stephenmarshall
Mar 22nd, 04, 8:49 PM
I have been reading a lot of posts about welding and how harmful the fumes are.
First of all I am a heavy equipment welder and I weld in all forms of welding MIG, TIG, and ARC and I spend a lot of time in space where the is very little air flow
Whats the point right
First of all wearing a mask is very important (I use several different models but alway 3M) and I think they are suitable for automotive welding in a WELL VENTILATED shop or outdoors but something I haven't seen mentioned is using a fresh air blower/vacum . Like anything they range from cheap to very expensive.
It is basiclly a high powered vacum with an opening for a pick up hose(that you cut to lenth, I also use a magnet on the end so I can stick it right over my welds) and a dishcharge (that is also cut to lenth, I run mine right out the shop through the exhuast hole in the garage door) so you can route the fumes away from you and it being a vacum it has no affect on the inert gas coming out of the welding tip.
I really don't believe that that little paper mask will filter out as much particles if you are stuffed into a trunk. With no air flow.
They also make an forced air system like some of the painters use in a booth that fits under a welders helmet. but I don't use one and I don't think it is needed for body work.
Agian, This vacum is used for continuous welding and I don't see a need for it in a well ventilated shop but if you are welding and when you stop and look up and your shop is in a complete haze than I would recomend getting one or at least put a fan in your shop plus I also recommend using a vacum on anything that you may use weld through primer on due to the fumes are far the worst than all others.
First of all I am a heavy equipment welder and I weld in all forms of welding MIG, TIG, and ARC and I spend a lot of time in space where the is very little air flow
Whats the point right
First of all wearing a mask is very important (I use several different models but alway 3M) and I think they are suitable for automotive welding in a WELL VENTILATED shop or outdoors but something I haven't seen mentioned is using a fresh air blower/vacum . Like anything they range from cheap to very expensive.
It is basiclly a high powered vacum with an opening for a pick up hose(that you cut to lenth, I also use a magnet on the end so I can stick it right over my welds) and a dishcharge (that is also cut to lenth, I run mine right out the shop through the exhuast hole in the garage door) so you can route the fumes away from you and it being a vacum it has no affect on the inert gas coming out of the welding tip.
I really don't believe that that little paper mask will filter out as much particles if you are stuffed into a trunk. With no air flow.
They also make an forced air system like some of the painters use in a booth that fits under a welders helmet. but I don't use one and I don't think it is needed for body work.
Agian, This vacum is used for continuous welding and I don't see a need for it in a well ventilated shop but if you are welding and when you stop and look up and your shop is in a complete haze than I would recomend getting one or at least put a fan in your shop plus I also recommend using a vacum on anything that you may use weld through primer on due to the fumes are far the worst than all others.