Black boogies.!!

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Disclaimer- Possible TMI threat..So I'm takin welding classes at the local CC. They've got a huge ventilation system and we open all the doors we can. And I still come home with a case of the "black boogies".!! Usually takes till the next morning to get back to the usual snot. We're mostly stick welding now. There's only about 6 of us in the place and it's pretty big. I know I get a little close to the work when I'm doing it. And it might come more from the sweeping afterwards. We haven't done a whole lot of grinding yet.Question is, is this pretty normal or do I need to be seeking some respiratory protection.? Thanks..    d:^)  Schneeks..PS/Edit- That said, what kindof respirator would give ya the most flexibility between dust/particles and fumes.? Mebbe one with screw in/pop-on filters.? Looks like from previous readings that the filters for galvy are only good for "x" amount of time(shelf-life?) and it would seem a waste to use them for particle/dust filtration. But if those could be saved for "special occasions" of galvy and a particle filter used the rest of the time that might be a viable one-mask option.? LWS sells the little dust mask lookin jobs but those never seem to seal very well and fog my glasses.  Thanks again.. Last edited by Schneeky; 02-15-2011 at 09:52 AM.Reason: After-thoughts.ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:Respiratory protection would be prudent, but if the contaminants are being caught by your nasal passages, they are doing their job.In my experience, dust is usually the cause of this phenomenon.
Reply:ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ!   Happens everytime I stick weld. You can get a mask. I've never tried one because the majority of my welding is when it's hot. However, there was a thread on welding galvanized, and included a mask. I was planning on picking one up to start being safer.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ght=galvanized"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:thats the norm,,,, a paper mask will help for the black stuff and dustbut a good cartridge filter would be betteridealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:I wear glasses, and the paper masks leak badly around my "protuberant" nose, fogging my glasses (even the ones with the exhalation valve), so I prefer a rubber mask with flat filters, like this:http://www.amazon.com/3M-Facepiece-R...7&sr=8-1-fkmr0The 3m 6291 with the pink filters fits under my mask, and a p100 filters anything but fumes (so still no good for zinc).  A p100 will filter MUCH more than an n95 mask, and most disposable paper masks don't even meet n95 standards.
Reply:Ended up at Grainger today and got a 3M 7000 series mask and the pink 2095 filters. Called 3M tech support and they said the 2095's were what was needed for welding/grinding on the galvanized. Got some of the little dust mask(8515's) lookin filters for welding class. Being at the coast I get plenty of opportunity to work on old rusty galvanized trailers. Never did like breathing that crap during cut-offs. Might be able to do a little welding on'em before too long w/o gettin sick.  That macho/ignorance chit ain't nothin but a pre-requisite for humbleness later in life when the consequences of that mindset come to bear. Stick- I'm a proud member of Hildebeast's "VRWC". Just doin a little "sleepin" now.  Thanks.!!     d:^)  Schneeks..Last edited by Schneeky; 02-15-2011 at 04:08 PM.ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:In my fifth week of welding school and can atest to the black boogie syndrome.  The partial cause for me is that I was too dang close to the welding itself.  Had to force myself to relax and pull back from the welding itself and that has decreased the level of black boogies!  If you take your helmet off and find there is a layer of smoke on your lens, your too close to the plume.  Love welding school.
Reply:Originally Posted by jbyrdIn my fifth week of welding school and can atest to the black boogie syndrome.  The partial cause for me is that I was too dang close to the welding itself.  Had to force myself to relax and pull back from the welding itself and that has decreased the level of black boogies!  If you take your helmet off and find there is a layer of smoke on your lens, your too close to the plume.  Love welding school.
Reply:I work in a shop that has restricted fab/weld areas due to high levels of hexavalent chromium[lots of high nickel chrome welding] and we can use either a 3m 8515 or a Speedglas fresh air hood[papr].
Reply:Originally Posted by SchneekyEnded up at Grainger today and got a 3M 7000 series mask and the pink 2095 filters. Called 3M tech support and they said the 2095's were what was needed for welding/grinding on the galvanized.
Reply:I know I'm prolly way close to the weld. Wearing reading glasses helps me see but I end up with my nose down in the mix. Stick- My bad. They're 2097's. Geez. Old age, ADD and dyslexia are ruthless opponents to sanity sometimes..  It might be time for me to get some glasses for real this time. 'Course, the lighting in the shop/classroom kindof sux. I took a little painter's clamp-on light in there tonight and it helped a good bit.    d:^)  Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:Schneek- I will use the 8210 masks when it's not too hot, and not too much nasty stuff flying around. If it's hot, get the 8210's brother with the nose vent; those work really well. As for the galv. stuff, you are on track already.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:This is what we all use... P100 respirator cartridges... and I use these for the really nasty stuff  ie aluminum, stainless, certain chemicals...Last edited by oxygen454; 02-16-2011 at 01:29 AM.
Reply:The ventilation system at our school is pretty bad as well. The entire electrical system is squirrelly. Anyway I use the 3M paper dust masks mixed with activated carbon.I buy them at lowes and use them primarily to control the smell. I have a hard time with the smoke and 100 degree heat in the summer. They fog up your glasses, get wet and start smelling like bad breathe. Add powerade zero for hydration and I can manage to get pretty comfortable.
Reply:I like the North N99 respirators, I wear them pretty steady in the shop.  Comfortable and fit my face.If I am doing a lot of just grinding, especially on stainless or anything toxic, I use a Powered Air Purifying Respirator from Triton.   The fan sits on my belt, has an integral face shield, hearing protection, and helmet.  If I start to get hot, or it steams up, I know that the battery is low or dead.  I wish I had the same setup for welding, but they are very pricey.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Every time the song plays, I sing, " Ohh, black boogie, bam-a-lam, my nose is sooty, bam-a-lam".........200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Originally Posted by bert the welderEvery time the song plays, I sing, " Ohh, black boogie, bam-a-lam, my nose is sooty, bam-a-lam".........
Reply:I get the worst black boogers, but after my wife started making me change my mask every few hours it has gotten a lot better.  I think I used to use the same one for weeks before :-)For great deals on new and used welders visit: Welding Machines For Salehttp://www.WeldingMachinesForSale.net
Reply:Originally Posted by SchneekyCurse you, Bert.!! Now I'm gonna be thinkin that chit everytime I blow a rag full.!!    d:^)  Schneeks..
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