TIG - Fumes or no fumes

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Question .. when you read about all the great benefits of using TIGthe one thats always listed is NO FUMES.   Then .. I read on the fillerrod .. and it has dangers listed associated with FUMES .. Now should I beconfused here ??  Also .. has anyone ever met someone that for whateverreason is " sensitive" to fumes ... even with proper ventilation and masks .. I would assume there is always a little ... and maximum exposure criteria, etcMy question on fumes with TIG assumes that all metal surfaces are clean andthey are not coated or painted.Are there welding helmets out there that have respirators built in?I have a sears respirator that uses 2 cartridges ... I believe its even supposed to filter out organic...Was thinking of using that with my helmet, but would have to modify the helmet to accomdate the filters sticking out ..Ideas? comments? Suggestions?
Reply:Whenever you weld, there are going to be fumes.  I think that what a lot of ppl mean to say is when you TIG weld, there is no smoke.  Fumes are there whether you can see them or not.  There may be less of them (depending on what you are TIG welding), but they are still there.  That is why you should always weld where there is adequate ventilation.  From personal experience, I wouldn't think that you would need a personal respirator unless you were welding on unclean metal or something really dangerous like beryllium copper.
Reply:ventliation yes..a direct "breeze?" you will only blow your shielding gasses around resulting in the thing we all hate the most...pourousity.. just dont go breathing in too much argon.. and keep the kids out of the helium.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:3M makes the best welding hoods I've ever used, its called Speedglas. They are pricey but well worth it, u can buy them with the ventilator option. With Argon being an inert gas (heavier than normal air), I've been told that it may sometimes settle in your lungs though not harmful it may make u feel tired(we're talking about non-stop welding all day or something) if this happens lie on your bed on your back and let your head hang down towards the floor and take deep slow breaths exhaling strongly this helps, or so i've benn told.
Reply:ByrdWelder,It's called the Adflo from 3M/Hornell.  We're supposed to be getting some for the shop, but the USAF is pretty broke these days.Kalroy"It's all about the OODA Loop."
Reply:true, litttle or no fumes when tig welding on clean materials, just a little smoke from the filler rod, but in my world I deal with dirty parts that have been flying around for 30 years, no matter how much you try to clean them there is still oils, sealants, hyd fluid trapped in them, not to mention when I get avaition support equip to weld that is saturated in skydrol ("non flammable aviation hyd fluid") but trust me it is flamable and puts off some toxic fumes, It is all but impossible to get that stuff removed from the pores of the metal, we have a double trunk Torit brand industrial smoke extractor suspended above our tig bench's for this reason, this thing is the bomb, if you are not careful with it it sucks up your shielding gas
Reply:I did find this ... and looks like it might fit under the helmet .. but doesnt look like it would work as good as my respirator .  But at least it has a seal that looks like it would get good coverage with little leakage .. ( nothing a little vaseline cant fix )http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/...roduct_id=783#
Reply:Thank You, for your service to our country and your response, Thank you.
Reply:You are welcome ... Its my pleasure and honor to serve our country.  Thanks for say that ..
Reply:Originally Posted by ByrdWelder With Argon being an inert gas (heavier than normal air), I've been told that it may sometimes settle in your lungs though not harmful