Official Luthiers Forum!

I was looking into purchasing the new Trend Airshield Pro unit for dust but have recently thought more about getting one of these 3M adflo PAPR systems.
Has anybody had any experience with these? In my understanding, it can be used for both for woodworking and spray finishing.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

I guess it must be a good one huh

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Hi John,

For $843, (3M Adflo PAPR High Efficiency Multi Gas and Vapor System), I would wonder if a SCUBA tank, regulator, and mask would be a better deal. That way, you could go get your own abalone shells, and really watch submarine races.

Seriously, that's a lot of loot, but I'll bet you'd be well protected.

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

John you might want to look at the Trend Air shield for a lot less money
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=4923


Da that is what you were looking at at first. Stupid Stupid Stupid

John, I bought the Trend version and found it a bit claustrophobic and a tad heavy. It has the fan and all in the helmet. I emailed another luthier about it after seeing a photo of him wearing one. He had no problems with it and said he literally couldn't build without it. Maybe because he was unwilling to shave his beard. Not sure.

I tried it because I have started to get somewhat allergic to all sorts of things (definitly an occupational hazard) and found myself wearing a half-face respirator pretty much all the time. I was tired of the effort required to breath through a carbon filter with a hepa on top. Thought the powered air might be nice. It is but for me, not worth the other hassels. I've been planning to put it on ebay but if you're interested, I'll send it to you to try out if you pay the shipping. 1/2 price if you want to keep it. Unlike the 3m though, it's only good for particulates.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

Dennis wrote "For $843, (3M Adflo PAPR High Efficiency Multi Gas and Vapor System), I would wonder if a SCUBA tank, regulator, and mask would be a better deal. That way, you could go get your own abalone shells, and really watch submarine races."

I guess it all comes down to how much you value your longs. I only got one set and they're old.

I think I'll opt for these because I would really like to be able to use them for spraying.
Kind'a expensive but hey, so is a guitar!!

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

John,

Several years ago, I started to get bothered more by wood dust (mostly from turning work) and looked into getting a full-face mask.
I tried out all the offerings including the Trend and 3M Adflo. By far the best, by MILES, was the 3M Adflo system, which is what I ended up buying. It was $950 when I got it - sounds like it's come down a little in price since.

I use the mask whenever I'm doing any work with walnut or exotic hardwoods. It's very easy to put on/get off, and it really does a wonderful job of keeping out ALL the dust. Visibilty through the mask is excellent. Apart from the sound of the air flowing (like a quiet breeze) and a small amount of whine from the waist-mounted fan/filter/battery pack, it's very quiet. After just a few minutes you forget you're wearing it. The air feed tube comes up the center of your back to the top of the mask, so nothing gets in the way of your arms or hands. It's very lightweight also (not like the Trend mask!) and isn't in the slightest bit onerous to wear. The batteries seem to last all day - they're rechargable and seem to hold their charge for ages when the mask isn't in use.

If you value your lungs and you make a lot of wood dust, then you owe it to yourself to spend the bucks and get the best your money can buy. I have never regretted spending the money on it at all, in fact, every time I use it, I think to myself "This is probably one of the best value for money tools I've ever bought".

HTH,
Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

The newer version of the Airshield Pro is not quite available in the US. It should be here in the next few weeks.
I have one on order. It is supposed to be lighter and not as bulky as the old version.
I will let you know when I receive it

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Thanks Dave, that's exactly what I am thinking. I'll order one tomorrow and be ready to finish the next batch of guitars when it arrives.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.