Fans and SMAW

[Haywire]

I've been using a small 9" fan to keep the fumes out of my face when I'm at the bench practicing on the assumption that SMAW is almost immune to air movement affecting the weld.

I was reading something recently that suggested wind can cause porosity in the weld and wondered if I was messing up.

Is the fan ok, or do I need to ditch it. I don't have a tornado going, it makes just enough breeze to move the fumes off.

Ian

 

[5030]

casual air movement is never a problem, I keep the circulating fan on no matter what process I use.....

 

[deereman75]

I have a 10 inch fan blowing all the fumes out, to keep the air in my shed breathable. With my welding shop being the corner of a shed build under my deck. I dont see any real differnce when I weld with or without the fan, not that my welds are all that good to begin with.

 

[Haywire]

I've got a 24" exhaust fan running to keep the barn clear, but that doesn't keep the fumes out of my face, hence the small fan. I'll keep doing what I'm doing.

thanks,
Ian

 

[deereman75]

I normaly weld just outside the door to my shed, ith the fan just behind/beside me to keep blow the fumes away, before they get in my shed.

 

[Gary Fowler]

As long as it is just a gentle breeze, it shouldnt hurt your welding. I wouldnt put it right next to the weld and turn it on full blast. Just enough breeze to gently move the smoke along is good enough. Last summer, I had my fan on to cool me a little but had to move it off to the side as it was affecting my weld. You will know when it is too high as the arc wont be stable and you will get porosity in the weld especially at the starts.

 

[bubbacuse77]

The new positive pressure welding masks have really come down in price. You might want to look into it. Stick welding is the most fume intensive process and constant exposure could cause health issues.

 

[yomax4]

As long as there is no porisity in your welds. Let her blow. If the fan is too much, Your welds will show it.

 

[AKwelder]

Welding fumes are the new health issue at work, or at least for this year. We have had all kinds of air movement and fans and masks. It really boils down to this, a gentle breeze on stick welding is nothing to worry about. Stick welding can handle quite a bit of air flow. Some electrodes don't care and others have issues. The low hydrogen electrodes, 7018 for example, are the first to have issues.

I wouldn't change anything until you see a problem. When you see a problem it will be in your starts first.

As to a PAPR, or positive air pressure respirator hood, I HATE THEM. And the ones we use are nice ones. They are not any fun