As I recall the first steampunk prop I ever made was the
bad air transmutator respirator, which I still sell for $225 on Etsy. Ever since then, I've been wanting to design another respirator that I could sell for less. I make both
respirators and
gas masks, and the distinguishing feature in the nomenclature that I use is that
respirators cover just the mouth and nose, whereas
gas masks also cover the eyes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTP1EiepFU5JSFkoU1VFO2kGKWELn4FjnAI0G_91ccz_ER7UnxjQYRonnFdWImSjlMnyZwtNtlTGs6wCJbIyG5dhB_1x5sO8Xv-L7YtxO4ebI3-mDlZIou4EGyvopK26P5vF-BBQZAylVq/s400/sketch+3.jpg)
I made a series of sketches to work out the design. I wanted to use mostly rivets in the construction, which is less labor-intensive than either machine- or handsewing.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6h2PZPta-gISvDb5sIp1WQuO0z-T5xdeCLsUOD3EnPAdK8G7-bcSth_jys4D0ONu3VyGy4pr-lPQ-g_VYtmGPzmL3dAT6c-XsgPktWSOKu6Av5OaAKY8dXDXlQ1WTmVPulYuEzNMLAHIQ/s400/sketch+1.jpg)
Initially I wasn't going to provide any resin canisters as another cost savings measure.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78L7oAIZ1eRoBaFjis9FqaHdhQYh2JYTol3HHV_xEAVQ07MPbyIuJ_Az2qF4kCh5lOmTw0kLe5_03LgsQMs0moxsT0yqmJMOiMNjYgrMclhYXXwo0hxlV-0JAYokhPnn_SY2m9u0J6EC4/s400/sketch+2.jpg)
Ultimately I decided to add two smaller identical canisters, as functionally it made little sense to have none.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjZP_9rZWrCv989fUZwNH9zM8RbWmb1Zy5SdPfD7rl1vw55eRosdWd7I49yPGXIXQcxHa1wBtHLZVByH2Nm7m5vQJPYpWCDbd14nnTvBHjMen2KeLSPT3RpZqdbUzV5W_tGneaEWzv37e/s400/first+prototype.jpg)
Once I was happy with the pattern I tested it in green paper, and when that looked like it was working I cut it out of leather and riveted it all together. I need to add straps and make a few alterations, but I think it's a good beginning.