Respirator for welding and grinding

[Bill Hudson]

I had a project that involved a lot of grinding, cutting and welding (1 grinding disk, ~10 cutting disks, 2 pounds of 6011 welding rod) after a lot of spitting up black stuff, I decided to make some changes. Purchased two 3M 8515 respirators. I used one to complete the job. The unused one is on the left.

These are meant to be disposable, so I ordered a box of 10 online and they will be delivered today.

I was concerned that the mask might be cumbersome inside my welding helmet, but it worked fine.

Bill

[Slim140]

Wow, what a difference! Thank you for sharing this Bill.

[outdoors4evr]

That's a lot of crud you kept out of your nose-hair & lungs!
This is a great reminder to us working on projects to keep safety first!

- Pretty certain that the paint used on these old tractors was a lead based paint.

[Lt.Mike]

I use the same one for grinding and wire brushing rusty metal. Yes having rust up in my sinuses got old quick and can’t do you any good. Last time I was in Graingers I bought the big economy box of those masks.
I know it says for welding but you may want better for welding as it’s for particulates but not the best for vapors /fumes. You can still smell the fumes. I have the 3m dual charcoal respirator which does the job for vapors, can’t smell any but doesn’t fit under a welding helmet. There’s this...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2047644430
It’s a nice idea but again it’s only for dust.
The best I’ve come up with is to use a box fan to try to pull the away and out of the work area when welding.

[BIGHOSS]

Hey Bill, thank you for reminded everyone about not being too careful in protecting your lungs. This comes from a formerly strong man who thought that he was a superman, now attached to an oxygen tube 24/7.
Some of you may remember that I have a lung disease called"IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY FIBROSIS". The word idiopathic simply means there is no scientific reason for this disease. But many years of breathing what Bill is describing cannot be good for your lungs. After all, the grinding wheel sparks/dust is melted steel that is going directly into your lungs. Not counting the 100s of rattle can that was sprayed, welding fumes (you get the picture)

Guys do what is necessary to save your lungs. I am proof of what can happen.The N95 mask (I think) is the one recommended by OSHA.

Lord willing, I plan to come to DSCF if possible in Feb.

Be Safe
Ron

[Jeff Silvey]

Hey Bill, thank you for reminded everyone about not being too careful in protecting your lungs. This comes from a formerly strong man who thought that he was a superman, now attached to an oxygen tube 24/7.
Some of you may remember that I have a lung disease called"IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY FIBROSIS". The word idiopathic simply means there is no scientific reason for this disease. But many years of breathing what Bill is describing cannot be good for your lungs. After all, the grinding wheel sparks/dust is melted steel that is going directly into your lungs. Not counting the 100s of rattle can that was sprayed, welding fumes (you get the picture)

Guys do what is necessary to save your lungs. I am proof of what can happen.The N95 mask (I think) is the one recommended by OSHA.

Lord willing, I plan to come to DSCF if possible in Feb.

Be Safe
Ron

Thats what I use is the N95. It is recommended by a lot of fire departments, EMS, and police departments.

[Stanton]

...I used one to complete the job... Bill

Thanks for the "wake-up" call, Bill. Am going by Home Depot this afternoon to pick up a box of N95 Osha-approved masks.

[Lt.Mike]

...I used one to complete the job... Bill

Thanks for the "wake-up" call, Bill. Am going by Home Depot this afternoon to pick up a box of N95 Osha-approved masks.

Going to double check mine and if that’s not them I’ll get some.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

As much of my grinding and welding as possible is done outside, and where I live it is rare not to have a breeze to carry all that away. If I am grinding, wire wheeling, or welding on something I suspect has lead paint on it I also wear the dual cartridge respirator they issued me when I took care of the phone system at the lead mines and smelters in the area.

[RonT]

While we are on the subject.... Using brake cleaners to clean metal prior to welding can be very hazardous.
This has probably been mentioned before on this forum but it bears repeating.

In welding school, the instructor cautioned against using brake cleaner to prep metal. Under the right circumstances it can lead to the production of Phosgene gas. This gas was used to poison trench soldiers in WWI (commonly known as mustard gas).

See the linked article or google it for much more information.
https://www.thefabricator.com/thewelder/article/arcwelding/cleaning-material-with-brake-cleaner-before-welding-a-risky-move-that-can-turn-deadly

Take care and be safe during the holiday season and the upcoming year.
We hope to see each of you safe and sound at a Cubfest this year.
Ron

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Ron, I have read this before, and always wondered if that is only a problem if there is still some liquid present, or also from the residue it may leave behind?

[Jim Becker]

I am not a chemist, nor do I have relevant medical training. However, the warning quoted in the article referenced above states: "Vapors may decompose to harmful or fatal corrosive gases such as hydrogen chloride and possibly phosgene." I interpret that as a hazard from the vapors created as the brake cleaner evaporates. If you wait for all the cleaner to evaporate and the air to clear, the vapors should be gone. Presumably, brake cleaner won't leave (much) residue behind. (That is why it makes a good brake cleaner.)

Don't take my word for it on this. The gases mentioned in the warning are about as deadly as anything gets.

[dgrapes59]

I saw the below article linked to a post on another forum discussion about using brake parts cleaner prior to welding. An eye opening read to say the least!

https://www.brewracingframes.com/safety ... e-gas.html

Be safe out there guys and gals,

[Bill Hudson]

Phosgene is nothing to mess with. I used to work in a chemical plant where one of the raw ingredients was phosgene. The phosgene was made in the "B" unit of the plant and then piped to my unit. Standard issue equipment for ALL plant workers was a full face gas mask (to be worn at all times) with a canister filter on one hip and a direct connection to breathing air system plumbed throughout the plant on the other. While I was there we lost one employee to another one of the nasty things used in the manufacturing process.

Yes, phosgene is nasty stuff!

Bill

[Don McCombs]

I can't believe that the guy in the link was stupid enough to let his condition go, untreated, as long as he did. Particularly, when he knew exactly what was causing it. What an idiot!!!