Im new to welding and just want to see if people are using respirators. If so what type of welding and what type of material are you welding on thanks.

 

yes I used to wear one when I welded smaw fcaw or dual shield. It can get pretty nasty sometimes. I reallyl should just buy a hood with a built in respirator someday.

 

i dont weld for a living just messing around with cars, trailers and stuff around the house. I just stick and tig Al,SS,MS but i was wondering even if playing around it would be worth a look into getting one

 

Like a full respirator equipped hood? I don't think so. They cost over a grand last time I looked. You can get the little paper/cloth maks with charcoal inserts for about 7 bucks a pop. Perfect for welding around the house.

 

First get proper air flow/extrusion of the fumes before you worry about respirators, that is if you are referring to TIG. A little air movement can push the fumes out of your breathing area without interferring with the shielding gas. Stainless might be one of the cleanest metals to weld but chromium/manganese/nickel are things you don't want to be exposed to for long periods of time as they can have health risks such as parkinsons with manganese.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LSEGHATCH &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">First get proper air flow/extrusion of the fumes before you worry about respirators, that is if you are referring to TIG. A little air movement can push the fumes out of your breathing area without interferring with the shielding gas. Stainless might be one of the cleanest metals to weld but chromium/manganese/nickel are things you don't want to be exposed to for long periods of time as they can have health risks such as parkinsons with manganese.</TD></TR></TABLE>

what do you use for airflow/extrusion? a fan?

 

Yeah just get a small desk fan or any fan would work, set to low and place it accordingly so you have a very small breeze. Also helps if you have to weld outside in a garage in the summer, can cool you down a little.

 

If you are working in that shop for any amount of time, the cancer-causing agents are still airborn.
Use a respirator with activated charcoal, and silicon mask. They are very comfy, and will add years to your life.
TIG is so misconceived because it's not loud, or overly smokey. The problem is your proximity, and the fact that 90% of the time you are positioned over the plume of smoke,etc.
Don't take it lightly, get a good respirator, and be sure to wear it when grinding or using the belt sander.

 

Oh boy...I never wear anything grinding, sanding, welding. I wish there was something compact and non-infringing to wear.

 

Just find the disposable welding fumes masks. They are light, cheap, and work great.

 

yea, just dont wear a respirator if you have bad asthma. It makes it harder to breath, but I alaways use at least the cheap disposable ones.

 

where do you get the disposable ones at

 

I'm not really sure lol. We have them at my work place and that is the only place I use them. Check your local welding supply store and then hardware store next.

 

anyplace that sells paint should have them. even auto parts stores.

 

Yeah but those might just be for standar paint fumes while the welding masks are made specificly for welding fumes.

 

My dad just got some with the charcoal inserts from some paint place. Can't remember the name. They sold auto paint.

 

you can buy welding masks here both disposable and non-disposable, i got my dynasty from these guys... they ship fast and free

http://store.cyberweld.com/brpr.html