When I am arc welding my floor pan in, can I wear my paint mask (double screw on canister type) to protect myself from the welding fumes and toxins. I will have a box fan dispersing the smoke immediately anyway ?

-John

You might want to be real careful arcing the floor pans. You don't want to burn through. Sorry I can't answer you're question... we never really worried about it in these parts.

I doubt a PAINT mask would fit under any welding helmet, plus why not get something that is APPROVED for welding.

3M sells about 3 masks that are welding approved. I cant recall the number I wear but if you look in the very top post the "HEALTH" post I KNOW its in there somewhere. The mask I wear has replacable filters that are kinda pink in color and carry the number of P100. In fact I just bought some the 3m number for the filters is R-2091, and can be used with 5000, 6000 and 7000 series masks...Eric

Originally posted by sevt_chevelle:
I doubt a PAINT mask would fit under any welding helmet, plus why not get something that is APPROVED for welding.

Eric Thanx Eric. I am using a handheld type "cheapie" mask at this point, so wearing a paint mask is no problem. I don't have alot of welding to do so I do not want to spend big bucks on fancy welding masks to just hang in the garage. I will look for those 3M filters you mentioned for my screw on canister mask. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Originally posted by Texas70:
I am using a handheld type "cheapie" mask Don't give yourself a sunburn ;)

Originally posted by TimC:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Texas70:
I am using a handheld type "cheapie" mask Don't give yourself a sunburn ;) </font>[/QUOTE]Too late..... I'm just wondering now how to get rid of the pale rectangle I have on my face now !!!! graemlins/clonk.gif

You need to look at the type of cartridge on your mask. The type of mask you are mentioned sounds like one rated for organic vapors. Most likely with either a black (OV only) or yellow (OV and acid gas)label.

You need to get some HEPA cannisters for your mask or get a new half face hepa mask to be protected against fumes, even then, proper ventillation is a must.

The mask i wear carries a 3M part number of 07182 and is APPROVED for welding. This is the mask that the 3m recommened to ME. The mask costs about 15 bucks.

Sorry but you need to ditch that handheld mask, you'll get MUCH better welds when you use both hands.

DONT USE THE SAME MASK FOR DIFFERENT TASKS. Have a own seperate mask for each application. I have one for sanding, welding, and paint. Each one is a totally new mask that is used for only that task...Eric

Priceless info here guys.....I appreciate it. Where would be the best place to find these masks and filters ? Also, using one hand for the mask might explain why my welds suck so bad !! Easier to steady the stick with both hands I'm sure. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Half face masks are available at Home Depot which are approved for welding. The main thing is to find a mask that fits YOUR face properly. Any air leaking around your mask is unfiltered and potentially dangerous. To test the fit, position the mask against your face and inhale while sealing off the cartridge inlets. (Depending on the cartridge design, you may not be able to test your mask with the cannisters attached) It should seal tightly with NO leakage around the edges. If you have a beard, sorry you will NOT get a good seal!

Once you find a brand of mask that fits you correctly stick with it, but remember over the years your face may change. What fits you as a 20 yr old may not fit after adding 15 yrs and 10 or 20 pounds (or subtracting a few teeth).

I am required in my job to fit test annually on 1/2 and full face respirators and also with various supplied air respiratory equipment.
I wear a large 1/2 face 3M mask, but require a extra large mask in full face. If I use a Scott full face I require a size large for best fit.
So just because you find a mask in one style you like don't assume you will use the same size with a different style

Thanks Rod. I have a yellow half face respirator in the garage now that I wear for painting and sanding. I think it's a 3M brand and fits well. I guess what I've learned in this post is that I need to get the proper filters to install into the 2 canisters which I would assume is available at Home Depot or Ace Hardware. graemlins/hurray.gif
Thanks again guys ! Safety first graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I get my masks from Arnold Motor Supply which is an Iowa Minn store only so no luck for ya on that one. O'Rielys, car quest, auto nation etc all should have access to 3M products

Any place that sells 3M products should have a mask and or get them. I would presonally stick with body shop supply stores and not Home Depot. Sorry but my other belief is if its NOT 3M I aint wearing it period. Am sure there are others that work just as good if not better but Ive yet to have any problems with 3M masks, I KNOW what to get and how it NEEDS TO BE USED PROPERLY

Update..... I stopped at Ace Hardware last night and did not see any 3M respirators/masks. They were a different manufacturer. They did have the weld-thru primer however. I will stop at O'reilley's or Autozone this evening to get the cartridge filters for welding the pan in tonight.
I used my die drinder with the red 3M abrasive pad to remove the POR-15 from the edge of the pan for welding. I then sprayed the edge with weld-thru primer. I wore my mask the entire time and never smelled the primer fumes until I was finished and removed my mask. They really work.

Since I cannot get a definitive answer to the "best seam sealer" question, I bought a tube of DAP Lap and Gutter caulk for sealing metal to metal (flashing, gutters etc.....). If you guys have any other suggestions, please let me know. This pan is going in tonight. Also, I will be welding it in with a Clark Arc welder w/ 5/64 welding rod set on about 60 amp. Any welding tips will be appreciated. Thanks again graemlins/waving.gif graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I thought I had seen 3m half face masks at my local HD, maybe not I don't know. I don't get my masks there either. That was not my point. The point is, 3m, Scot, or whatever is not as important as proper fit. A $300 dollar mask that leaks is useless. Find the type and style that fits you best. Get the correct NIOSH approved filter for the task and USE it religiously. I do agree that some of the better (more expensive) masks which offer more comfort or better visibility are worth the cost, but the reason they are better has more to do with the fact you can stand to use them longer than the actual filtration capabilities.
Incidentaly, both the half face welding mask and my full face organic vapor mask are 3m, but the reason I chose them is because they fit me best.
I have coworkers who test better in a Scot full face.

The disposable 3M masks which are commonly available work well but are hard to do a negative pressure leak test on (see my post above).