Emilliano

[Paul M. Kaplowitz]

Hey Emilliano, I saw your post about the Versaflow unit you bought and that your selling the Airmate 3 . I have been using the Airmate 3 for 25 years and think it may be time to upgrade. How do they compare? Thanks

 

[AlanZ]

Emiliano had an AirStream, not an Airmate.
He is now using a Versaflo M407 helmet with a BreatheEasy blower/filter pack.

 

[AlanZ]

I use a VersaFlo M307 helmet attached to either a VersaFlow TR300 pack, or via a long hose to a wall mounted HEPA filter unit.
I prefer the VersaFlo helmets to the older AirStream and BreatheEasy helmets... easier to adjust, and very comfortable.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Emiliano and I both bought the 3M Versaflo M407 headgear at an incredibly good price on eBay. We also both bought Breathe Easy blower units on eBay. He initially used the Airstream NiCad battery that he already had. The fully charged voltage of that battery is about 5.3 volts and the 50% charge voltage is about 4.8 volts. I went with the recommended NiMH battery which has a fully charged voltage of about 7.25 volts and a 50% charge voltage of 6.25 volts. Since I have both batteries I did a comparison and my conclusion is that the NiMH battery is far better when using the Breathe Easy turbo unit. I would say more than double the airflow when using the NiMH battery. I convinced Emiliano to also get the NiMH battery and he agreed with my conclusion regarding the airflow.

The two differences between the Versaflo M-400 series and the the M-300 series are:

1. The jaw piece on the M-400 series which adds some additional sturdiness to the visor
2. The M-300 series uses a face seal which goes under the chin when the visor is down while the M-400 series uses a neck seal with a drawstring plus an outer shroud that drapes over the shoulders

For woodturning the M-400 series is way overkill and donning it is a real hassle. Emiliano modified his by removing the neck seal and shroud and replacing it with the face seal that the M-300 series uses. He says that is much nicer. I plan to also do that with mine, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Another improvement that I have made is to get the 3M RBE-VST First Responder vest that replaces the belt that normally holds the battery and turbo unit. This is a vast improvement in my opinion.

Regarding the 3M Airstream, I've used mine for 12 years and like it a lot. It is very lightweight and self-contained except for the battery which hangs on the belt. Putting it on and taking it off is quick and easy. It has plenty of airflow, but after being spoiled by the huge increase in airflow of the Versaflo M-407 with Breathe Easy turbo unit and NiMH battery, the Airstream may not see much use except for small jobs during cool weather.

Have you seen this thread: Versaflo M-407?

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

Emiliano and I both bought the 3M Versaflo M407 headgear at an incredibly good price on eBay. We also both bought Breathe Easy blower units on eBay. He initially used the Airstream NiCad battery that he already had. The fully charged voltage of that battery is about 5.3 volts and the 50% charge voltage is about 4.8 volts. I went with the recommended NiMH battery which has a fully charged voltage of about 7.25 volts and a 50% charge voltage of 6.25 volts. Since I have both batteries I did a comparison and my conclusion is that the NiMH battery is far better when using the Breathe Easy turbo unit. I would say more than double the airflow when using the NiMH battery. I convinced Emiliano to also get the NiMH battery and he agreed with my conclusion regarding the airflow.

The two differences between the Versaflo M-400 series and the the M-300 series are:

1. The jaw piece on the M-400 series which adds some additional sturdiness to the visor
2. The M-300 series uses a face seal which goes under the chin when the visor is down while the M-400 series uses a neck seal with a drawstring plus an outer shroud that drapes over the shoulders

For woodturning the M-400 series is way overkill and donning it is a real hassle. Emiliano modified his by removing the neck seal and shroud and replacing it with the face seal that the M-300 series uses. He says that is much nicer. I plan to also do that with mine, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Another improvement that I have made is to get the 3M RBE-VST First Responder vest that replaces the belt that normally holds the battery and turbo unit. This is a vast improvement in my opinion.

Regarding the 3M Airstream, I've used mine for 12 years and like it a lot. It is very lightweight and self-contained except for the battery which hangs on the belt. Putting it on and taking it off is quick and easy. It has plenty of airflow, but after being spoiled by the huge increase in airflow of the Versaflo M-407 with Breathe Easy turbo unit and NiMH battery, the Airstream may not see much use except for small jobs during cool weather.

Have you seen this thread: Versaflo M-407?

Not sure I can add anything else to Bill's great post/review. I find the Versaflo a big step up from the Airstream. I can use it all day without a problem, it's a great helmet and I can recommend it without hesitation. Wish it wasn't so expensive so more turners could use one.

 

[Bill Boehme]

If a person doesn't mind taking the time and effort to shop eBay, a system can be assembled for much less than the cost of a new system. Most of the parts that I got were brand new. I still like my Airstream and plan to keep it for times when I don't want or need to get fully suited up in my HAZMAT like outfit.