Welding Ventilation
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: BC, Canada
Welding Ventilation
I've done a search but didn't really find what I was looking for. 
When welding what type of ventilation or personal protection do most use. Too much air flow can affect the sheilding gas if using MIG but if there's no air movement the smoke etc. from the weld can get pretty noxious, and a dust mask doesn't protect properly. I try to weld with a door open but in the winter it gets a little frosty.
I'm in the process of making an exhaust fan system using an old furnace fan, and I'll be able to move the suction point as needed so that's my answer. Perhaps there's better options?
When welding what type of ventilation or personal protection do most use. Too much air flow can affect the sheilding gas if using MIG but if there's no air movement the smoke etc. from the weld can get pretty noxious, and a dust mask doesn't protect properly. I try to weld with a door open but in the winter it gets a little frosty.
I'm in the process of making an exhaust fan system using an old furnace fan, and I'll be able to move the suction point as needed so that's my answer. Perhaps there's better options?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: northern Ky
An exhaust fan like you're talking about should work good - it shouldn't create enough air movement to affect your shielding gas. The biggest problem is that you lose your heated air in the winter.
I've seen advertisments (not recently) for filtration units that filter and recirculate air, so that you don't lose heated air. A ceiling mounted box of some sort. Wish I could tell you more about them. But I'm sure they're still out there. They might be costly, but I would check into them if I did a lot of welding. Good for body work dust and fumes too, as I recall.
I've seen advertisments (not recently) for filtration units that filter and recirculate air, so that you don't lose heated air. A ceiling mounted box of some sort. Wish I could tell you more about them. But I'm sure they're still out there. They might be costly, but I would check into them if I did a lot of welding. Good for body work dust and fumes too, as I recall.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Willamette Valley Oregon
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They produce a respirator (similar to a painting respirator) designed for welding use. They are designed to remove the heavy metals. I don't know if they actually filter out the smoke.
Some commercials sites use a suction tube that you sit close to your welding location. They have about a 4" tube, with the sucker sitting outside. I found them a hassle to use but they were effective.
They produce a respirator (similar to a painting respirator) designed for welding use. They are designed to remove the heavy metals. I don't know if they actually filter out the smoke.
Some commercials sites use a suction tube that you sit close to your welding location. They have about a 4" tube, with the sucker sitting outside. I found them a hassle to use but they were effective.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 279
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From: northern Ky
Here's what I was thinking of (it finally came to me later) Did a google search on "smoke eater". Here's one example I found. www.purennatural.com There are probably several companies that make them. Expensive, but taking care of your health and not having to wear something on your face may make it worth it. 
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: BC, Canada
Thanks guys, your suggestions are helpful. My health is important, if I don't use some type of protection I end up clearing my lungs for a couple days. I think I'll look at a respirator at the minimum.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 788
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From: Hendersonville, TN
the suction fan idea is good, and I'd use standard furnace filters in it. The big industrial welding fume extractors are essentially that: A squirrel-cage fan with a suction tube and several filters in a big box, but cost thousands of dollars. You could build something similar for under a hundred.
