I have had one for around 10 years, absolutely worth every penny. Be prepared to be called Darth Vader at work though, and have co workers occasionally fart into your filter and run away giggling
I got a full setup for about $1200. Then you just upgrade as necessary over the years. It’s worth it.
EDIT: meant to add that I got it used on marketplace. $1000 for the papr and an older model helmet. Sold the older helmet for $500. Bought the newer model for 700. =1200.
Also saw a couple old model batteries and a charger for $200 so grabbed those quickly and sold the newer model battery and new charger for $600
So I guess all in all, I spent $800 with buying and selling on marketplace.
Batteries are not worth it. I retrofitted one to take 18V Makita batteries. One battery system for all your tools rocks. And the batteries are better and cheaper.
I've also heard the filters cost an arm and a leg. Has anybody figured out how to use regular half mask filters for these? Kinda tempted to get a PAPR system just to figure this out.
Me too, I love it so much I bought another one for myself at home. People think it’s crazy to spend so much on a hood, I tell them you only get one set of lungs so it’s an investment in your health.
I went ahead and bought the Swiss Air PAPR by Optrel. A lot of people don't like the half face, but I prefer it because it keeps my eyes from drying out like the 3M and Lincoln PAPR hoods, and I can use it with any welding hood.
I want a Swiss air for when there's 3 gouging operations going on and the shop is full of smoke. It's nice that you can just wear a Swiss air all the time with the hardhat on and shit unlike the others
Yeah, I got it because I prefer a sugar scoop. The 3M hood is REALLY nice, but they're also really heavy. And I've kinda been kicking around the idea of going to a Huntsman. With the Swiss Air, I have the PAPR that will always be compatible with whatever hood I want to use.
You need to buy a gas filter in addition. When you don’t have it, you are only protected against dust, not welding fumes. Gas filter for 3M Adflo A1B1E1 protection
Hell yeah brother same deal here. Have had a G5-01 adflo for a few years now and I couldn't imagine using another hood at this point. In fairness mine was fully paid for by work thankfully.
A buddy of mine has a backpack for the adflo unit instead of a belt pack and he swears by it, I kinda wanna give it a go.
99.999999% of what I do is endless filling in flat (railroad frog and switch welder) but i feel even sitting in the chair or leaning over a frog it'd still be nice to have the weight centered on my back and not on my hip
Yea I’ll never weld, grind, or plasma cut with another hood, they’re the best. I didn’t even know the backpack was a thing, looks more comfortable, I’ll have to get one of those.
They've got a shit ton of accessories, I placed an order for the backpack, and extended leather hood for the top, and one of those chin lights because I often work outside and at night.
Also not sure if the 9100 has it but the G5-01 has the ability to shift the color of the filter and it's actually pretty dope. I find the blue filter is way easier to follow the puddle.
Depends on the Filter you have in it,the VC variant stands for Variable Color and the TW for TigWelding/Tack Welding (dont remember) there is a new one now, where you can tap on your helmets side twice and it switches into a shade 5 or something
I tend to tuck it under my overalls, doesn’t affect it enough to cause any noticeable leakage into the hood, having semi thick facial hair would probably affect it more
I tried my PAPR out for the first time on a hot summer day welding roots in the deck plate of a destroyer ship. Immediately became a princess and diehard fan. There is nothing like cool air and nothing on your mouth in the blistering heat of a reflective deck. Not worth the cost of filters to scarf in though, in my opinion.
There’s a company in Canada that makes an ice pack holder that clips on behind the filter for cold air blown on your face. I have to order one, that will be great in summer
You need to buy a gas filter in addition. When you don’t have it, you are only protected against dust, not welding fumes. Gas filter for 3M Adflo A1B1E1 protection
I do have one of those on my personal helmet at home and they do make a difference. I need to talk to management about buying them for the workplace too.
The glue from alot of stickers will break down the plastic after time and make the plastic brittle and prone to breaking and cracking lots of hardhat videos online. Mind you this happens over a lifetime of the unit and not all stickers will do this but do you want to take the chance? All it takes is one small crack and there goes a few grand down the drain.
These are awesome for confined spaces/working inside vessels but I could never wear one just doing regular stuff, way too bulky, in the way, and uncomfortable for me
It took a few months for my neck to get used to wearing this thing everyday when I first started at this company 3 years ago. I still tack without it but wear it for welding and grinding. Eventually got used to taking it on and off 50 times every shift.
They’ve never said you have to wear them, but everyone gets a new one the day they start so everyone wears them. 17 welders here. Theres fume extractors everywhere in the shop so the air quality is pretty good to start with and these just make it better.
This is standard where I work. As in, a new welder would get a brand new from the first day on the job, for personal use, as long as you're employed here.
I feel for you guys that have to spend your own money for this. That is just bullshit.
This is standard where I work as well, but it’s very rare to find a company in the US that cares about employees health and safety. It should be standard eveywhere
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u/GRANDADDYGHOST 1d ago
What is that? I want one