Welding in a garage

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So yeah, I'm 12 years old and started mig welding a few days ago. My mom won't let me weld anymore because she is scared I have poor ventilation even though the garage door and side door is completely open. She has been reading some crap but it's all about flux shielded processes and that is a lot smokier so now she won't let me weld. ****. Anyone have anything I could say to her to convince her that it is not as bad as it seems? It is my only hope!
Reply:Weld out side, unless its tig. That is what I do.Welding FCAW in a confined space not as bad as it seems, its worse than you could possibly imagine.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:If you’re running self shielded flux core wire. Set up a fan behind you to blow the smoke out the garage door.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:tell her to watch this...if a 7 year old can why not a 12 year old
Reply:and some of us even do it in our houses...kitchen usually
Reply:You could get a 3M half face respirator (7500 series) and some 2297 filters. About $30.If your welding inside or outside even its usually a good idea to setup a fan with flux core or stick.  If I read your post right, you are using MIG though, so you want to be careful not to blow away your shielding gas.Sent from my S4 using Tapatalk1988 Big 50 Diesel CC/CV1982 Weldanpower 225/2101968 SAE 300 motor generatorMaxstar 200SD2015 AHP 200x"The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
Reply:Agree on the respirator.  Depending on prevailing winds or the lack thereof, a shop with front and side doors open can still hold in plenty of smoke.  So your Mom is right.  The 7500 series comes in three sizes, so you can get one that actually seals to your face.  Then just get the pancake 2091, 2097, 2297, etc filters that will fit the respirator and go to town.  Ebay used to be where to stock up on the respirator and filters for the least $$$, although I haven't bought in about a year now since I have such a stockpile here.
Reply:Keith, good for you that you want to weld.  BUT, it can be really dangerous if you don't know what your doing. Your eyes, lungs and skin can be hurt real bad.  Just for one example, don't weld on galvanized metal - really bad on the lungs.  Lots of stuff to know about.  Is there an old dude in your neighborhood you can ask questions?  Or ?  Post some pics of what your welding.
Reply:She's right you shouldn't breath that stuff. You can probably compromise with your mom though...here's what I do when I weld in the garage:1. Garage door wide open for anything except MIG (with gas, not self shielded) or TIG. For those I open it a few inches only2. I always weld right at the garage door. Not deep back in the garage.3. When the garage door is wide open, I have a cheapo pedestal fan on behind me, blowing the smoke and fumes out of the garage4. For stick and flux core, I tend to wear a respirator (3M 7500 with the 2297 pancake filters) Fits under my hood pretty well. I am not super religious about the respirator, but I probably should be. I tend to wear it more often when welding with 7018 rods.By the way you get more flies with honey than vinegar as the old saying goes. If you fight mom, you will most likely lose. If you go to her with a reasonable compromise, I think you have a much better chance of her giving in. The respirator is a $25 item and the fan is about the same.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I agree that taking care of your eyes, ears and lungs is very important. I have partial hearing loss for over 25 years ago running saws nonstop just out of high school back when hearing protection wasn't a big thing. If I had to go back and slap myself to make a change in my life, that would rank up in my top 3. Today I keep multiple sets of hearing muffs on the truck and a good sized box of cheap foam plugs for others who may want them. Same goes with quality dust masks and safety glasses. The one on the truck aren't for me, they are for others who may need them.It's critical you wear eye and ear protection doing this stuff ALL the time. A respirator is another important safety item to get in the habit of using, not only when welding, but also cutting and grinding. One thing you may have to look at is if the respirator fits you right. They make these in Small, Medium and Large sizes. Most will fit in a Medium or Large as an adult, but depending on where you are in your growth cycle, you may need to find a Small to fit you well. It depends a lot on your face size and shape, not how big you are. Many places don't stock respirators in Small due to the limited number of people who fit them. If nothing else get a Medium as you'll probably grow into it fairly quickly..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I'm doing mig and have a 356 cu/ft cylinder, so I must be inside, is there a way to ventilate the area?
Reply:Welcome, PLEASE post some pics so we can intelligent see what it looks like. We'll help you play SAFE !
Reply:That would make sense to use a fan, which is what I may do.
Reply:I have one with the right filters but she is also concerned with fumes getting into the furnace and traveling through the house, not just my exposure. I leave the side door and garage door open and pull out all of my gear from a corner when I weld. Personally I think that itself is enough ventilation.
Reply:Yeah, I'm not welding anything coated. Just some mild steel, but I have been watching out for that.
Reply:Ok, good advice. Yeah, I weld right at the garage door basically, and sometimes there is a light breeze. However, I have no fans. I will get some. I have a respirator but only use it if I weld painted stuff then I get right on out of there, but that is not often. I will post some pics.
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Reply:Even running Mig, you can set a fan behind you. Let your body block the wind from the fan so it won’t blow your gas coverage away.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by Keith Merrell....I have a respirator but only use it if I weld painted stuff....
Reply:Another big concern for welding in a garage iS Fire .
Reply:You're in California ?Go outside, I do.
Reply:I tig weld out side running 12cfm of argon so don't worry about gas coverage, if its windy I will turn it up to 20.Everything you do or do not do now will catch up to you later on.The solution to pollution is dilution.Last edited by mad welder 4; 05-30-2016 at 09:17 PM.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder