Grinding screen/welding screen questions

[green.bubbly]

My 30 year old son decided he wants to weld for a hobby. Just finished building a shop and has started welding and grinding and I believe he is now addicted.

I walked in his shop Sunday and there was an inch thick layer of grinding "dust" everywhere in the shop.

1. What type of breathing protection should he wear for welding and grinding? Not doing any aluminum or galvanized metal.

2. Is a welding screen the best way to contain the **** coming off of the grinder.



Any other "keep the mess down" suggestions?

 

[Kaizen]

If he is using small pieces he can do it in a ventilated box of sorts. some put shop vacs on them but in truth the grinder will be everywhere. especially if he has long pieces. a dry cut chop saw will contain a lot if that's the size he is playing with.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

A band saw for cutting and a bench with a vise outside is how I control dust in my shop.

 

[green.bubbly]

For right now he is just messing with short pieces. He has a chop saw but the issue is from the hand held angle grinder. He is wanting to build a large welding table and the outside suggestion is probably a good idea.

Maybe he could put some heavy duty wheels on the table and he can roll it outside.

 

[bullnerd]

I don't have one, but I always thought a bench like this would would work ok for catching grinding ****.

Just aim the sparks toward the back/sides and you can open the wings for longer pieces.

Fan or no fan probably better than nothing.

I had a sketch of one made from a 3 drawer file cabinet...but I cant find it.

 

[SickSpeedMonte]

The abrasive in the grinding wheel is what you don't want to breathe in. I wear one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ILDLHTQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1028293O/respirators-for-welding-brochure-70-0716-7146-8.pdf

You can get all kinds of different filter cartridges for them. The 2297 is what I use for grinding and welding. It fits under the hood well and they aren't too uncomfortable.

As for containing the mess, you are probably better off outside in LA. In MD's climate, I am going to build a downdraft workstation.

 

[tarmy]

Grind outside whenever possible...hopefully he has a good fire extinguisher too.

Grinding is a dangerous thing to be taken seriously. Gloves, hearing pro, face shield...watch where sparks are going...and I wear this as well...pricey, but my lungs, eyes and health are worth it...when I clean the filter you get reminded that you are breathing a lot of metal, fumes and ****...

 

[Kaizen]

Grind outside whenever possible...hopefully he has a good fire extinguisher too.



Grinding is a dangerous thing to be taken seriously. Gloves, hearing pro, face shield...watch where sparks are going...and I wear this as well...pricey, but my lungs, eyes and health are worth it...when I clean the filter you get reminded that you are breathing a lot of metal, fumes and ****...

What is your breathing filter?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LeeG]

+1 on keeping a fire extinguisher handy. A couple of years ago I set my neighbors grass on fire when a small piece of white hot steel hit their dry grass.

One of these is nice to have for those instances:

As far as screens, I use the Tillman blue or red welding screens around my welding area when possible - it keeps the grinding dust somewhat contained and protects passerby from the arc flash.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I've always thought my dream shop would have a block lean-to with a metal door for dirty work like welding and grinding. Nothing flammable to worry about and all the mess confined.

 

[dogdog]

one of these days I will build a down draft table similar to the ones from that jodi guy from welding tips and tricks... maybe when metal prices gets a bit more reasonable....

But seriously, common sense safety goes a long way...

 

[tarmy]

What is your breathing filter?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It is actually three layers...

 

[nadogail]

Metal prices, like gasoline prices, are not likely to return to where you might want them.

Your best bet for cheap steel is Craigs List, or info from utube.

 

[Hosejockey61]

Don't forget to sweep or vacuum afterwards if grinding over concrete. If you don't you will end up with rust stains everywhere if water gets on it.

 

[ez-duzit]

...Just aim the sparks toward the back/sides...

Ha!

 

[Hosejockey61]

I'm in the finishing stages of building my shop. I am going to put the copper colored steel panels on the lower part of the walls as a wainscot to help prevent any sparks from getting into an area they don't belong.

 

[bullnerd]

Ha!

"For right now he is just messing with short pieces."

Ha!

 

[bradpac]

Just find a cheap shop vac on craigslist and **** the stuff up. I am making a grinding area in the corner of my new garage. Sheet metal on the walls and I plan on getting a welding curtain setup to protect the car area on the other side.

 

[binksman]

Get him a bandsaw. If he's making that much mess it means he's probably using grinding discs to cut material because the cutoff blades wear down too quickly for what he is working on. Size depending, most of the portable units from various manufactures are good enough for hobbyists.

 

[green.bubbly]

He did get a shop vac which helps clean up. He has chop saw but did mention he wanted a bandsaw.

 

[sberry]

I don't have one, but I always thought a bench like this would would work ok for catching grinding ****.

Just aim the sparks toward the back/sides and you can open the wings for longer pieces.

Fan or no fan probably better than nothing.

I had a sketch of one made from a 3 drawer file cabinet...but I cant find it.

I like that blue thing, looks like a pretty good design. I might have changed a few things had I seen it. I was considering putting up a screen at the end of my cutting grate but I am all over the place with the grinder.

 

[Rory Bellows]

Does he have a leaf blower? It works really well cleaning grinding dust off anything and can blow all of it outside.

 

[NoPressure]

He did get a shop vac which helps clean up. He has chop saw but did mention he wanted a bandsaw.

If he is using an abrasive chop saw Have him put this or a similar brand on his wish list.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Evoluti...WGkyIIC8WvNUI7oHZrRoCVocQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Lucky13driver]

I'm using a Milwaukee dry cut circular saw. The cuts are unbelievable and the steel doesn't get hot at all. There is also a chop saw version. After a day of heavy grinding I'll do a quick sweep then I have a small cordless blower to get what the broom can't. Just be sure to wear a respirator or dust mask.

Metal working is a great life skill to learn.

 

[bullnerd]

I like that blue thing, looks like a pretty good design. I might have changed a few things had I seen it. I was considering putting up a screen at the end of my cutting grate but I am all over the place with the grinder.

I always liked you chopsaw backstop/mesh table design.