Airfit F20 Frame... on the verge of failure?

[legrunt]

I've been using this F20 frame for the past 3 years and no matter which other mask I try out (Dreamwear, F30, N20...), I always end up back with this one. 

But this morning I noticed what appears to be a crack forming at the crease in the left "arm".  Those arms, correct me if I am wrong, negate the need for a forehead support, as because of it's shape, it will be enough to torque the mask towards the nose bridge, instead of upward.

   

Based on that theory, it would be logical to see the crack start to form at the top, since it's function would be to torque the mask in that direction.  Why then would they design the mask with a crease right there?  It's almost like a "tear here" crease in some paperwork...

I have a spare headgear, mag clips, elbow...  And I use Airtouch, so I have a few spare cushions lying around...
But the frame alone costs almost as much as the whole mask set...

Any advice?  I'm half inclined to put an epoxy shell around that whole crease area... Then repeat on the other side just in case...

[pholynyk]

It might be a design feature to force you to buy a new frame every six months. My Wisp frames have a similar stress point on the arms just off where the arm joins the cushion holder. Mind you I could be using it beyond its design limits since I sleep on my side.

[Big Guy]

Some appropriate glue should suffice.

[legrunt]

So here's what I ended up doing...  White "potable water contact safe" epoxy putty.  Not the prettiest job, but I reckon this will save me a hundred or so dollars.

   

[Homerec130]

Now the next question - how comfortable is it?

[hegel]

Your mask looks like it had an accident while skiing.

[legrunt]

Now the next question - how comfortable is it?

No difference in the use.  Prior to putting it on, the mask feels less "floppy".  But once on, the difference is not noticeable.
As you can see, once the cushion is installed, the epoxied parts do not contact the face at all.
   

Your mask looks like it had an accident while skiing.

I should get some black markers and write corny crap like "Get well soon..."  lol

[Homerec130]

Can we visit and sign it? Looks like you did a real good job of forming the epoxy. The problem I have with my F20 is I tend to break the magnetic clips. Every time we swap out head gear, I save the clips. (I have a tendency to save a lot of that type of stuff being a native New Englander). I found them on the mother ship as well as several places on the supplier's list but shipping was more than the part,

[SideSleeper]

Homer, I have broken one of the magnetic clips also. Had a whole new mask setup on hand so had a fix.

[timpani]

I've tried washing why F20 frame. First I learned the hard way to pull the fabric sleeves off the top braces--it will not dry out and gets a musty smell. I have been replacing them, but the cost is getting much higher lately. So I'll probably be in the same boat soon. I use the AirFit foam for comfort and I don't know what continual washing will do to it, so I can maybe just replace the mask and try to keep everything else. My pressure can run up to the max on my range (18) and I end up strapping it down tighter to try to stop the mask farts. When I used the original silicone mask, the inner edge of the silicone would irritate my nose. Like @legrunt, the F20 is the only one I've tried that gives me reasonable success.