HEALTH WORKING - 3M Versaflo Respirator Review

[@tryonco]

I just purchased a 3M Versaflo set up just like yours for my woodworking and construction activities because although I’ve tried to be very careful over 45 years of woodworking, I have developed Asthma related to wood and other dust. I bought this in December 2019 and, with shopping around, I spent $1,030 U.S. I’m very pleased with the quality, function and comfort of this equipment. Highly recommended. Gentlemen, learn from my experience and go this extra step early on to better protect your lungs in pursuit of your woodworking career or hobby pursuits!

[@BandsawBob]

From my research, the 300 series blower only takes HEPA filters. If you need to use gas/solvent filters, then you have to upgrade to the 600 series blowers (PAPRs).

[@sicdsteve1]

No worries Dave ....great to see you got a bargain like I did and thanks for subscribing I put up things from time to time.

[@sicdsteve1]

Bloody good on ya mate, if I can help another fellow woodworker look after his lungs it makes me happy.

[@HSN6592]

it is a dwindeling trade that was very prevalent in my childhood, Im still acquiring parts for my Versaflo TR-600

[@3rdGenGuy]

Good tip on the buying. $1,400 US, vs $850 in the UK ex.

[@gvcooljr]

I have used 3M for years, well designed, easy to use and effective products.

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

Thanks for your video. Just to let you know, the metal filter must be placed first if you're in an environment where you are dealing with sparks. This is something I researched with 3M. They also have another mask that is not a helmet like this one that is more used in the health care industry like hospitals, elderly care, laboratories, pharmacies. The mask/helmet used for healthcare is very soft and doesn't provide the ear covers like with this hard helmet, but also leaves ears uncovered like this one. Uses the same machinery like this one. By the way, the filters are a bit different since they can be like the one you are showing up to the ones used in the healthcare environment which are better than N95 and filter 99.99. N95 masks only filter 95% particulates. Thanks again for sharing and showing. Xoxo from Puerto Rico 🖖👍🇵🇷

[@envirohealth]

These would work marvelous for proper Mold Remediation. Adding the hard hat version to my wish list! Thank you for the review.

[@sicdsteve1]

I use it for all hazardous things you can buy a varitey of filters from dust, fumes etc.

[@TrailBoundco]

which model did you buy? I'm seeing the tr600 but on eBay I see the tr300 but also some other models. wondering if theres a specific one that will be best for sanding dust?

[@mdm5287]

I am a Bricklayers PCC, pointer caulker cleaner and was curious if it is approved by US construction trades for silaca protection. Is there a shroud to use with this to greatly improve protection?

[@markchurch629]

Great video as always, happy new yr to you and your family

[@Jennifer-007]

Great review, thank you.

[@CroakerOutdoors]

Looking to pick one of these up for my wood working. My rigid table saw has terrible dust suction and after a while I'm having a hard time breathing!

[@sicdsteve1]

It is a world wide company 3M for all types of hazardous industries, so you buy the best you can afford.....so how much is a new set of lungs? Oophhh and while you are lying there not being able to breath think about is could have been easily prevented. People complain the price, yes its expensive no doubt. But tell me that is not money well spent!

[@phillipdoye9854]

Great video, just one question, the two holes in the top of the helmet, do these take a filter or something, if you get dust and or wood chips coming over your head, I can see this being an issue.

[@sicdsteve1]

Never been an issue ? I use it on the lathe and power carving , never had any dust as it is blowing air out so it has internal pressure push out so never any dust and I once pulled down inside a concrete place with jack hammer etc worked great as there was heaps of concrete dust in the air.

[@phillipdoye9854]

@@sicdsteve1 Thank you Steve, again great video.

[@bulldogs_6165]

the metal mesh piece in front of the prefilter isn't for filtering big bits as you say, it's a spark arester

[@sicdsteve1]

bulldogs _ thanks mate didn’t know that !

[@stakwalderbak5331]

I'm sick of my Trend. The headband adjuster kept slipping and the band eventually broke. It is about buggered after about 4 years use. I'm definitely buying one of these especially because of the quality and filter options. The only question I have is whether you can use it while sitting on your ride-on mower??? Great review Steve.

[@sicdsteve1]

Stephen Wallbank Yes mate the helmet is very light and the battery pack can sit anywhere around your body with adjustable strap

[@stakwalderbak5331]

@@sicdsteve1 Thanks Steve. How are you going with the shed?

[@sicdsteve1]

Stephen Wallbank Slow mate too slow, trying to get garden established as well

[@nic4005]

Hi Steve, nice review. I want to get one of these systems but need to be sure that it will fit my very large head! There aren't many places in NSW that keep them in stock and I'm not even sure they'd let you try them on. I hope this doesn't come across as impolite, but you too appear to have a pretty big head. Is that the case? Do you happen to know your head size in cm? I really hope that the Versaflo helmet fits me as I'm really keen to use one, especially when I'm on the lathe. Cheers, Nic.

[@sicdsteve1]

Yeah mate I have a boof head no worries, plenty of adjustment in helmet!

[@sicdsteve1]

Perfect for lathe work! I just used it again yesterday grinding some old metal frames, covered arms in metal dust but not even the taste of iron when using the set up, brilliant for hazardous work, I have used it demolishing a concrete chimney in a room and was breathing comfortable all the time, I just love mine.

[@sicdsteve1]

My head is 62cm, need that big to keep my brains in😵‍💫

[@thierryjeudy301]

Thanks you very much Steve for your demo and explanations. The solution is what I was looking for! Merci

[@sicdsteve1]

I am glad to share my experiences to others to save their lungs, too many people do not take this serious.

[@sicdsteve1]

Good one Phoenix ! Hope you are happy with it as I am, so comfortable to wesr, I keep mine in. Festool Stsiner the biggest one as it keeps it all dust dust free.

[@mark77193]

Thanks for the review, I have a Versaflo on its way to me from the UK now. Couldn't get as good a deal as you got, partly because the head unit you have is now out of production, I ended up getting the m300. But still hundreds of $ cheaper than buying it here in New Zealand, and some of the parts are not even in stock in the country at the moment. And with the Covid mask requirements that have come in this week, I'll likely end up using it at work as well from time to time, as 1 breath while wearing a standard covid mask = fogged safety glasses. Not good when working at height, or with power tools!

[@sicdsteve1]

You will love it I love mine

[@mark77193]

@@sicdsteve1 Now I've used it for a few hours, my only regret is not buying one years ago! Its much more pleasant doing woodturning while breathing air that is cleaner than that outside, and with none of the effort required by filter masks, or even those cheap covid masks. The only issue I've found, is, as others have commented, "natural gas" smells that weren't noticed previously!

[@sicdsteve1]

@@mark77193 Mmm never got the gas smell but it’s probably due to being new. As you know there is no gas involved only filters? But great to have been a part of your comfort in the workshop and safety , I am not afflliated in anyway with 3M I just wanted to let people know how good I found this unit, it’s also great when changing over your big dusty bags if you have one, now that can be dusty. I bought a big Festool case for mine to keep out dust etc when stored .

[@mark77193]

@@sicdsteve1 The gas isn't from the Versaflo itself, but from my digestive system...you know what I mean! But thanks again for the video. I keep finding uses for the unit outside the workshop as well, including while cutting several dozen concrete pavers with a large angle grinder, and the unit has really proven its worth on a large construction project I'm working on at the moment, where many of the workers are wearing standard covid masks. That Delta variant that is going around is nasty! I can carry 2x 20 litre pails up 3 floors worth of stairs without stopping, and without fogging up the visor. Co workers using disposable masks, have to stop at every floor to catch their breath! I also want to buy one of the Festool cases to store mine, but am having issues working out which one to order, seems that the model you mention in the video has been replaced by a new version.

[@DaveLKelley]

Wow what a tip! That kit is about $1400 in the US. Its manufactured in the UK so like you said, went on eBay for the UK and bought the main unit and the same helmet you have it two different listings for $759 shipped. Close to half price! Subscribed, it’s the least I can do. Thanks Aussie.

[@gregoh8087]

Dave Kelley, would you please post a link, are you in US?

[@TrailBoundco]

why did you choose this over the trend airshield?

[@sicdsteve1]

1. It's a 3M product world wide 2. The Battery is not in the helmet ( Lighter Helmet ) 3. Filters are better and less expensive 4. You can wear it all day comfortable no strain on neck .5 The motor is not buzzing in your head but on a back pack. So Trend or 3M Industrial Standard equipment world wide, mining, industrial, chemicals, hazards. The industry uses 3M not Trend you do the maths.

[@mrbaza8793]

Fantastic review mate, very informative 👍🏾

[@cleric022684]

Hello Thank you fro your great video, can you please give me the exact part numbers you bought there is many variations I would like the same one like you have, also you could include link to the ebay shop.

[@nalinbuddhika]

Thanks for the video. I got 3M Versaflo Respirator after seeing your video. Could you please let me know the model number of the filter you got for $10 and form where?

[@AC-kr9de]

Its not even tight arround the neck, is this really 100% filtering the bad air? ty

[@sicdsteve1]

It filters the dust perfect for me. And I have a beard, it’s not a gas mask!

[@JohnSmith-se5vo]

It's not the same as other respirators which require a face fit test or a proper seal. The 3M versaflo provides positive pressure and as such the pressure inside the helmet is greater than the pressure outside so air is always expelled outside. As such these can be loose fitting and do not require a proper seal unlike other respirators.

[@sicdsteve1]

@@JohnSmith-se5vo I have always found mine perfect I have no dust and as you say it works on pushing air out not letting it in.

[@JohnSmith-se5vo]

@@sicdsteve1 I work in industry and was provided one of these for the very reason that I have a full beard. My colleagues have a half face mask and are required to be face fit tested. For the reason of having a beard I cannot be face fit tested with other respirators so the only alternative was a papr. Most people don't realise how papr works. Unlike a regular respirator which are negative pressure the user is required to breathe in through the filter and hence any leak can pose a problem. PAPRs are different that the blower unit does all the work and provide air to the hood and under positive pressure so the issue of leak is eliminated. Think of it as a leaf blower where air is always blowing out and not going in.

[@MachoMaamRandallSandwich]

Does it work for spray painting?

[@TrailBoundco]

do you think you can extend the hose longer on it?

[@sicdsteve1]

Why? this is not necessary? It is perfectly comfortable on your back it does not restrict movement in any way it has been well designed, I wear sometimes up to 4 hours straight the air I breath is cool and comfortable and relaxing to breath, better with it on than off sometimes.

[@TrailBoundco]

@@sicdsteve1 when power carving I take my trend shield on and off + I have grinders and standing chords hanging down anyways. so currently I took the battery out of my trend and just put a power chord hanging down (made it lighter). so I figure I could just mount 3m battery pack and have th hose go down to the shield and make it long enough to work around my carving table

[@sicdsteve1]

Trailbound co ????? The 3M face sheild just flips up no need to take of its extremely light I too .

[@TrailBoundco]

@@sicdsteve1 yes I understand. do you think you could link two hoses together, like do they have male/female ends on them or some kind of standard size connector?

[@sicdsteve1]

@@TrailBoundco Not really other than gaffer tape?

[@Phoenix-1278]

Just got the full kit from ebay for £550, all new just without a box. usually it would have been £800+

[@Atemi1990]

Is this mask better filtering the ari compare to regular 3M respirator ?

[@sicdsteve1]

The filtration would be much better and the fan forced filtered air on your back pack is much better tahn filters on your face, think about the filter is away from the dust as well. A standard respirator filter is right in the dust zone so clogging would be less in a back pack.

[@gilad_paz]

Thanks for your great video. Can you use this mask with your eyeglasses on?

[@sicdsteve1]

Gilad Paz Yes I use mine no worries

[@sicdsteve1]

I have a beard also so the beard is not an issue wearing the helmet

[@JohnSmith-se5vo]

@dan jg it does not requirev a full seal unlike other respirators as its provides positive pressure.

[@troyqueen9503]

Silica it is just as bad asbestos ,paper masks need a rating from noish to be effective if worn right can be used for light dust situations,when in doubt use a cartridge type .😷

[@skinbad1]

Is this respirator rated for silica dust?

[@JohnSmith-se5vo]

Yes

[@viking8781]

Awesome video thanks. I refuse to cut my beard so I need a papr. Super good to know it also gas gas filter options.

[@neilsharma7786]

Can you use it with specs and also while sitting on a chair

[@sicdsteve1]

neil sharma Specs no problem , chair should not be but for obvious reasons a stool is better

[@trentdabs5245]

I've worked in Full Face Mask with p100 filters for years and I've always wanted one of these But I just realized something... You Can't really wash the 3M Versaflow and I wash my Full Face Mask every day I used it I don't think the 3M Versaflow would last as long as my good old Full Face Mask Ps I worked for a asbestos remediation company for years using a Full Face Mask and I'm still alive

[@sicdsteve1]

Trent Dabs Of course you can wash it!? no reason why you can’t

[@whowhoMikeJones]

Well explained