3M Versaflo Respirator System 

Hi Peter, I am a medical doctor/weekend warrior woodworker. Thank you for another excellent presentation. I hope every woodworker take note of the longterm dangers of sawdust inhalation. Good luck with you own health Marius Steyn Vancouver BC Canada

Thanks, great video!

Excellent review Peter thank you. I’ve just invested in the 3M Versaflo, as you say it’s a small investment for such an important piece of equipment. What use are all the best woodworking tools if you neglect your health and die from dust related diseases. No brainer

Peter I watch all of your videos and as a sufferer of lung disease I found this video particularly relevant and important. My problems were not caused by contaminants but rather by bad luck in the gene lottery. Never the less I protect what I have and today I have received my 3M Versaflow and I'm just waiting now for the battery to charge. Thank you sincerely for your video review as with all your videos it was superb. Once again thank you. :-)

Hey Peter I know its been a while since you did your review but just wanted to share that I have bought the TR 600HIK and a lot based of your review. I'm not in woodworking but spraying in the Vineyards here in The Napa Valley US. Great in depth view and looks to work real well even for those of us visually challenged_glasses. Thanks again and still trying to get to the UK. Want to see Ol Trafford and Tottenham Hots Spurs! Cheers from The US!!!!

Good review Peter, thank you.

Thank you for the clear explanation

G'DAY there. Just wanted to pop back in after getting my replacement unit from 3M and I goto say I was very pleased with everything. The merchant and 3M were very apologetic for what happened and really pulled their socks up to get me a functional unit. Well to say openly this device in my job is a godsend to say the least. My position on a ship when grain loading is on deck next to the hatch peering inside while operating the loader. Normally I get a face full of cyclonic dust rising from the hatch were face mask respirator and goggles don't fit well. At the end of a shift discomfort would extend many days after from your eyes and nose. Was loading some extremely dusty barley with only around 10m visibility with this unit on and it was fantastic. First time ever I'm not hacking tring to breath through a slowly blocking standard respirator and having my eyes filled with itchy particles. Being able to concentrate on my job without any discomfort was just wonderful. The shroud also kept my top shirt pocket clean with chalf inside or inside making you itch like you have fleas. Only one drawback with the unit is the motors noise can be quite loud but it's a good traid off. One other thing I noticed when obtaining my new unit the connecting pipe was different. The first pipe looked like rubberised flexy pipe where as the new one was more like a ribbed vacuum cleaner pipe. Only real difference the new pipe hugged closer to your back. My friend has the other pipe and seems to be stretched and bulged out. Anyway that my bit. Thanks.

Many thanks Marius. I will now use a respirator more often. I hope my study of workshop dust will also demonstrate the need for care when working with wood and man-made boards. Peter

Thanks Peter for the very nice review, and explanation of the product. Better than 3M's themselves. I am a ceramic artist and do a lot of spraying of glazes, as well as of course, the usual clay dust that we incur on a daily basis. I have just been looking at this product as a safety measure that may not be used "all" of the time, but anytime I'm spraying, or cleaning the studio, when the dust is in the air.

Hi Jaap, I never do direct comparisons of products as it is too subjective. Some features may be more important to one person than another. However, the Trend is certainly the best powered respirator in the sub 300 UK pound class. The Versaflo is over twice that price and should be considered as the 'Rolls Royce' of powered respirators. They both claim to provide a similar degree of protection. I have only once had a ride in a Rolls Royce and I would do it every day if I could. Peter

Holy Moly!!! This thing is EXPENSIVE!! I have the Trend which, while not perfect, is a sufficient adjunct to my 3.5HP Cyclone DC, and room air filter circulator. Hope 3M gave you that to review, otherwise I'd rather be adding Bessey Revo Clamps for the price! Great review though....

Hi thee , great video , i was wondering how do i fit the belt ,, can,t seem to work it out . Thank you . Andy

I really like the review. I'd be interested, though, to hear you compare this directly to the Trend Airshield Pro you reviewed earlier.

Thanks Sittingelf, Expensive? All things are relative and after the scare, then getting the thumbs up from the various doctors and told to watch the wood dust, even I would sacrifice a few clamps for better health!

I agree these units are very good. I'm a Stevedore who loads grain onto bulk carriers and sometimes the dust is phenomenal. One of the guys at work got the shrouded type with a basic p2 filter and pre cleaner and is very happy. Me on the other hand Iv very upset with 3M at the moment. I unpacked my new kit today and found the air pump bit missing. After calling the shop about it I decided to put the battery on charge in anticipation of the pumping part arriving soon via priority post to find ether the charge dock or battery to be defective! It's been about 14 hours on charge and the battery is dead via pressing the test button on it. It looks like to me they sent me a defective return that has slipped back onto the production line unchecked then resold to a sucker like me. After paying upfront cash for the unit and waiting three weeks for it I'm already fed up with it and ready to just get my money back. My trust in 3M has just disappeared. Sorry about the negative report.

Great video, I'm thinking of buying one of these systems. I work in a smoky machine shop full of smoke and chemicals. I worry about my lungs!

Hi again Peter Am in total agreement on the need for dust protection. Like you I have found that years of working in dusty environments has affected my health, although fortunately not to the extent of acquiring an asthmatic condition. I do, however, find myself suffering with a tight chest and coughing if I do not take some protective measures. I had previously bought a Trend mask but found it a little on the heavy side and it has not been trouble free during the time I have had it. So of late I have been using a JSP mask with suitable filters. This has been ok but, like you, I found that it is not the most pleasant item to use especially for prolonged periods. So when I saw your video I thought the Versaflo might be the answer. The cost is a bit of an issue however but put against one's long term health probably not really so much. Consequently I trawled the internet and found some offers which although still quite a lot of money were a good saving on the 'going' rate and I am now in possession of a Versaflo 300 and M106 mask at a cost of just under £500. My immediate reaction was that it was a well made product and after charging it up I have given it a couple of runs, one when rip sawing some wood (my vintage bench saw has no useful dust extraction) and whilst doing some turning/sanding. I have to say that I am really pleased with it's performance. It gave plenty of air (on the lower setting) and after a very short while I did not notice it was on. The view through the mask is excellent and perfect for the close work needed when checking finishes. One final thing Peter - some years ago I saw your video of the Cyclone Central cyclone kit and bought one and have had it in use since. Unfortunately when doing some maintenance on it the other day I managed to block off the safety valve and it suddenly and without warning imploded. It is a complete write-off so I looked to find their web site to order a replacement kit only to find that it has disappeared. Are you aware of the company having ceased trading or possibly moved on with a new name. If the former it looks like I will have to dig much deeper in my pocket and get a new cyclone based extractor as I would not go back to extraction without a cyclone. Many thanks John N

some investment, but in the long run it should pay for itself......wonder if 3M have filters for spray paints etc....Thanks for the review

I think the investment is worth it - I am sure that 3M do filters for every industry, including painters (I know they cover people handling chicken manure!). Peter

one of my family member is the medical worker in frontline, I'm deciding to buy this one for her as gift

Great review , very detailed and we'll explained .. I was wondering though if there is a one way vent in the bottom of the head shield to let out expired air that would otherwise accumulate ?

Peter i commend you on all your videos you do describe everything with great detail and do come across very well on your videos great stuff. however do not take this as a criticism in anyway but after you demonstrate the 3m versaflow headshield if suppose you were cutting mdf my favourite(not) the minutes after dust would still be around and airboune by the saw which has not been caught by the vacuum extractor.I have copd so i am considering one of these otherwise i will lose more lung function long term i cant stress to the readers how important it is to protect with the best respirators you can afford not simply put a cheap paper mask on as it just will not be up to scratch .1 YEARS OF SUCKING DUST INTO YOUR LUNGS/NOSE EQUATES TO 1% LOSS OF LUNG FUNCTION AS A ROUGH GUIDE WITHOUT PROPER RESPIRATION THIS CAN HAPPEN many thanks peter taking us into the 21st century.

Very well done Mr. Parfitt. The Versaflo will be my next major expenditure for the shop. How much protection does the headgear provide for the woodturner? Thank you, R. Mantell

note about lithium ion... if you live in a place that gets cold, you must bring it inside to charge. something about the chemistry doesnt allow them to accept charge around 32f 0c

Thanks Peter for amazing detailed reviews of the product. I am just curious how long does per particulate filter last long? For example if I use this Versaflo system for about 8 hours per day, do I have to change the particulate filter once in every week? I just want to know. Thanks!

Great!! Thank you so much for replying, now do you wear it every day all day?

Nice review, as usual. very detailed and easy to understand. Is there a specific unit designation just for woodworkers? When I look them up, it gets a little overwhelming.

Would this work for metal grinding like sharpening lawn mower blades?

How long does the air filter last on this system?

Hi Peter, looking at powered respirator and considering the Axminster evolution model, have you looked at it at all as I know you've done many Axy reviews previously? Thanks in advance. Craig

When should you renew the pre filter and the main filter and how do you know when to do so?

Peter, great review. I was wondering how you would rate this system compared to the Trend Airshield Pro and which would you recommend? I realize that these two units are at a very different price point but, as you mentioned in your video, when you consider this as a major piece of woodworking equipment the price becomes somewhat less important. Thanks, Derrick

Hey, one question, the air that it provides, is it hot or cold?

ive been having breathing trouble after woodworking lately that is confusing even my doctor. i really think somehow my half face respirator is taxing my lungs. does something like this provide easier breathing?

Hi I'm considering getting one of these but what filter would I use for MDF etc thanks and great video.

why not pellet your sawdust for cat litter?

Its not even tight arround the neck, is this really 100% filtering the bad air? :( Thank you

It's nice but when you can get a better product for over half the price by buying the Trend Airshield... why would I buy pay more for an inferior product?

Ok

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It's overpriced but works