Protection against fumes

[RickLinstad]

Greetings all,
I'm kind of new to the welding game but have been doing a bit of practicing. I've got a small Lincoln mig welder (sp125+) which I have set up for flux core wire. I know the advantages of gas, but I really like the portability and ease of use with flux core wire.

I do most of my welding in the garage next to an open garage door. I have even put a box fan to help blow out the smoke.

Here is my question. How do you deal with the problem of enhaliing the fumes? I generally try to hold my breath during the weldling process. This works so so. At the end of the day I can feel it in my lungs. Is there a resperator your can wear? I know gas would probably solve most of this problem.
Thanks.
Rick

[Banzaitoyota]

A proper exhaust system/fume extractor will alleviate the problem.

[Sberry]

If you are using a fan it will probably recirculate a lot of the smoke unless you open a window opposite to create a draft. Generally blowing stuff out doesnt work too well, it just blows it around. Put the fan down side and suck the fumes thru it, thats why they call it fume extraction. Personally I love the smell of that stuff and a guy hasnt had enough till he farts smoke,,, ha

[Sberry]

the biggest thing is to keep your hands out in front of you and not let the smoke plume roll up under your hood.

[david_r]

Rick,
I'm having trouble envisioning that much smoke with a box fan (even set on low) and ittybitty 0.30 fluxcore wire. You want smoke, come on over and we'll run some rods on the arc welder. I use a box fan with great success with the arc welder.

You can probably feel it in your lungs at the end of the day because you are trying to hold your breath. You're getting some smoke in there and taking a deep breath and holding it deep in your lungs.