Tips on Versaflo system

[Darryn Achall]

I found a Versaflo TR-600-ECK system, new, damaged box, for $300. It has the soft hood but I ordered the M-307 helmet off Ebay. Total investment with shipping and tax is $775. I'm excited to put this together and try it out. Anyone have tips and tricks for assembly or use? One thought is that this comes with the vapor cartridge and spark resistant pre-filter. Will it make a difference? Do I need the particulate filter?

 

[Monty Ivy]

Check out this thread from last December.

 

[Roger Wiegand]

If it doesn't have a HEPA filter you're going to want one. It's the small particles that are most dangerous.

Note that most HEPA filters can't be cleaned and should not be blown out with compressed air as that compromises their effectiveness. I'd follow the manufacturer's instructions in that regard. I find they last a very long time, especially with the blower placed behind you and out of most of the dust.

 

[Doug Freeman]

Get some visor protecters/overlays to protect from scratches.

The vapor cartridge has equal filtering to the particulate only filter. If you plan to use the vapor for vapor, get a particulate filter (I spray stuff so use both types).

Get a spare battery so when it dies in the middle of needing the unit you can keep going - I keep a battery on the charger - it wont overcharge.

I use the foam prefilters and vacuum the dust off every few uses. The filters last a long time.

Remember to turn it off when not cutting to save the battery. Sometimes those “I’m gonna do this for 30 sec” turns into 10-30 min and it just wasted the battery life.

Otherwise it has been trouble free and great for keeping stuff out of my “breathing system”.

 

[Darryn Achall]

Get a spare battery so when it dies in the middle of needing the unit you can keep going - I keep a battery on the charger - it wont overcharge.

I use the foam prefilters and vacuum the dust off every few uses. The filters last a long time.

Remember to turn it off when not cutting to save the battery. Sometimes those “I’m gonna do this for 30 sec” turns into 10-30 min and it just wasted the battery life.

I plan on getting a spare battery as soon as budget allows.
Will look into the foam prefilters. This unit came with a spark arresting prefilter.
I wear glasses and wonder if they will fog up when I turn the unit off when doing a "this for 30 sec"

 

[Roger Wiegand]

Given the cost, I'd question the immediate need for a spare battery unless you use the mask 10 hours a day and don't take a lunch break. The longest I've ever run mine in one go was about six hours and at that point it still had two bars worth of battery power left. Try it for a while and see whether or not you succeed in running the battery down. These things (at least the prior generation) were invented for coal miners and intended to run reliably for a full shift. With my prior one, the predecessor of the current models, after about 10-12 years the battery life dropped to around three hours, that's when I bought a new battery and upgraded to a "smart" charger (now standard).

 

[Ric Williams]

If you can afford it, I'd recommend a 2nd battery too. I wound up with two and find it's pretty convenient if you're working when the battery alarm starts beeping.
It's certainly manageable with a single battery though. The visor shields are a good investment, especially if you use CA glue on turnings, cuz sooner or later you're going to splatter some on the visor. I wear glasses too and have never had a problem with them fogging during or after using the system.

 

[Paul Hackworth]

I have this same model and the battery lasts. Good 10 hours. I don’t recommend a second battery unless you are a full time turner, or are not good at remembering to charge your battery when it starts getting low. If I have it on for more than 4 hours or so, my neck gets a little sore from the weight.
I turn mostly green wood, so I usually wear a regular face shield until I start sanding. I wear it the whole time that I am working with walnut because it irritates my skin, face included. I also wear glasses full time and they don’t fog up when I turn the blower off for 30 seconds, but the inside of the helmet starts fogging within seconds. The only reason I turn it off without removing the helmet is to talk to my wife when she comes in the shop. It doesn’t feel like it is that loud, but it does make it hard to hear when the fan is on.
You made a great choice with this unit and it will last you for a long time. Maybe even the rest of your life.

 

[Darryn Achall]

Thanks everyone! My next question is: Do you use the 3M ear protection that is made for the helmet? Is there something different you would recommend?

 

[Ric Williams]

Personally, there have only been a few times that I've needed hearing protection while using the system and that was doing some metal working. In those cases I just used ear plugs.
My neck is a wreck and I found that the weight of the M-307 helmet made my neck sore after a 1/2 hour. I tried an M-207 helmet and the 30% lighter weight was enough that I can wear it comfortably for as long as I need. It doesn't have as good of an impact rating, but has the same visor, frame, seals, etc. as the M-307. I should probably sell the 307 because I doubt that I'll ever use it again.

 

[Darryn Achall]

Personally, there have only been a few times that I've needed hearing protection while using the system and that was doing some metal working. In those cases I just used ear plugs.
My neck is a wreck and I found that the weight of the M-307 helmet made my neck sore after a 1/2 hour. I tried an M-207 helmet and the 30% lighter weight was enough that I can wear it comfortably for as long as I need. It doesn't have as good of an impact rating, but has the same visor, frame, seals, etc. as the M-307. I should probably sell the 307 because I doubt that I'll ever use it again.

Thanks Ric. I will keep the M-207 helmet in mind if I feel like the M-307 is too heavy.

 

[Darryn Achall]

Has anyone cut their own foam prefilter? What material would you use. Those prefilters are very pricy for disposable items!

 

[Vern Crandell]

I use the 3M ear muffs on my helmet whenever I turn on my dust collector that is way too loud. I find them comfortable to wear.
For pre-filters, I have cut strips from a good quality furnace filter. I cut them to fit around the main filter and are held in place when pushed in. Make sure your pre-filter doesn't impede the air flow too much. Use the gauge that came with the system to check that out.

 

[Darryn Achall]

I use the 3M ear muffs on my helmet whenever I turn on my dust collector that is way too loud. I find them comfortable to wear.
For pre-filters, I have cut strips from a good quality furnace filter. I cut them to fit around the main filter and are held in place when pushed in. Make sure your pre-filter doesn't impede the air flow too much. Use the gauge that came with the system to check that out.

I just bought some 1/8" open cell foam, going to cut a filter and check with the air flow gauge.

 

[Michael Nathal]

I rarely work more than a few hours per day, but my battery runs out frequently. I don't like to charge it until it completely runs down, since I was under the impression that you can extend the battery's life that way. This could be an urban legend. 3M offers an "economy" battery. Half the size, half the run time, and half the cost. I find it useful to bridge the gap while I wait for the main battery to recharge.

 

[Brian Gustin]

I don't like to charge it until it completely runs down, since I was under the impression that you can extend the battery's life that way. This could be an urban legend.

Yes. and No. Li-Ion batteries don't get "charge memory" to them, but Ni-Cd batteries do. It's the Ni-Cd batteries that you need to fully discharge and fully recharge every so often. Li-Ion batteries don't care much (Though they can be sensitive to temperature - they don't work so good in freezing weather)

From Google search: Unlike NiCad batteries, lithium-ion batteries do not have a charge memory. That means deep-discharge cycles are not required. In fact, it’s better for the battery to use partial-discharge cycles. Battery experts suggest that after 30 charges, you should allow lithium-ion batteries to almost completely discharge.


Also, I'd add that when I was selling battery power equipment (Makita) and servicing Ridgid/Ryobi/Milwaukee/Homelite tools, As a dealer, I'd stock some batteries, and manufacturer recommendation was to not store Li-Ion batteries long term at full charge (they're generally between 1/2 - 3/4 charged at factory) - They will lose charge over time but shelf life I was told was up to 3 years before taking them out of the package and recharging them. (and then sell 'em at a discount obviously - Usually I'd have batteries sold before that happened, and if not, I'd put them in for annual parts return/exchange program, and order fresher batteries, though a time or two I was sold old batteries that had come from other dealers' returns..)