Re: Safest & affordable respirator?
I'm not sure if they still make them, but 3M used to have a disposable version as well. It looked like a regular dust mask but contained the activated carbon for painting. They might be a more compact version to get under a welding helmet, but I didn't like them for painting because they seemed very restrictive and I couldn't get enough air when I was running around a car. For standing in one spot and welding, they might be alright. You would definitely want them behind a hood with good coverage though... I doubt they would play well with sparks.
F-225 amp Forney AC Stick
230 amp Sears AC Stick
Lincoln 180C MIG
Victor Medalist 350 O/A
Les