Versaflo M-407

[Emiliano Achaval]

I finally was able to get some pictures of the vest that holds the Breathe Easy turbo unit and battery. The vest is is very well made and study (it should be since the new price is over $400. I got it new on eBay for $55). It has an open mesh so it was comfortable last week when the temperature was a cool 87° F. Today it was 97° F and too hot and humid to be outdoors, but the breeze over my face did make it tolerable enough to get some pictures.

First, here's a closeup of the Breathe Easy attached to the back of the vest and the battery goes in a pocket just beneath. I'm just barely able to reach the switch to turn the blower off. The hose is longer than necessary, but it is very flexible so that wasn't a problem. One thing still on my to-do list is to replace the hot and cumbersome inner and outer shrouds with the chin seal that you have on your Versaflo helmet.

View attachment 25570


Here's a zoomed out shot where you can tell how much higher the turbo unit is mounted compared to using a belt. Also, the EPA air quality is much better at the higher altitude.

View attachment 25571


Next, is a view of the front of the vest. I don't know who the old guy is. Inside the vest is a heavy duty nylon belt than can be worn at two different levels. I tried the lower level, but settled on the upper level. After the belt is buckled and cinched up, there is heavy Velcro to close the front of the vest and, as though that isn't enough, there's a really heavy duty zipper for the coup de grâce.

View attachment 25572


And finally, here is a side view. There are nylon straps on each side to adjust the vest to fit any size up to 60" waist.

View attachment 25573

Thank you Bill for posting the pictures!! Looks like a nice option. I would just worried about chips and sawdust getting stuck and or going all over under the mesh, you know how much chips we generate... I would buy one if I find it for that price. There are none right now on Ebay. Bill, I bought a package of 3 confort seals, I used one, looks like they will last a long time, specially since we won't be grabbing it all the time like with the Airstream, it a much better material too. I can send you one if you want to try it. You can send me one back when you find a good deal. I'm guessing mine will last at least 6 months if not longer, with daily use. What exactly did you search for on Ebay when you found the vest? I searched Breathe Easy Vest, and several other combinations, and nothing... I started watching on Netflix the new "Lost in Space" I think you and I could be extras on that show... I forgot, I really like the new height of the filters, let me know if that helps any, LOL. Aloha

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

I finally was able to get some pictures of the vest that holds the Breathe Easy turbo unit and battery. The vest is is very well made and study (it should be since the new price is over $400. I got it new on eBay for $55). It has an open mesh so it was comfortable last week when the temperature was a cool 87° F. Today it was 97° F and too hot and humid to be outdoors, but the breeze over my face did make it tolerable enough to get some pictures.

First, here's a closeup of the Breathe Easy attached to the back of the vest and the battery goes in a pocket just beneath. I'm just barely able to reach the switch to turn the blower off. The hose is longer than necessary, but it is very flexible so that wasn't a problem. One thing still on my to-do list is to replace the hot and cumbersome inner and outer shrouds with the chin seal that you have on your Versaflo helmet.

View attachment 25570


Here's a zoomed out shot where you can tell how much higher the turbo unit is mounted compared to using a belt. Also, the EPA air quality is much better at the higher altitude.

View attachment 25571


Next, is a view of the front of the vest. I don't know who the old guy is. Inside the vest is a heavy duty nylon belt than can be worn at two different levels. I tried the lower level, but settled on the upper level. After the belt is buckled and cinched up, there is heavy Velcro to close the front of the vest and, as though that isn't enough, there's a really heavy duty zipper for the coup de grâce.

View attachment 25572


And finally, here is a side view. There are nylon straps on each side to adjust the vest to fit any size up to 60" waist.

View attachment 25573

I just noticed that you purchased the same filters than me. Are those our best option? I vacuum mine every day, they seem to be holding well. I can see the dust inside at the end of the day... Also, seems that you had a good time with the photo session, LOL. And I don't see an "old" guy, I see a young turner with a lot of experience.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Thank you Bill for posting the pictures!! Looks like a nice option. I would just worried about chips and sawdust getting stuck and or going all over under the mesh, you know how much chips we generate... I would buy one if I find it for that price. There are none right now on Ebay. Bill, I bought a package of 3 confort seals, I used one, looks like they will last a long time, specially since we won't be grabbing it all the time like with the Airstream, it a much better material too. I can send you one if you want to try it. You can send me one back when you find a good deal. I'm guessing mine will last at least 6 months if not longer, with daily use. What exactly did you search for on Ebay when you found the vest? I searched Breathe Easy Vest, and several other combinations, and nothing... I started watching on Netflix the new "Lost in Space" I think you and I could be extras on that show... I forgot, I really like the new height of the filters, let me know if that helps any, LOL. Aloha

I didn't notice any tendency for chips to stick to the vest. The mesh is fairly stiff. I just did my usual cleanup using an air hose to blow the chips and dust off my clothing.

Here is the eBay link where I got the vest and they still have many more: 3M RBE-VST Vest

 

[Bill Boehme]

I just noticed that you purchased the same filters than me. Are those our best option? I vacuum mine every day, they seem to be holding well. I can see the dust inside at the end of the day... Also, seems that you had a good time with the photo session, LOL. And I don't see an "old" guy, I see a young turner with a lot of experience.

Yes that is the high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

I didn't notice any tendency for chips to stick to the vest. The mesh is fairly stiff. I just did my usual cleanup using an air hose to blow the chips and dust off my clothing.

Here is the eBay link where I got the vest and they still have many more: 3M RBE-VST Vest

I believe some people didn't pay attention in school, Hawaii is a State in the US. The vest people do not ship to Hawaii... A flat rate box costs the same anywhere in the US!! I will send them a message... Thank you for the link.

 

[Bill Boehme]

I believe some people didn't pay attention in school, Hawaii is a State in the US. The vest people do not ship to Hawaii... A flat rate box costs the same anywhere in the US!! I will send them a message... Thank you for the link.

Alaska and Hawaii both became states when I was in elementary school ... in 1959 which was almost sixty years ago. I got the vest in a flat rate box. Tell them to just put your ZIP code on the box if they can't spell Hawaii.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

Boy now if that is not looking like Flash Gordon. How heavy is the whole setup?

 

[Dennis Weiner]

This has been an informative thread for me. The backpack is a great solution for the bulky equipment. Unfortunately I have a bad back so I wouldn’t be able to wear all that equipment around my belt or on my back. Like the old deep sea divers, I would have to have a life line to an external air supply. And There is plenty of clean temperature controlled dust free air in the next room.!!

Right now I have the original 3M power visor which is too noisy and only provides nuisance dust protection. When working with spaulted wood, I use an additional mask under the power visor. I really would like to upgrade to the versaflo headgear perhaps the M107 costing in the low 200s. I was thinking possibly of mounting a non 3m air supply hose to cable and travel ring that spanned across the ceiling to my air supply and blower in another room.

This idea of course wouldn’t work for everyone, but for me in my small 12x 9 lathe room it’s worth giving up the mobility for a very light weight, Quiet, battery free, filter free system. I’m really thinking about going forward with this project. I will post progress. Has anyone else constructed or have experience with externally supplied air systems?

 

[Bill Boehme]

Here is a rough measurement of the weight. The vest plus turbo unit, battery, and air hose weigh 6½ pounds. The helmet with the double shroud weighs 2½ pounds. So, the total weight of everything is about 9 pounds.

When I get rid of the hot double shroud that will remove about a pound of weight from the helmet. I will replace it with the face seal that goes under the chin and it weighs only a couple ounces. I could remove a few ounces of weight from the vest by cutting off some excess strap length. My estimate is that the vest alone weighs 2½ to 3 pounds. I have lots of back problems and the vest is much more comfortable than the belt which kept slipping lower and lower.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

This has been an informative thread for me. The backpack is a great solution for the bulky equipment. Unfortunately I have a bad back so I wouldn’t be able to wear all that equipment around my belt or on my back. Like the old deep sea divers, I would have to have a life line to an external air supply. And There is plenty of clean temperature controlled dust free air in the next room.!!

Right now I have the original 3M power visor which is too noisy and only provides nuisance dust protection. When working with spaulted wood, I use an additional mask under the power visor. I really would like to upgrade to the versaflo headgear perhaps the M107 costing in the low 200s. I was thinking possibly of mounting a non 3m air supply hose to cable and travel ring that spanned across the ceiling to my air supply and blower in another room.

This idea of course wouldn’t work for everyone, but for me in my small 12x 9 lathe room it’s worth giving up the mobility for a very light weight, Quiet, battery free, filter free system. I’m really thinking about going forward with this project. I will post progress. Has anyone else constructed or have experience with externally supplied air systems?

A funny story with a lesson for you. Aaron Hammer, one of our full time profesional woodturners in Hawaii, has a 3M Airstream helmet. Connected to a bathroom blower up on the wall, with the hose like you described. He didnt put a filter in the input... One morning he started turning, and all of a sudden a huge Cane spider, the size of his hand, (spider gets bigger every time I tell the story) it's sitting on the visor, on the inside!! He said he let go of the gouge, hitting the bowl, and threw the helmet across the shop! Do not forget to have some kind of screen and or filtration on your! LOL. Good luck, and dont forget to show us what you make. @AlanZ has something like what you want, he's tethered to a hose up on something that rolls, on the ceiling. I think he showed us that somewhere, but my old-timers is acting up right now... Aloha

 

[Dennis Weiner]

Here is a rough measurement of the weight. The vest plus turbo unit, battery, and air hose weigh 6½ pounds. The helmet with the double shroud weighs 2½ pounds. So, the total weight of everything is about 9 pounds.

When I get rid of the hot double shroud that will remove about a pound of weight from the helmet. I will replace it with the face seal that goes under the chin and it weighs only a couple ounces. I could remove a few ounces of weight from the vest by cutting off some excess strap length. My estimate is that the vest alone weighs 2½ to 3 pounds. I have lots of back problems and the vest is much more comfortable than the belt which kept slipping lower and lower.

Thanks for the info. I have small hips so I usually have to wear suspenders. Lately, I have not been able to wear them either. The few extra pounds of pressure is too much for whatever ails me. The 1200-1400 bucks is also a big weight. I think I can do it all for 300 with the versaflo headgear.

 

[Dennis Weiner]

A funny story with a lesson for you. Aaron Hammer, one of our full time profesional woodturners in Hawaii, has a 3M Airstream helmet. Connected to a bathroom blower up on the wall, with the hose like you described. He didnt put a filter in the input... One morning he started turning, and all of a sudden a huge Cane spider, the size of his hand, (spider gets bigger every time I tell the story) it's sitting on the visor, on the inside!! He said he let go of the gouge, hitting the bowl, and threw the helmet across the shop! Do not forget to have some kind of screen and or filtration on your! LOL. Good luck, and dont forget to show us what you make. @AlanZ has something like what you want, he's tethered to a hose up on something that rolls, on the ceiling. I think he showed us that somewhere, but my old-timers is acting up right now... Aloha

Lol , that’s a funny story. I was thinking about sources to get the fresh air. The downstairs bathroom is the only room that boarders the shop wall. That could also generate some funny stories. Not even a HEPA filter would help there.

I have to admit not being original with the external air system connected to the Versaflo. @AlanZ discussed his system with me over a year ago. Him and Rene Russo in The Movie Outbreak were responsible for the vision.

 

[Bill Boehme]

I have several CPAP machines that I have retired and I have considered using them as my air source.

The weather is a real scorcher today so I will give my rig a real workout to see if I can stand it. BTW, I turn outdoors in the full sun.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

I have several CPAP machines that I have retired and I have considered using them as my air source.

The weather is a real scorcher today so I will give my rig a real workout to see if I can stand it. BTW, I turn outdoors in the full sun.

No one wonder you are hot, LOL. Do you have to move the lathe in and out? When the sun is shining on my lathe, in the afternoons, I have to lower the curtains, it's too bright. Never thought too much light could bother me...

 

[Mike Johnson]

Bill,

They do make these new fangled pop-up awnings that would provide shade for you while using your lathe outside. There is an unusually high level of U.V. being reported around the globe so it is wise to limit your direct exposure to the sun when working outside. The sun has entered the solar minimum which produces very little activity on the sun, but seems to be emitting some higher levels of UVA, UVB and UVC this year.

 

[Bill Boehme]

I'm worn out after about six hours in the sun. It is 95° F right now. Surprisingly, the helmet had enough air flow to make it bearable, but 95° is 95° no matter how you slice it. I wish the helmet was white instead of dark gray.

I can't complain about not having enough light. Sometimes there are specular highlights that blind me. There is a nearby oak tree, but it will be twenty years before it is big enough to provide any shade. Maybe I could talk to Brent about designing a parasol holder accessory.

Thanks for the warning, Mike.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

I'm worn out after about six hours in the sun. It is 95° F right now. Surprisingly, the helmet had enough air flow to make it bearable, but 95° is 95° no matter how you slice it. I wish the helmet was white instead of dark gray.

I can't complain about not having enough light. Sometimes there are specular highlights that blind me. There is a nearby oak tree, but it will be twenty years before it is big enough to provide any shade. Maybe I could talk to Brent about designing a parasol holder accessory.

Thanks for the warning, Mike.

You could paint the helmet reflective aluminum .

 

[hockenbery]

I'm worn out after about six hours in the sun. It is 95° F right now. Surprisingly, the helmet had enough air flow to make it bearable, but 95° is 95° no matter how you slice it.

Have you considered an “easy up” tent shelter for some shade?
We have used them in some outside turning events held by our clubs.
One person can actually put them up.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Have you considered an “easy up” tent shelter for some shade?
We have used them in some outside turning events held by our clubs.
One person can actually put them up.

Can you put them up on a concrete driveway? I think that I was on the verge of a heat stroke because I was having a splitting headache.

Actually, I'm working on Mrs B to get a real workshop. I told her today that I'm the only woodturner in the civilized world who turns outdoors in 100° F heat. As far as I know, that is a true statement.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

Can you put them up on a concrete driveway? I think that I was on the verge of a heat stroke because I was having a splitting headache.

Actually, I'm working on Mrs B to get a real workshop. I told her today that I'm the only woodturner in the civilized world who turns outdoors in 100° F heat. As far as I know, that is a true statement.

I have set those tents in a concrete scenario. I used 4 medium size buckets from Ace. I poured concrete in them, and at the top I added an eye hook, embedded in the cement. I then tied the ropes to this... I'm the head coach for the Air riflery team at my sons old high school, thats how we secure out tent when we go to some schools for competition...

 

[hockenbery]

The “easy up” just sits on the surface of the ground. If there is wind they need to be anchored.
If it is a calm day you don’t need weights.
You can anchor them with stakes and ropes.
A lot of folks just hang a weight on each leg. @Emiliano Achaval style concrete, sand bags, gallon jugs filled with sand, old window weights, barbell weights all work.

A real shop....
A lot of folks with back yard space and the community blessings Modify garden type sheds for shops.
Prebuilt wood mini barns, aluminum structures, in Texas you have the barndominiums.
These run a wide range of looks some are palatial with a comensarate cost.
Add electricity and a minisplit AC

 

[Bill Boehme]

Thread Has been moved to Health & Safety.

 

[Dean Center]

I'm the only woodturner in the civilized world who turns outdoors in 100° F heat. As far as I know, that is a true statement.

Sorry, Bill, it's not true. You live in Texas, which means you may be the only woodturner in the uncivilized world who turns outdoors in 100 degree heat. But you're competing against guys in subsaharan Africa and Borneo and such places.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Sorry, Bill, it's not true. You live in Texas, which means you may be the only woodturner in the uncivilized world who turns outdoors in 100 degree heat. But you're competing against guys in subsaharan Africa and Borneo and such places.

Point well taken. The forecast for the next week is for temperature highs up to 108° F. Today was only 103° F. Nothing civil about that.

 

[hockenbery]

Point well taken. The forecast for the next week is for temperature highs up to 108° F. Today was only 103° F. Nothing civil about that.

We use to get a week of oppressive 100s in Maryland ever couple of years.
Too hot.
In central Florida summer highs are 92-94 every day with afternoon thunder storms.

Wer don’t get the extreme heat
Stay cool Keep hydrated

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

I was going to post this on a new thread, but I believe it should fit here. These past few days I kept smelling something very foul. As bad as cat piss... Finally today I had to stop to investigate. The suspect was my smock... Ended up being the sweat band of the versaflow... I'm soaking it in clorox, as I know from past experiences from other sweatbands that just washing them you can't get rid of the smell. Just in case, I ordered a box of 10 new ones. Looks like they were designed by Versacci, a box of 10, with shipping, almost $50. I had this happened before, just maybe twice that I can remember in over 20 years. You think it would happen more often... I have to check the flow of air tomorrow, I'm not sure if I need to change the filters, I think I was getting more flow a few weeks ago...
One of the rules that. I have , bring your own facemask, I have had the smell problem when other people used mine...

 

[Jack Lilley]

Probably about a year ago I purchased a used respirator system from a woodturners site. The system included a North Compact Air pump with filters, a rechargeable battery pack on a waistband and a gas mask type face shield. I think I paid $165 for it with shipping. As soon as I tried on the mask I discovered I couldn't use it as I wear glasses and the 4 straps used to attach the mask interfered with them. Another thing that was awkward was the hose that come around your side into a Y and then into the mask, it was just kind of in the way. After reading this thread I ordered a Versaflo M100 and the hose it needed from Ebay, the visor was $125 and the hose less then $30. This set up with the North pump is perfect! The helmet/visor weighs almost nothing, there is no obstruction of view and the hose coming up your back into the helmet is such that I don't even know it is there. Thanks to you all for the information you have shared.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

The AAW smock does a great job of keeping chips from going down the collar and it's cool enough to wear in the Texas summer. I was wondering if you still felt that it is necessary to use hearing protection.

SInce I was told I lost 30% hearing on one of my ears, I make it a habit to wear hearing protection. Are you still using the shroud?

 

[Bill Boehme]

SInce I was told I lost 30% hearing on one of my ears, I make it a habit to wear hearing protection. Are you still using the shroud?

Getting rid of the shroud is on my to-do list, but I won't be doing any turning for quite a while until my back completely heals. I'm beginning to feel better now. The first week after getting out of the hospital was pretty miserable.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

Getting rid of the shroud is on my to-do list, but I won't be doing any turning for quite a while until my back completely heals. I'm beginning to feel better now. The first week after getting out of the hospital was pretty miserable.

I was worried about taking the shroud out and adding the other one. Was very easy... Of course, I saved the shroud, just in case, but I don't think I'll be putting it back. Sorry to hear you were not happy in your first week. Doctors never tell you how bad things are going to be... Glad you are on the mend! There is a positive side to this, we have you more hours taking care of things here, LOL. Merry Christmas!

 

[Bill Boehme]

I was worried about taking the shroud out and adding the other one. Was very easy... Of course, I saved the shroud, just in case, but I don't think I'll be putting it back. Sorry to hear you were not happy in your first week. Doctors never tell you how bad things are going to be... Glad you are on the mend! There is a positive side to this, we have you more hours taking care of things here, LOL. Merry Christmas!

If possible I would like to see some close up pictures that show the throat shroud on your modified helmet.

My wife took me Christmas shopping yesterday at my favorite hardware store and it felt great to get out of the house.

Have a very Merry Christmas.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

I

If possible I would like to see some close up pictures that show the throat shroud on your modified helmet.

My wife took me Christmas shopping yesterday at my favorite hardware store and it felt great to get out of the house.

Have a very Merry Christmas.

just wrote it on my calendar to take some pictures, maybe even a short video of the Versaflo.. Your wife sure knows how to cheer you up!! Since we are in Maui, mine just told me, go on Amazon for Christmas... Mele Kalikimaka!!!

 

[Glenn Lefley]

@Emiliano Achaval it bothers me to hear that members might be skipping over that forum. I read every new post so maybe I was being naive to assume that other forum members do the same. Believe it or not, most threads in that forum are worth reading Moving a thread there isn't quite like sending it into the Black Hole of Calcutta because I can still leave a permanent redirect when I move a thread to a different forum. This means that you would still see a link in its original forum.

I’ve never even seen that area. To me it was internet oblivion.

 

[Bill Boehme]

I’ve never even seen that area...

I'm glad that you discovered it. There's a lot of good information in this forum.