So I've been learning how to TIG at school for a month or so and I'm getting alright at it, but I keep hearing about people who have been welding for a long time getting alzeihmers (sp?) and was wondering if there was a certain mask or respirator specifally for welding. I pretty much stick to 4130 chromoly and 6160 alu, but the other day I had to weld up a spare tire bracket on our truck that was zinc or gold cadmium plated or whatever they use. Those fumes were pretty nasty so I'd just hold my breath lay an inch or so bead and then walk away before I took a breath.
yes they do make a mask for welding i have to look into the part # for the mask. maybe check the 3M web site. any good auto paint & body supply store should have some or a welding shop. if you do any welding on galvanized metal. pre heat it with a torch to burn off the the coating. the fumes will give you a raspy voice for a bit.
I've been welding for 40 years I think, or is it only 4. No, well anyway I've never used a resperator because they are for painters. I was also told not to worry about the fumes, they just burn up and go away. I don't remember going to the Dr. but my Wife, or is she my Sister. Hmmm well anyways Alsheimeers is heredatary, You only get it trying to forgett your Kids and the 60's. Now how do I get back Home? The Wizzard
From what I've been told, welding galvinized metal and inhaling the fumes gives you the shakes (from the zinc overdose)I've herd if that happens, drink milk and it helps it go away faster. my friend told me this after he had it happen when he made a go kart out of galivinized fence posts. I personally would wear a mask or just not weld gavinized. It also attacks your liver and I'd rather save my liver for the canadian whisky I drink .
So my opinyon is that if your going to learn to weld at a School there first job is to teach safty and helth habits. First and formost is to have good ventalation. It's common palce on comercial and union jobs to use fresh air helmets. There is a reason for that. Safty and common sence are a must. Welding is dirty at it's best. A little common sence goes a long ways. The Wizzard
Fahhhhhk, we've been over this a MILLION times... zinc is merely an irritant, IT DONT KILL YOU. google for "msds" and "zinc." he'res what I pulled up in 2.5 seconds: http://www.uszinc.com/msds.asp I'm sorry, but I get irritated when people perpetuate falshoods, especially when in regard to health... its NOT TOXIC... flux fumes, on the other hand, may be. Thats not to say wearing a respirator ISNT a good idea... it IS... welding is cruddy... still...
So burndup, I would ***ume you agree with me that the school should give them basic information on the Hazards and byond that it's all smoke. The Wizzard
I didn't mean specifically zinc plated stuff, i hear there are still some nasty fumes even if your not welding plated stuff or using flux coated wire. I figure I should start safe right from the start, right? And its not a cl*** or anything, its extra-curricular, just some guy showing me the ropes so I can weld up the Formula SAE cars after I get better. My neighbor has been welding all his life, he used to build Gene Snows dragsters and he just recently stopped welding all togethor, I figured if he did that it was probably important
Welding galvanised gives off a deadly poison gas that can kill you! If you want to die of something, please don't make it ignorance
There are lawsuits in the works right now against the American Welding Society amoung othere welding societies nas well as manufacturers of SMAW electrodes. It seems that recent medical research has determined that the electrode coating MAY contribute to the onset of Parkinsins(sp?) disease but I havent heard anything about GTAW. I wouldn't think you would want to breath in Argon all day but Argon is a lot heavier than are and rapidly decsends to the floor, Helium is non-toxic and disipates into the air quickly and hydrogen is harmless. Of corse some metals or their toxic coatings can put off noxious fumes but that's what they make respirator equipment for. I for one believe in well ventilated areas for welding anything as well as running some sort of fume extractor nearby. Other than that I dont believe you have anything to worry about. If you want scary and dangerous try underwater welding
[ QUOTE ] dont look at the light. you wont be able to see anymore redheads. [/ QUOTE ] wait, you mean I'm not supposed to tack without a mask or gloves like jesse james? dayum
Man I had one of the worst light radiation burns on both biceps from welding on some stainless one day and didn't notice until the next day. Holy What tha, that ****ed sunburn through tattooes and all. Nothing can quite describe having a sunburn on your biceps. I guess Jessi James is tougher than me
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