Do MIG welder's stink?

[dstig1]

I've never met a MIG welder who smells good

Some air circulation is a good thing. Melting metal creates metal fumes to some degree. These are large surface area particles of metal (think microscopic snowflakes) and you don't want that to build up. When welding in my garage I leave the door closed and then open it up when done (usually 10-15 min closed, then setting up the next stuff with door open). Plus I've started wearing a respirator a lot more when welding.

 

[5030]

Im not too worried about the shielding gases, im more concerned with the gases associated with the melting metals. I have a neighbor thats a retired union welder, and hes all messed up with bad eyesight and bad lungs from welding.

Must have welded lots of galvanized in his day. Probably from errant arc strikes (bad eyes)....

Yes they do smell! Smells like money to me.:laughing:

Money in or equipment expense out?

I've never met a MIG welder who smells good

Some air circulation is a good thing. Melting metal creates metal fumes to some degree. These are large surface area particles of metal (think microscopic snowflakes) and you don't want that to build up. When welding in my garage I leave the door closed and then open it up when done (usually 10-15 min closed, then setting up the next stuff with door open). Plus I've started wearing a respirator a lot more when welding.

If you tried to smell me, I'd slap ya......:laughing:

Try plasma cutting if you want filth. I have a CNC plasma table and it's dirty. Mig is nothing compared to production plasma...

On the OP. Mig is probably the easiest discipline to learn and get good at and new generation pulsed mig machines make that even easier. I look at a mig as a glue gun for metal. A good machine is reasonable price wise and you always have the option of flux cored non shielding gas wire or solid wire with shielding gas or shielding gas required flux jacketed wire which is primarily spray arc.

For ocassional use you still want a 220/1 machine with gas or gasless capability. The 110/1 machines don't have the capability of welding heavier meaterials with the exception of the Miller Passport or the Hobart Trek but both of those machines will set you back as much as a quality 220/1 plug in machine with ample amperage to handle anything you want to stick together.

The Trek and the Passport have the capability of running unplugged (on batteries) so you can weld anywhere, anytime, even if no electricity is available and both have gasless and gas capability.

Just keep in mind that unlike SMAW (stick welding), the materials to be joined must be relatively clean and oxidation free.

Have fun.

 

[IslandTractor]

The Trek and the Passport have the capability of running unplugged (on batteries) so you can weld anywhere, anytime, even if no electricity is available and both have gasless and gas capability.
.

You are describing the Trek. The Passport is a dual voltage suitcase inverter machine and runs on an internal CO2 paintball tank but doesn't have a battery. I love mine anyway.

 

[Willl]

I would use the welder in my woodworking shop.

I'll bring the marshmallows.

 

[moored4]

I'll bring the marshmallows.

That what I was thinking. Roasted Hot dogs! and get enough for the firemen!

To me a wood shop smells of SAW DUST and PAINT FUMES and SPRAY CANS and thats what bothers me! and Willl

"Fire Hazard"

 

[5030]

You are describing the Trek. The Passport is a dual voltage suitcase inverter machine and runs on an internal CO2 paintball tank but doesn't have a battery. I love mine anyway.

Yes I am, the Hobart Trek. Certanily better than car batteries in parallel. The Passport is an umbilical machine but a lightweight inverter based unit nonetheless.

 

[grsthegreat]

I'll bring the marshmallows.

you got that right....for an electrician a wood working shop ranks nearly at the top for explosion environments......i have to install panel covers that are gasketed even. Thise pesky bits of sawdust are a time bomb.

Just try and find any old saw mills hehe

 

[Soundguy]

Ok, here's a dumb question for you. How bad do MIG welders stink? I've never been around a welder but I have a need for one. I was thinking about picking up a MIG welder and learning how to weld. However, I understand they are very sensitive to wind and I live in a very windy area. So, I would use the welder in my woodworking shop. I'm curious though...will it "stink up" my shop with smoke?

While I try to not 'HUFF' any welder fumes.. stick welders by and far smoke more than a mig.

and yes.. since they use a shield gas if in heavy wind.. mig can have some issues. ( stick are maing their own shielding right at the arc )

soundguy

 

[Gary Fowler]

Smoke from a welding operation is not nearly as bad as smoke from a cigarette. To my knowledge, it hasnt been linked to cancer. Likely your old welding friend smoked cigarettes most of his life which contributed to his ill health. I am not saying that you dont need to protect yourself from the fume build up, but it is not like an axe murderer stalking you so just take a few precautions with ventilation and dont sweat the smoke as far as dangerous to your health.
Make sure all that sawdust is cleaned up and no flammable liquids or vapors are harbored in your shop. This is extremely dangerous to work around a woodshop.

 

[DanD78]

I think flux core mig stinks. I can tell the difference between the smells of 7018 and 6013. Neither are as bad as the flux core mig.

Dan