3M Rugged Comfort Quick Latch Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator 6503QL, Gases, Vapors, Dust, Large

Features:
  • Easy on and Off: Quick Latch Design Offers an Easy, One Hand Touch Drop Down Mechanism for Putting the Facepiece on and Off While Moving in and Out of Contaminated Areas
  • Comfortable: Adjustable Head Harness Assembly Promotes a Comfortable Fit With Three Size Adjustable Head Cradle; Long Lasting Polyester/Spandex Straps
  • Cool Comfort: Proprietary 3M Cool Flow Valve Is Designed for Easy Exhalation to Help Keep the Wearer More Comfortable
  • Durable: Resilient Silicone Face Seal Provides Comfort, Durability, and Stability With a Soft but Firm Seal; Keeps Its Shape in High Heat Environments
  • Low Profile: Half Facepiece Design Offers a Wide Field of View and Compatibility With Welding and Grinding Shields
  • Reduces Fogging: Exhalation Valve Cover Directs Exhaled Breath and Moisture Downward to Reduce Fogging of Face Shields
  • Compatible: Bayonet connection is compatible with all 3M bayonet style cartridges and filters
  • For industrial/occupational use only; Not for consumer sale or use
The BEST Mask that I have ever used for Filtering the air.

I bought these masks for filtering air in an old house full of mold and mildew while my son and I cleaned the rooms. These are THE BEST Masks that I have ever used for filtering the air. Unlike with other masks that inhibit your airflow, with these masks you can breath normally, even when you are engaging in strenuous activity! And I could smell none of the mold or mildew through the filters. I also got one for my son who raved about his as well. Neither of us had any allergy or asthma attacks because we wore these masks - other masks that did not fit as well or provide as much unobstructed airflow did not protect us from allergens. I told him that I think he can probably mow the lawn now without fear of an attack - he laughed, and agreed. I only wish that we had gotten these in the spring rather than just before fall. I purchased these 3M filters for use with the mask; they lock into place and stay on well; https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009XYN7O/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_48

Wear a respirator, live longer

3m makes so many respirators/filters...in can be kinda overwhelming. After reading a lot of Amazon reviews I chose this respirator based on the quick release, size options , various filter types available and cost. I use this unit for welding and I am very happy with it. Along with the 3m 2297 filters. The quick release allows you to remove the mask enough to talk or drink some water without having to remove the entire headgear. Plus as a welder it is nice that the air you exhale goes out the lower portion of the respirator. I also wear a pair of safety glasses along with the respirator under the welding helmet...no issues. Easy to put on and adjust, very good seal all around, and the price is reasonable. The respirator can also be used in other situations where dust, smoke etc may be a problem. Just keep in mind that a respirator doesn't provide oxygen for breathing. What it will do is prevent a lot of the dangerous particles from entering your lungs. Of which many are too small to see with the eye. Don't gamble with your health. Wear a mask or respirator, use safety glasses....you will be glad you did.

Comfortable enough. The latch is VERY handy. I wear this for many hours a week.

I love the latch feature on this. I had different brand, no latch, and had a terrible time any time I needed to talk to someone. I'm not working around anything toxic, just LOTS of dust from house cleans outs etc. and I have allergies. So they let me wear this. Honestly, I'm going to wear it for painting and wood shop projects too. I'm a lady, 5' 10" with kind of a long face, high nose bridge. I initially got a M but exchanged it for a L and am so glad I did. My previous mask was a M, and I think a L would have been better. Ladies, don't just get something small because you're a lady. Bottom of my chin to above the bridge of my nose is about 5.25" if that helps anyone. My mask wasn't comfortable until I got the top of mask about the bridge of my nose. I also have high cheekbones. I found the elastic rubbed a bit across my cheekbones. Never quite figured out how to get around that. The face oils and dust get stuck to the elastic and then rub against my face, so I'm getting a little acne I didn't have. I wipe the mask out at least once a day with wet wipes to help keep my face from breaking out too much, but there's only so much I can do about that too. I'm wearing this nearly 8 hours a day. There is some texture to the material against your face and I've found I like that better than the smooth material. It sticks less. I'm using the 3M 6001 Organic Vapor Cartridge and bought extra 3M 5P71PB1 6000 Series Particulate Filter P95 with this. I haven't replaced the filters to see how well it works, but it looks like everything should fit right. I find it easy enough to breath most days. But if I have a cold or it's getting at all hot, it can get hot and sticky and tougher to breath. Changing filters is supposed to help, but I know sometimes it's just me. I haven't found a mask where that isn't the case. I have found when I'm working in the cold, the respirator helps keep me a little warmer and the air a little wetter. Grosser fact, sometimes condensation drips out the front of the mask. Again, not sure that can be avoided. The last mask did the same. I really like the crown of the head strap. It's fairly comfortable. This one doesn't get caught on my hair the way the last one did. Also having the drop down latch means I can work my hair around this and not have to take it out if I need to take the mask half off. I do have to keep the opening in mind when pulling my hair up. Usually I can make a bun high enough that sits in that opening. Up top or middle of the back of the head doesn't work so well. I would consider getting a bag or case for this if I didn't have a locker to keep this, my extra filters, and my wipes. Hope this helps!

A respirator that fits !

I was worried that I didn't order the right size. I read at the 3M site to size it by the hat size you wear. Throughout my life people have always said I where a big hat. I'm pretty smart so I wasn't sure what they meant. So I ordered the LARGE. Boy was I glad, it fits better than ever. My old one with the screw on filters really didn't get a good seal so I had to wear it on tight. This one is incredibly soft and comfortable. And its light weight. It is big on my face but I guess that is the way it was suppose to be all along. The seal is really good. I also bought the 603 adapter so I can use the mask just for particle filtering instead of for fumes. The replacement paper filters are very affordable and this rig is so much better than the medical face mask.

good seal, reasonable price

I live in Oregon in an area where the wildfire smoke has deemed the air "very unhealthy" and felt the need to take remedial measures. I learned that the regular dust mask (even a NIOSH N95) does not filter out the micro-particles that cause the most serious lung damage. This has a nice and tight rubber seal around my nose and mouth and is regularly comfortable. Does easily come on and off with little plastic bra-like strap that does take a couple minutes getting used to like maybe less time if you're a woman. I am a 6 foot tall with what I think is an average sized head and the large size fit well around my head This takes the pink 3M 2097 (and many other 3M filters) that have the NIOSH 100 rating that will keep the microparticles from the smoke and haze from getting into your lungs deep into your alveoli and wreaking unknown havoc. Those were sold separately.

One simple feature changes everything.

This was a key upgrade for my safety gear in the shop. I had been using an older model 3M dust mask and was constantly adjusting it when someone would walk into the shop to have a conversation. The quick release feature drops the mask down around your neck without having to undo or adjust the straps. I have found this especially useful when leaving the shop for a trip across the yard. When out in the fresh air I can release the mask without taking it off and then quickly re-engage it as I walk down the stairs into the shop. That new feature aside I think these masks are critical in wood shops to help keep your lungs free of small particulate. Even if you dont spring for this newer model at least pick up something that is adjustable and makes a good seal around your nose and mouth. The small paper filters are not for anyone spending time in the shop.One additional benefit to this type of mask for anyone wearing glasses is that your exhale isnt redirected onto the inside of your glasses - mine have never fogged when wearing this type of mask.

My First Respirator and I am Happy with it.

I like it. The airflow is good. Inhaling and exhaling are easy. Exhaled air moves down and away from the mask. This prevents my glasses from fogging. The straps are comfortable. The extra lengths of strap after the adjustments are not a problem because they don't poke my neck, face, or cheeks. The release latch works as it should. Once a wearer's strap adjustments have been made, the release latch can be used to remove the respirator. This makes it so the straps only need to be adjusted once. The mask will bulge a little when exhaling and contract a little when inhaling. I only notice this if I try. Much like breathing, I only notice it happening when I think about it.

Cheap and effective.

SAVE YOUR LUNGS!!! Well, first things first, they work! They work really well in fact, I wore this around a friend who was smoking a cigarette just for a quick test, and could just barely smell it when he blew the smoke in my face. Let's not kid ourselves it's never going to be truly comfortable wearing a big bulky breathing apparatus attached to your face, frankly they just kind of suck to wear, especially while working, but as long as they're adjusted properly they're not super uncomfortable either, unless you're sweating a lot or wearing it for several hours at a time. All in all, if you're on a budget and need some breathing protection these are hard to beat, just don't repeat my mistake. Make sure to order some cartridges for the mask. (I didn't realize it didn't come with them, and ended up overpaying for some locally because I needed them in a hurry. )

This is for safety, be smart

I bought this for use in my home wood shop but I use an identical mask at work that I am fit tested for annually to protect against heavy metals. I would NOT recommend this for the average DIYer because it is a safety device that requires correct training and fitting to keep the user safe. It is a great deal more comfortable than the paper masks and combined with the correct filter for the task provide a higher standard of protection. It also has a very convenient lever to open the mask so you can quickly open and speak clearly when in a safe location. Safety cautions are that the mask makes a tight seal to the face meaning no full beard, though a well trimmed goatee is OK. Users should have good lung capacity, ie not for people with COPD or other conditions that diminish breathing. This doesn’t come with filters; research the correct filter for your application. Fit testing is done with an acrid smoke that either gets through and makes you react bad or you can’t sense at all if it right- if it doesn’t fit you cannot rely on it for protection.

Perfect for bodywork. Far superior to the 6300.

3M offers a ton of products, and finding the right mask and filter combination is very overwhelming when it comes to them. I started out with the 6300 series and the 2097 filter per their recommendation for body work. The 6300 is a flimsy mask that lasts a bit but has a tough time keeping up with a tight seal since the straps thin out and get gummy as the elastic starts to fail. I wanted something that lasted more like a paint mask with a tight snug seal and heavy duty straps to go along with it. I picked this one up to upgrade and it’s absolutely perfect for bodywork. It’s compatible with any of the stick and twist 3M filters (bayonet) and is definitely more rugged and durable. The low profile allows for use under a welding shield, and the quick latch allows you to let it hang down without taking off a hat or welding helmet. It’s perfect for bodywork, and probably anything else you can apply a filter to for a specific task. Never going back to s cheaper mask after using this.

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