Weird byproduct of welding?

[speeder]

I've posted here before about the guy sharing the shop space I use who is a welder and sculptor.He does amazing work, great guy. He built an enclosure around his space to try to contain any grinding dust or other byproducts of his work but it still seems to be creeping into the rest of the shop. This is a problem because we are building engines, (sometimes), and just generally working on cars and bikes with open cases, (engines/transmissions/etc.). The other occupant is a motorcycle track guy and maintains racing level cleanliness in his operations.

I already noticed a disturbing evidence of fine metal dust on some parts I had exposed outside of his enclosure, (I work near him), now my car that has been sitting inside for several months is covered in some strange substance that feels rough, like fine sandpaper. It comes off with clay bar but instantly ruins the bar with black who-knows-what.

Any welders here who might be able to illuminate me on this? Thanks.



The trunk lid had been smooth and clean a couple of months ago. Here is the proximity to his space, the enclosure on the right:

[speeder]

I just assembled this engine right next to him and of course I cleaned all of the components and parts more than once but still, this is concerning. I run a pretty clean operation.

[masraum]

I don't know the answer to your question about welding, but I'd invest in some tarps or grill covers or something similar to cover motors and parts that are staged/clean/ready for installation.

[mgatepi]

Looks like grinding dust to me. He needs to install a vaccum system. Tell him to look at Torit systems.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by masraum

I don't know the answer to your question about welding, but I'd invest in some tarps or grill covers or something similar to cover motors and parts that are staged/clean/ready for installation.

I always cover partially assembled components when I leave them overnight or longer. Still, any contamination is a problem.

Originally Posted by mgatepi

Looks like grinding dust to me. He needs to install a vaccum system. Tell him to look at Torit systems.

Thanks. This is what I'm looking for.

[mgatepi]

https://www.donaldson.com/en-us/industrial-dust-fume-mist/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=is-industrial-air-filtration-na-united-states-donaldson-torrit-branded-2024-04-english&network=g&device=c&campaignID=65960462&adgroupID=40740188776&keyword=torit%20dust%20collectors&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=65960462&gbraid=0AAAAAD-1owZPnG7vnjYUWS6D1ZsZtg7OP&gclid=CjwKCAiAvaLLBhBFEiwAYCNTf5v-iBytp9k0G03k9odJY5oRVLjlrIlN5C6gNv21dwBJt-oKPQEpSRoC1_UQAvD_BwE

[wilnj]

Agreed about ventilation.

I had a very reliable railing manufacturer who worked exclusively in SS. We constantly begged him to take on jobs that used carbon steel and he always refused because his shop was not set up to properly isolate the SS from contamination.

[911 Rod]

I'd say one of you need to find a new location.

[serene911]

+ 1 on the dust from grinding. It's coming over the top partition. Not good to
breathe either.

[LWJ]

Not just grinding dust. Welding turns the filler metal into a plasma arc. Meaning, it becomes gaseous. Most of this is deposited on the project area. Some of the gaseous metals floats away. Into lungs, onto paint, and into engines.

The above is NOT an absolute but rather my translation of what I believe is going on. I am not a stem guy, but I did sell fume extraction to welders long ago. I also did workers' comp to heavy industry. The airborne crap is a real deal.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Not just grinding dust. Welding turns the filler metal into a plasma arc. Meaning, it becomes gaseous. Most of this is deposited on the project area. Some of the gaseous metals floats away. Into lungs, onto paint, and into engines.

The above is NOT an absolute but rather my translation of what I believe is going on. I am not a stem guy, but I did sell fume extraction to welders long ago. I also did workers' comp to heavy industry. The airborne crap is a real deal.

I know squat about welding, but I was pretty sure that some metal must or contaminants be vaporized in the welding process.

[rwest]

That enclosure needs to go to the ceiling and maybe you could get one of those hanging air cleaners for near your work area?

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

I'd say one of you need to find a new location.

We can all guess who would be leaving.

But seriously, the welder would have to make serious changes to filtration to stop the dust. Sucks for him because sharing a space with Denis is probably a very good thing.

Time for a breakup, he ain't gotta go home, but he probably shouldn't stay there.

[David]

Really should have a smoke eater HEPA vacuum system when welding. ESPECIALLY if welding stainless. Stainless welding gives off hexavalent chromium which makes asbestos look almost healthy.

[LWJ]

^^^yes.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by david

really should have a smoke eater hepa vacuum system when welding. Especially if welding stainless. stainless welding gives off hexavalent chromium which makes asbestos look almost healthy.

100%

[908/930]

Don't forget about grinding the 2% thoriated tungsten electrode to TIG weld that stainless.

[pmax]

Originally Posted by speeder

... now my car that has been sitting inside for several months ...
...

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

I'd say one of you need to find a new location.

This.
No matter what you do, there is going to be air circulating and you don't need fine metal dust inside the motor or transmission you are rebuilding. I'd also be worried about the abrasiveness of the stuff on your paint as well. Cleaning it off is all fine and dandy but you are still dragging it across the paint as you clean. Finally, I don't want to put into my lungs whatever that black stuff is.

[Zeke]

Welding and woodworking are two occupations I can think of that are best done in a dedicated space with no other work. I do minor machining inside where there are normally 2 cars and once in a while I will briefly use the metal band saw or belt grinder. I know better that to use a disc grinder inside with cars.

What little I do shows up on the car like it's a magnet. I do my woodworking outside under a carport and I have to keep the man door to the garage closed. Fine dust, metal or wood seems to float suspended and go wherever.