tweaks or tips to handling this most annoying problem? I'm all ears, er eyes!

[Shellie_p]

had that part break several times on old masks I usually ended up taking the straps and cris crossing them over the forehead piece and down to the cheek straps to keep the mask in place this worked great for an emergency fix but I also happened to have a headgear set that was to big also. If yours isnt oversized this might not work. umm model glue can work on the hard plastic in a pinch but youd need some reinforcement for sure. If its a break where theres any stress on the plastic the model glue wont hold for long! I gave up on the comfort gels when the last one I had broke my face out badly! Something in the mask caused an alergic reaction my doctor said so I returned it and got my current F&P mask.

[Lord Darth Beavis]

Shellie--

Tamiya liquid cement (available att better hobby shops) works very well for fixing the tabs issue. I was thinking of ways to reinforce the mount, though. Maybe even back-fill between the tab and mask with super glue, as a sort of fillet. I suggested epoxy as it dries MUCH stronger than CA, which is usually pretty brittle when dried.

[ractar28]

Help me understand the issue. Is it that the tabs break easily or that they are so "tight" that trying to force the snap into place breaks it?

If it's the latter, buy hubby a dremel for his something-day and widen the openings. I did that on my Comfortfull and it slides in easy now.

[Goofproof]

Help me understand the issue. Is it that the tabs break easily or that they are so "tight" that trying to force the snap into place breaks it?

If it's the latter, buy hubby a dremel for his something-day and widen the openings. I did that on my Comfortfull and it slides in easy now.

Besides the Tabs be too weak, Something that could be fixed for 1 cents worth of the plastic, added by a Chinese Mold change. People do not remove the clip correctly, it is not made to jerk out forward, or by pulling down, the force needs to be applied upwards to remove the clip from the mask. That spreads the clips slightly, they last longer, but due to Respironics weak clip mask design, they will continue to break off, at a premature rate.

The problem will NOT be fixed by Respironics, they don't fix problems, because the people left dealing with their problems (US), aren't their customers, DME's are their customers, and making faulty goods, means more profit for Respironics, and their customers the DME's

Even using the Epoxy, after the clip breaks isn't good enough, I am going to start reinforcing mine before use. I had been doing pretty good with my repaired ones, but the other night I had to change and it broke the first time, so I had to break out a new one.

Also the new one, had the other Respironics defect of poor quality control of leak rate, use of this new ComfortGel requires cutting a ping pong ball on half and gluing it to your eyes, to stop the massive exhaust leak blowing in them. Congrats Respironic's, another fine Chinese product..... with no quality control.

[Lord Darth Beavis]

I just wish someone would market a gel cushion for the Quattro. Everything else fits so well, but the Quattro's silicone cushion isn't all that comfortable. Still, it's better than some, and it works fairly well.

Wonder if I could Frankenstein up something...?

[MurphysLaw]

What a timely thread for me. That tab broke off on my hubby's on Monday night. I picked up a new one for him at the DME on Tuesday but decided today to use epoxy on the broken one. I hope it works. I might also run a little of it across the sides of the new mask in the hopes it reinforces the tabs.

I use the Optilife mask and it is a much sturdier design. I can't imagine anything like that happening to it.

[Shellie_p]

Besides the Tabs be too weak, Something that could be fixed for 1 cents worth of the plastic, added by a Chinese Mold change. People do not remove the clip correctly, it is not made to jerk out forward, or by pulling down, the force needs to be applied upwards to remove the clip from the mask. That spreads the clips slightly, they last longer, but due to Respironics weak clip mask design, they will continue to break off, at a premature rate.

The problem will NOT be fixed by Respironics, they don't fix problems, because the people left dealing with their problems (US), aren't their customers, DME's are their customers, and making faulty goods, means more profit for Respironics, and their customers the DME's

Even using the Epoxy, after the clip breaks isn't good enough, I am going to start reinforcing mine before use. I had been doing pretty good with my repaired ones, but the other night I had to change and it broke the first time, so I had to break out a new one.

Also the new one, had the other Respironics defect of poor quality control of leak rate, use of this new ComfortGel requires cutting a ping pong ball on half and gluing it to your eyes, to stop the massive exhaust leak blowing in them. Congrats Respironic's, another fine Chinese product..... with no quality control.

I never had any problems with the clips till *After* the tab on the top had broke and I had to make due with other means of keeping the mask on at night But The clips did seperate after a while so that the clip would pop out on its own in the middle of the night. But I dont know if it would have still done that If I hadn't had to criscross the straps to hold the mask on.

I have to admit I am not impressed with Respironics masks in the first place. lol
I am still pissed they stope making the old harder disposable masks. was the ONLY mask I have had over the years I could wear leak free. Course I put moleskin on the mask so the plastic never touched my skin cant do that with the newer *Gel/silicon* type masks.

[Goofproof]

The do make a cheaper model mask like the ComfortGel without the gel, I think it's called ComfortClassic. It also doesn't have the "T" Bat at the top, just more of a prong. (I guess if you happen to have a hole in your head ,in the correct location, it will anchor the top of the mask.) Jim

[sixtygp]

I have not experienced the tabs breaking, but the small adjustment notches for the forehead support, where it connects to the mask body. The little prongs bust, then the "sliding" support doesn't stay where it is supposed to. This has happened on 3 masks. Of course if these things break, then you have to buy a complete mask- as they don't sell just the mask shell.

[goose]

I suppose I should knock wood (done), but I've never yet had a problem with the CG mask. I've been using it since the beginning, though for the past year or so I use the Headrest more often and only use the CG when my nares get sore....
That said, I'm always very careful when I disconnect the lower "snaps" so I tend not to stress them much.....I also have the straps fairly loose so there's not a lot of tension on the connector....

I would never use any CA glue (cyanoacrylate, better known as superglue) on anything close to where I was breathing!!! Not only does it stink but one of the ingredients is cyanide.
When I was building R/C airplanes with CA we did an experiment with the balsa and CA. We took a section of airplane, and simulated a crash and burn. Cyanide "gas" was found in the smoke....Not much, but enough to be a trace. I sure wouldn't want to be breathing it. But what a revolution -- From gluing up a wing and waiting at least overnight for the glue to dry to gluing it up, taking it out of the jig and doing the next wing......great stuff.

My suggestion would be to be a bit more gentle when removing the mask.....

cheers
goose

[Lord Darth Beavis]

Actually, Goose, as long as the CA has cured, and you don't burn it, it's completely safe. I've even used Zap-A-Gap to seal cuts on my fingers. Hurts like a sonuvagun for about 5 seconds, then it's over and done with.

The amount of cyanide in CA is miniscule. Of course, as always, YMMV.

[goose]

Hey Beavis,
Yeah -- when we tested the "crash and burn" the amount of cyanide in the smoke was minuscule, but still nothing I'd want to be breathing. Even dry, the glue smells like glue, so that was more the gist of my comment than the cyanide content. Absolutely true - there isn't much there.
Yeah - I've used it to close some cuts and scrapes also -- burn?? Oh wow!!!! I don't even use the zap-a-gap -- just get out the superglue -- all the R/C stuff I had is long dried out . Haven't built a plane in years as I don't have the space to build the 80" wings anymore.....
My wife is an ER nurse and she tells me that it's one of the options they use to close minor wounds rather than stitching or butterflying....

Points well taken -- thanks for the clarification.....Don't want to leave false impressions!!!
cheers
goose