Respirator or just Mask for Indoor FCAW?

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When stick welding I usually wear a mask like those used for painting to try and not inhale too many fumes. For indoor FCAW would you guys recommend using the mask or a paint respirator to protect against the smoke? Thanks.Edit: I will be welding in my garage with a 10CFM fan going and an outdoor air intake across the room.
Reply:Most masks don’t filter well at the micron level and are useless at filtering gasses. The choice would be respirator with the correct filters. If you must use a filter mask, I’d stand up-wind of the smoke in the clean air. BTW, the 3-M masks with the pig snout are very comfortable for general purpose work.
Reply:I have been using one of these http://www.homedepot.com/Paint/h_d1/...atalogId=10053But I was wondering if I would be better off with one of these: http://www.homedepot.com/Paint/h_d1/...atalogId=10053As for staying out of the smoke, that is all well and good if I don't want to see the weld pool. Otherwise I am practically right over the weld, Especially when using pull technique.Victor Journeyman OA TorchVictor Edge RegulatorsLincoln 180HD (240v) MIG/FCAWShark LT v7 CADMiller Digital Elite Helmet35 Milligrams of Insanity
Reply:You are better off with the 3M 1/2 mask and the 2091 pink filters.Masks:http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...glNLVJDW8QC6blhttp://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...glS6G9N9F4VMblhttp://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...gl9VMNVJ52Z6blFilters http://solutions.3mcanada.ca/wps/por...glTFX7SF1TKPblI use that first one (3M 8511) for grinding and general dust. BTW you can get them much cheaper than that if you buy them by the box of 10. I get mine from MSC. That works out to about $2.50 or less each vs $3.50 ish at Depot.http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...MT4NO=80519443..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:DSW: Is that a downward facing exhaust spout for the first half mask you posted? If so, that's a pretty smexy design and it makes me want to replace my 6000 series for that. Even using the SpeedGlas 9100X, I get glass fogging at times.The world is amazing when you are slightly strange.