Hex Chrome/Welding Stainless - what to do

[matt_i]

I made a prototype weldment last year from 1018 and now my customer wants 3pcs out of stainless steel. I'm going to guess its a sum total of 10 minutes of tig welding each part.

I'm concerned about hexavalent chromium fumes from the welding...I've done tiny parts before, like an inch of weld and not thought much...I've seen the spendy fresh-air supplied welding helmets but looking for something quicker/faster/easier as I need to get started and this is not exactly a core business of mine. I don't have a downdraft welding setup..yet.

Just curious if anyone has ideas, or I'm overly concerned about the exposure above. Fans, vent/open the shop after each part...?

 

[Ozwelder]

Put an electric fan behind you and blow the fumes away.
Keep your face out of the fume zone.

 

[dr_clyde]

No issue TIG welding. Fluxed processes like stick and flux core give off the dangerous fumes. There was just a thread about this somewhere.

 

[zcar751]

Use a vent hood to pull fumes from work / away from you. If not possible use a respirator with the proper filter. You welding supply company will have reusable and disposable setups that fit under the helmet. Something like the Miller LPR 100 will do the trick.

 

[Tinner]

No issue TIG welding. Fluxed processes like stick and flux core give off the dangerous fumes. There was just a thread about this somewhere.

This.

 

[matt_i]

Good stuff, thanks guys.