Would like input on supplied air respirator. Thinking of the kind that uses small compressor. 3m Versaflo looks nice but do I need hard helmet for paint booth? Any input greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Al

al,

we have a 3m mask on a bullard pump. it is a little painful in that you have a hose dragging around, but you get used to it. i got the pump used for $200 and paid (i think) $400 for the mask. the mask is much easier to get on and off than the hood that came with our bullard pump. i don't know if our is osha hard hat approved, but is the best part of our set up.

i'm not sure how well the systems with the recirculating belt work. we use our system to keep our finisher safe. we spray 2k poly.

I like the Hobbyair systems that use a turbine to supply the air. Not sure about the safety rating for OSHA

The 3m I keep seeing online is SA-100-PSK/37336 (AAD). I think you can use this with a Bullard pump or battery unit with cartridge that you wear on your belt. I think I’m ok dragging air line as when spraying the other day I hooked an airline to my backside and found it acceptable. I’m just tired of breathing through conventional respirator.

i'd double check the specs on the 3m before ordering. when i purchased ours (four plus years ago) i think they either worked for one system or the other. the belt, where the hose hooks in, is bullard equipment. our connecting from belt-to-hose isn't the greatest but adequate.

having no pressure on face is a big improvement over a conventional mask and doesn't fatigue you if spraying for long periods.

has anyone used the breathecool units. they are way less money.

i have the 3M versaflo. find it very comfortable to wear. way nicer than a half mask.
hard hat is overkill but makes it very easy to wear and put on and take off.
Mine is hooked into our compressed air system.

Chris, do you ever catch a hint of oil smell from the compressor? That's why I like a turbine located in a clean area to supply my air.

Chris,
Does the face shield flip up on the Versaflo? Allegro has one very similar to the 3m and it says on their site front visor flips up. This seems like a nice feature.

I've never smelt any oil.Air passes through 3 filters before i breathe it.
yes the visor does flip up.

You can also just use a small scroll air compressor, which are super quiet, oilless, and produce grade d air, if you are worried.

Mine is 47db.

danny b - can you please tell us more about your compressor?

I use an Allegro pump with a 3m Versaflo helmet/mask. I love the Versaflo, it's super comfortable and easy to get on and off. I had an Allegro respirator that I bought with the pump for a while, but the hose and the respirator a cheap poorly made pieces of crap. Get the 3m, it's much better made. Just a note, if you are using an ambient pump (Allegro or otherwise), you need at least 3/4 HP for the Versaflo. It took a bit to get used to dragging a hose, but now I don't even notice it and the fresh air makes the work day much easier.

Scroll air compressors are oil free and provide breathable air (in most cases).

There are also dental/medical compressors that work as well.

The scroll ones can be used as your regular compressor if you want.

There are two ways of doing this, depending on what you want:

1. Buy a small one just for breathing air. compressorworld.com has a bunch that are 2hp or less.

https://www.compressorworld.com/oilless-scroll-air-compressors/enclosed-s
croll-compressors

This is a really expensive way to do it.
I would go with a small dental compressor if i was going to do this, which you can find in a lot of places.

Like this:
https://www.amazon.com/California-Air-Tools-10020SPC-Compressor/dp/B00WM1VPUE

(
which should work for a hood)

or this:
https://www.amazon.com/California-Air-Tools-8010SPC-Compressor/dp/B00GHPO8I2

(w
hich should work for a mask).

This one is only 40db.

There are others, just check the duty cycle.

2. Buy a scroll air compressor and use it for both breathing air and regular compression.

They are less efficient than rotary screw, but lower maintenance (and you never need oil filters anywhere). They also have no minimum duty cycle like rotary screws do.

I use a powerex SES0508

https://www.powerexinc.com/industrial/air/scroll-enclosure-systems/

It can be piped for remote air intake so you can keep it in one place and get the air from another.

Atlas copco and quincy also make some.

Craig,
Do you have the attachment that makes the air cooler? That thing is about the same price as helmet. I’m not in booth all day and wondering if it is needed.

No, I don't have the vortex cooler, i think they only work if you're running the system off of a compressor through the filter system. Some days i think it would be nice, but I've managed to get by without it.

Can you give me the model number of your versaflo? It appears there are several different packages. I need helmet with flip up visor, air tube that runs down back and connection to hook up to the Allegro. Just want to get the right one.
Thank you for your time on this,
Al

I have an m-200. You'll also need the 3m hose and v-400 connector/belt. Worksafe law where I am (BC, Canada) says the components from the pump to the person need to be made by the same manufacturer, so you can't use an allegro hose with a 3m mask.

The same 3m series now has a PAPR that is rated for isocyanate (the TR-800 series).

They have a painters kit you can use that has all the right versaflo stuff.

Not sure i'd trust it, but theoretically nice!

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