Does anyone know if the Trend AS Pro filters to the P100 standard? I have had health problems in the past including a pulmonary embolism so I am being very careful with dust and my lungs. I do have a good DC set up and capture most at the source (onedia cyclone), as well as a PM Air Cleaner. I wear a dual canister dust mask with P100 cartridges, but they are always getting in the way of my glasses, and can be difficult to breathe with.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Joe

Last check Joe, Trend wasn't approved by the OSHA/NIOSH...yet!!! The Triton is, but is bulky. Although a PE won't result from the inhalation of particulate matter...I applaud your effort...you sir, are a good example!!

Joe - according to the Trend (http://www.trend-uk.com/en/US/product/U*AIR_PRO/2/3/airpro_face_shield_usa_120v_.html) website - the Pro model, as Jim has stated, is not NIOSH approved. If you are seriously worried about particulate protection, then check out the 3M line of respirators. I use the 3M Airstream (http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/3M-Airstream-Powered-Air-Purifying-Respirator-PAPR-System.html#) and love it! It is expensive but it works and also offers some impact protection.

Does anyone know if the Trend AS Pro filters to the P100 standard?

You might take a look at the resp-o-rator. It's only $50 with two Hepa filters. A unique design and worth evaluating.

http://www.resp-o-rator.com/ror/index.htm

Here's a youtube video explaining it:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR9BAB8k9dI

My understanding is that the Trend Airshield Pro does meet the BS EN 12941:1999 standard. Unfortunately, you have to purchase the standard to read it, so it is difficult to draw an informed conclusion as to how good the protection is. Since this made in Great Britain (or at least designed and tested in Great Britain), it is tested to their standards and not tested to the US standards.

The Trend will not protect against vapors or fumes; it is only designed to protect against solid particulates.

Now to compare, the Trend Airshield Pro has TH2P rated filters - the same as the 3M Airstream. These filters are what provide the particulate protection. Based on the filter rating, the new Trend Airshield Pro has the same particulate protection as the 3M Airstream. I purchased the new Trend Airshield Pro a few months ago. It has a good sealing system around your face making a good positive pressured chamber around your face. It seems to work as well as my cartridge resporator, but much more comfortable.

Last I checked the Airshield PRO had better filtration than the Triton, as well as better CFM, and a non-distorted view. That's verifiable data.

That being said, subjectively, I don't find theAirshield PRO as comfortable as my old Triton was.

Joe - according to the Trend (http://www.trend-uk.com/en/US/product/U*AIR_PRO/2/3/airpro_face_shield_usa_120v_.html) website - the Pro model, as Jim has stated, is not NIOSH approved. If you are seriously worried about particulate protection, then check out the 3M line of respirators. I use the 3M Airstream (http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/3M-Airstream-Powered-Air-Purifying-Respirator-PAPR-System.html#) and love it! It is expensive but it works and also offers some impact protection.

Steve, if the Trend Pro model has the same filters as the 3m (as noted by Rich Aldrich), do you truly believe the 3m is worth 2.5x the price? Between my respirator (dual filter cans), no face shield, and bifocal safety glasses, i'ts getting to be a real pain to work on some of the larger bowls I've been spending time with (the glasses get fogged up, and I am constantly sprayed by wood chips in the face), so I am working on the wife for an early Xmas gift! I like the idea of integrated ear muffs as well if not too cumbersome.

Joe

Joe... all I can offer is my opinion on that and can honestly say that after using the Trend (the original model) for a number of years and then upgrading to the Airstream - the difference is night and day. I never did try out a Trend Pro - so have no idea of comfort or weight but the Airstream feels better balanced and gives you a lot more cfm than my Trend. I also like the idea of having a hardhat to protect my head - something the original Trend did not have but it appears the Pro model does offer some protection.

As far as the cost factor - no doubt about it - the 3M is expensive but it does have a track record of proven reliability. I made the leap to the 3M because I didn't want to upgrade again in a few years.... So far, I use the Airstream every time I turn and feel it was a smart move ... for me.

If you do not have a powered respirator or face protection... anything you get would be an improvement! Not an easy decision - so pick what will work best for you and your style of turning.

Ditto what Steve said. I have the 3M Airstream. I also wear glasses with bifocals and dust masks with or without cartridges always fog up my glasses. I have had several bronchial infections due to dust. As my doctor told me it is $800 for repirator is a lot cheaper than a lung. The grain elevator here in town uses them when unloading grain because of the dust and also uses them when they move grain. I haven't used the Trend Pro but did have the original Trend. The difference as was noted is night and day. Mine goes on when I enter the shop and comes off when I leave. Have not had a problem with discomfort. I also use a PSI air cleaner and DC.

I agree it is a tough decision but a important one.

Like Steve and Bernie I have the 3M Airstream. I have not used the Trend or Triton products but considered both. I've already forgotten about the cost. I purchased mine NIB from an seller on an auction site. Before using the unit I could feel the dust in my nose after turning. Now I leave the shop in the same condition as I entered.

Thanks for everyone for their comments and thoughts. This is obviously a very expensive and important decision. After a lot of research my wife got me the Airtrend pro. I had decided to give it a fair shake, then downloaded the manual last night. The following is directly from the manual, and has while I understand it is not NIOSH approved, the warning has really given me pause, and caused me to start rethinking:

Warning


The TREND AIRSHIELD PRO is not a RESPIRATOR nor a NIOSH approved device. Using the power visor against harmful substances may result in sickness or death. This filter will not protect your lungs. Misuse may result in sickness or death. For proper use, see supervisor or user instructions.

Use for:

Relief from the bothersome effects of the common nuisance dusts. Provides limited eye and face protection. Users must evaluate their specific eye and face hazards and choose appropriate protective equipment such as safety glasses.

Do not use for:

Protection from harmful dusts, mists, fumes or vapours. Professional/occupational applications where NIOSH approved respiratory protection is required.


I have an email in to Trend before I send the pro back. To both her and I, it looked like it fit the bill, but I can't afford to take any chances. If they can't address the concerns, we'll be going the 3m airstream route.

I wanted to make special mention of Alan Z. He spent about an hour on the phone with me discussing merits of both (since he has both), and it was just an absolute pleasure to speak with him. Thanks Alan for your time!

Joe

Joe,

Your thinking may vary from mine, but I will give you my take. First, I almost died in 2006 from double pneumonia and associated issues it brought to my heart. I have gotten the Trend Airshield Pro, and it has done a great job for me. I also use an overhead air cleaner when sanding and try to collect the fine dust with a dust collector hook up behind my lathe.

I have been prone to sinus infections over the last twenty years also.............since getting the Trend, I have not had one at all. I used to blow dust out of my nose after turning..........now I do not when I use the Trend Pro. I regularly reverse blow the filters by putting an air hose nozzle at the openings where the air washes your face when the unit is on. I also take them out on occasion and with light air pressure blow them out from the inside of the filter............I mainly do this to extend their life, but it also helps keep the accumulation of of buildup down.

My pulmonologist has given me a clean bill of health..............I am very conscientious of my lungs now...........I think the filters are made from the same stuff the Airstream are made from...............the Pro unit is much better than the original Trend which had a small filter in the forehead area, from what I understand.

Just info for you to consider...........good luck!

Joe,

I enjoyed our phone call.

I put the Trend Airshield Pro and the 3m AirStream in much the same category... Particle filtration.

As I mentioned on the phone, for the really nasty stuff you would need something along the lines of the 3m BreatheEasy which has a wide array of canisters for various toxins, gasses, and volatile organic compounds. This is the kind of gear that first responders use, typically with butyl rubber hoods instead of helmets.

We use our BreatheEasy when doing things like casting resins, but the Trend or the AirStream works just fine for woodturning and general shop use.

I use a 3M non powered respirator (7500 series), glasses with bifocals and bionic face shield, and very seldom experience any fogging issues in my 60 degree basement. The respirator has different filters for organic solvents and dust, and is more comfortable than most due to it's flexible silicon mask. i'm sure the Airstream would be more comfortable, but if it's a cost thing, my setup offers great protection from dust and chips, though I'm less confident about the impact protection the Bionic Shield provides. It is a relief to wear when the chips are flying though, does a much better job than the glasses to keep stuff out of my face.

Dan

My personal opinion on something ..............it is my feeling that while Trend does provide a very useful respirator in the Pro model, that they use the disclaimer Joe referenced to avoid any legal liability..........by stating what they do, it is likely that they use it as legaleze to avoid claims against them should anyone use it in a manner it was not meant for..........such as VOC's...........

For dust like is produced in wood shop, this unit should work fine...........that is my opinion.......yours may vary!

I just got my Trend Pro and it works great. However I can tell you from having been in the machine tool industry that a large portion of the cost of a product is product liability insurance. We use to sell a little air over hydrolic press and about half of the $2500 cost was product liability insurance as there had been very heavy claims with that type of machine. 3M has tons of government and commercial contracts they have to have that insurance and ratings to meet contract requirements etc. I bet Trend does not have those types of contracts and caters to the consumer market more. Not saying the 3m is not better because it is probably of better construction but for most of us hobbies and semi-pro turners worried about particulate protection It is a leap forward compared to what most of us use which is nothing.

Alan

It goes back to the filter they are using for particulate - the filter meets the same standard THP2 as far as I can tell.

I can really smell DNA when I rough out a bowl and put it in the solution while still wearing the Trend Pro, but that is vapor, not particulate. Some pine and spruce I can smell also. I think it is the pitch that I smell as opposed to wood dust.

The only issue I have is with my dust collector running, I cant hear the beeping alarm when the battery gets low.

To me, both are good units. I just didnt have the cash for the 3M. Someday I probably will upgrade.

Joe, I did some testing on the Trend Pro and Trend Original. You can read about it here:http://www.woodturnersamerica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=116:power-air-purifying-respirators-paprs&catid=71:ppe&Itemid=90
But the bottom line is it's a particulate filter and does great, the filters are like 2 thick fiber socks. I've not looked at the 3M so can't speak for it, but 3M has a good name and was willing to do the testing to get the ratings. At my work for better filtration we use paper type filters, they just don't produce the airflow, so are not as comfortable, plus the mask is just awful to wear. I've done lots of sanding and find my nose is clear afterwards, while using the Trend, and it's comfortable to wear.
I also have my DC exhaust routed outside and often run it while sanding on the lathe, and with that set up, it's 100% filtration, if the dust gets in it.

Nice article, Josh. Good information!

Joe

Joe
Not to muddy the waters. But after reading all the post here and looking for more info for myself. I came across this product from 3M, (3m versaflo) system of components that you assemble to meet level of saftey the end user needs. Lungs, eye, ears, and face. Hope this is of some help to you. Tom P.S. After some additional read on the web, 3M Versaflo system that I like, was P/N TR 300-HIK. best price was little over $800.00. check out this link. http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/3m-versaflo-heavy-industry-papr-kit.html

Just a quick update - after emailing the company multiple times about my questions noted above, and not receiving a response, I am returning the Trend Pro and going with one of the 3m systems. I can't afford to take any chances.

Thanks for all the great thoughts and feedback.

Joe

Joe
Not to muddy the waters. But after reading all the post here and looking for more info for myself. I came across this product from 3M, (3m versaflo) system of components that you assemble to meet level of saftey the end user needs. Lungs, eye, ears, and face. Hope this is of some help to you. Tom P.S. After some additional read on the web, 3M Versaflo system that I like, was P/N TR 300-HIK. best price was little over $800.00. check out this link. http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/3m-versaflo-heavy-industry-papr-kit.html

By the way, this looks like a really great system - love the look, size and weight. Just not sure if I can come to grips with belt mounted and a hose for air vs the airstream!

Joe

Joe,

I've never tried to email Trend... though I have spoken to them on the phone several times, and got through to a real person right away each time. Trend customer support is, in my opinion, great.

However, as you know, I also rather like the 3M units.

Tomorrow I'll make some photos of the Lithium Ion battery that I've hooked up to my 3M Airstream. I'm very pleased with this setup, as the battery is lightweight (4 oz) making it easy to mount atop the helmet (so no cord to the waist).

Has anyone used the Resp-O-Rator that Roger was talking about? I bought the Trend Pro two years ago and while I like the cool air on my face, after a while my neck still gets sore from the weight on the top of my head. I was thinking about the resp-o-rator but haven't heard much here about it. I also use a dust collector when I turn and just installed a Jet fine particle air cleaner. My father died from emphysema and I certainly don't want to go that route.

Joe,

I've never tried to email Trend... though I have spoken to them on the phone several times, and got through to a real person right away each time. Trend customer support is, in my opinion, great.

However, as you know, I also rather like the 3M units.

Tomorrow I'll make some photos of the Lithium Ion battery that I've hooked up to my 3M Airstream. I'm very pleased with this setup, as the battery is lightweight (4 oz) making it easy to mount atop the helmet (so no cord to the waist).


Alan, that would be great!

Joe

Has anyone used the Resp-O-Rator that Roger was talking about? I bought the Trend Pro two years ago and while I like the cool air on my face, after a while my neck still gets sore from the weight on the top of my head. I was thinking about the resp-o-rator but haven't heard much here about it. I also use a dust collector when I turn and just installed a Jet fine particle air cleaner. My father died from emphysema and I certainly don't want to go that route.


I well respond to this because I have this unit. I bought it because I have been working on a little sail boat and it requires a lot of sanding on epoxy. Here is my experience with it. I feel it is a step up from a dust mask, but no where near the protection of the helmet types. It is not comfortable for me. The nose plug does not really plug my nose and it falls off sometimes. I've thought about getting the type that swimmers use to fix that. You have to breath through your mouth while wearing it, and after about 3 minutes of wearing it, I have slobber running down the front of me! Not a pretty site. This may just be me because I have not read where others are complaining about. I do still use it because some positions I get into to sand just do not allow for a big helmet on my head. I also have a Trend Pro and use it when ever possible.

Paul...I tip my hat to you!! That was an honest review from experience and we need more of that. I have called Trend (A Canadian company) twice and the phone is always answered and so are my questions. E-mail may end up in a spam folder...pick up the phone and ask questions! People need to remember what it's for and move on from there. I've had 2 turnings let loose in my face in the last few days...high speed and several sharp chunks. Always wear my Trend and only my wallet (and underwear) was damaged from having to replace the wood. If you aren't using something, well let's just use the word stupid and call it that.

Paul...I tip my hat to you!! That was an honest review from experience and we need more of that. I have called Trend (A Canadian company) twice and the phone is always answered and so are my questions. E-mail may end up in a spam folder...pick up the phone and ask questions! People need to remember what it's for and move on from there. I've had 2 turnings let loose in my face in the last few days...high speed and several sharp chunks. Always wear my Trend and only my wallet (and underwear) was damaged from having to replace the wood. If you aren't using something, well let's just use the word stupid and call it that.


Jim, I understand the phone call route, but I was looking for an official reasoning. Many times phones are answered by sales people or technicians who will give you their understanding. Trend chose to put that verbiage in their user manual (in writing) which is why I was looking for the official response (regardless of what it was).

Joe

Joe,

If you were to get a response via email, it would likely be from the same folk you would talk to on the phone. I cannot stress enough just how good Trend's phone support has been. Twice I had the headband break on the AirShield pro and twice they sent out upgraded replacement parts the same day, no charge, and no shipping charge. Parts arrive in a day or two... Can't ask for more than that. They are great folk to deal with.

I would not hold out for a 'legal' official response from someone who has never actually used the unit <s>

I am not trying to dissuade you from switching to the 3m unit, but let's face it... I have never see folk going from the AirShield Pro to the 3m because of performance problems with dust control.

I switched to the 3m units to have compatibility between single piece AirStream units and the BreatheEasy units that can take organic cartridges. I also like the flip up visor on the 3m helmets, but these are not dust performance issues.

Two questions on the AS Pro batteries:

1. I've seen tutorials on making a batter pack for the original AS, but has anyone done so for the AS Pro?
2. What is the connection like on the AS Pro battery? Is it a universal type plug that one could buy or is the configuration of the battery pack such that it is proprietary and could not be made with standard connectors?

thanks

@Jake, You will want to open the existing pack and replace the cells. Should be pretty easy (one of my packs came open on its own the other day). I haven't needed to do it to my packs yet, but I plan to do it when they don't hold a charge any more. It should be easier than for the packs on the original.

Joe
Not to muddy the waters. But after reading all the post here and looking for more info for myself. I came across this product from 3M, (3m versaflo) system of components that you assemble to meet level of saftey the end user needs. Lungs, eye, ears, and face. Hope this is of some help to you. Tom P.S. After some additional read on the web, 3M Versaflo system that I like, was P/N TR 300-HIK. best price was little over $800.00. check out this link. http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/3m-versaflo-heavy-industry-papr-kit.html

Looks like the price has gone up. it is $1350 now!

joe

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to take a minute and close the loop on this thread. Unfortunately, based on some of the responses, some of my comments were taken as an attack on the trend. They were definitely not meant that way. This was an important decision for me, and I shared the process honestly, and truly appreciated the many diverse posts!

Both units are excellent for particulate filtering. I would agree with some of the earlier posts that the disclaimers I saw were most likely related to liability prevention. I did get a chance to talk to 3m technical support about the HEPA vs TH2P filters (as well as some other questions). According to 3M, HEPA is considered equivalent to TH3P filtration, one notch above the TH2P, but very close.

Again, thanks to everyone that posted. Both units provide excellent particulate filtration, the filtration on the 3M is slightly better, and the airflow is approximately 50% greater, however this comes at 2.5x the price of an Airshield Pro. It truly comes down to a personal decision on cost versus the benefits and what is right for you.

Joe

Joe - very good summary. Thanks for the information.