Welding safety & inhaled hazards

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I wanted to take a poll as to how everyone approaches the issue of inhaling particles or welding fumes.By way of background, I'm a hobbyist woodworker making my first forays into MIG welding at which I'm a total newbie.In woodworking, the main safety preoccupation is the with the small (<5 micron) particles and organic fumes. Dust collection , air filtration systems and masks for filtering fine particles and/or volatile organics are the order of the day.Welding seems to kick off a heck of lot of smoke and as a noob I can't help but look at those clouds and think it'd be best not to suck that stuff in.What sort of methods does everyone use for drawing away the welding gasses and replenishing fresh air? Also, what does everyone wear/use in the way of breathing protection?Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away. And you have their shoes.Roland
Reply:The circumstances are going to dictate the measures you need to take. From welding with adequate ventilation (always) to using a carbon filter respirator to air vacs and even supplied air. There is a vacuum system at school where I attend, while at home I simply stay nearly out in the open or use a respirator.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:The building I work in is huge, gotta be a 50 foot ceiling, but by 8 o'clock there is a nasty haze in the place. We are provided with a couple different kinds of 3M respirators, I wear the cartridge type as much as possible. Its uncomfortable but so is mesotheliomia and all the other stuff that could happen.
Reply:According to all sources I have asked, regular welding doesn't hurt you very much if at all.  Even seasoned veterans who have welded for 20+ years for a living show no signs of weird stuff in their lungs or anywhere else really, including eyesight.  If you don't "flash" yourself very often (look at the arc with no helmet on accident) your eyes will be unaffected when wearing proper, quality equipment.  The only trouble (as far as i know) you will run into as a hobby welder is if you spark up Zinc, Galvanized steel, copper and a couple others as they put off very harmful fumes (can make you good and sick for quite a few days if you get enough of it).  Other than that, common sense rules and have a blast with your new hobby! Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:Originally Posted by BurnitThe building I work in is huge, gotta be a 50 foot ceiling, but by 8 o'clock there is a nasty haze in the place.
Reply:Grind galvy in-as-much as practicable and go for it. Take everything else straight up.
Reply:i put an exaust fan right behind my welging table and open a window on the other side. seems to draw most of it out. helps when grinding too. if it wont fit on my table i just dont breathe any more than necessary, ha ha.
Reply:Do not use a regular resperator you will do more harm than good. When a spark his it is burns a little and releases gas like burning a plastic bag there are warning on most not to use them for welding. You cand buy a welding reperator in several versions. You will need to look to a welding supply house or an industrial catalog like Lawson Tool were I got mine. I only use it in tight areas like in the hull of a boat or simular. I dont use it outside at all. Better safe than sorry. My dad woked in a welding shop for 46 years and welded at home to still does and no trouble. Steel Thunder Welding LLC. St. Thomas VI USAMM350PBOBCAT 3MAXSTAR 150 STH375 EXTREME PLASMA6.5 HP COMPRESORDEWALT 18, 24, AND 36 VOLTO/A TORCH SETAND SO MUCH MORE I DONT REMEMBERALL IN MY 2005 2500HD EXTENDED CAB L/B