A question for welders regarding a simple respirator

[NepaXJ]

Hey all,

I don't know if this is in the right forum, but here it goes...

I started a basic cutting/welding course a few weeks ago and after a week or so of blowing out shiny black snot I decided to try some masks to help filter out some of the particulate. I headed over to airgas and got some cheap paper masks with a small filter in the center. I used them for a couple of days but I found that it restricted breathing too much and wanted to go a different route. I went back to airgas and purchased a different style of mask/filter. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM4007717201P. I have used it for a couple of days now and I like it a lot better than the thin paper masks.

Now my question is... how long are the filters good for? I noticed after only 2 days (about 6 hours of welding) the filter is pretty brown from the nastiness getting filtered out.

Thanks in advance for the help and sorry if this is in the wrong forum!

 

[GrimmJeeper]

I don't weld for a living, but i've noticed a fan pulling the air away from where I am welding helped quite a bit with fumes. you don't want it blowing across the weld because that will blow your shielding gas away, but a shop fan on medium 2-3 ft away blowing away from me is always present when I weld on the jeep now.

never had the black boogers, I only get those at work running the brake lathe :gee:

 

[kastein]

I wear a 3M respirator mask with replaceable elements, N95 rating. It is good enough that it filters out damn near everything - I didn't believe it till I ended up cleaning the fridge one day and found a long expired gallon jug of milk. Like, so old it looked like lemonade with yogurt at the bottom, and smelled funky even though it wasn't opened.

Was about to open it to pour it down the drain and realized what I should do... used the respirator mask and couldn't smell a thing. It was like it wasn't even there.

Of course I nearly lost it when I took the mask off without waiting long enough, but it was great up till then.

I use this mask for anything that is bad for me or smells horrible - grinding, welding, sanding, demolition in my house (mold/plaster/lead paint/fiberglass/particulates), mixing cement, cleaning the fridge out, you name it.

You can get P100 filter elements for it but I haven't needed them yet.

 

[H8PVMT]

I work with chemicals and respirators almost daily and just remember, if its in your nose its in your eyes, might not be practical for welding but I always wear full face ones when possible

 

[NepaXJ]

Thanks all for the info. I'm still not exactly sure how long they are good for. I heard something like 8 hours of continuous use. I may just call the manufacturer and find out.

GrimmJeeper- I'm not exactly sure but I am guessing you are talking about MIG/TIG? I will keep that in mind for when we get there! I am on stick right now and I think a lot of the black snot is from chipping slag and cleaning it with a wire brush.

 

[kastein]

I work with chemicals and respirators almost daily and just remember, if its in your nose its in your eyes, might not be practical for welding but I always wear full face ones when possible

I am reminded of this every single time I tear down a ceiling and end up with a faceful of rockwool and moldy plaster.

 

[alex22]

This one fits nicely under my helmet and has a nice tight seal, no fogged glasses. At the end of a day of wearing it I can still smell and not blow black snot out for the rest of the night.
http://store.cyberweld.com/3mwereaswiod.html

~Alex