Ventilation

[DeMars]

I am planning a multi-purpose workshop . . .

Current size slab (foundation) 20' X22'

Plans definitly call for 10' ceilings . . .

Double 3' doors on front & a single 3' door on rear . . .

Will be insulated & sound proofed . . . .

Want to be able to Air Condition it since I live in Louisiana . .

Want to do some wood working . . . . simple stuff

Welding, mostly square tube type stuff . . .

Plan to run a MIG ( Flux Core & Gas)

Stick occasionally . . . .

Plasma cutter coming soon also . . .

How much ventilation do I need for the welding . . .

Any suggestions would be appreciated . . . .

Thanks in advance,
Steve

[Rocky D]

Originally posted by DeMars
I am planning a multi-purpose workshop . . .

Current size slab (foundation) 20' X22'

Plans definitly call for 10' ceilings . . .

Double 3' doors on front & a single 3' door on rear . . .

Will be insulated & sound proofed . . . .

Want to be able to Air Condition it since I live in Louisiana . .

Want to do some wood working . . . . simple stuff

Welding, mostly square tube type stuff . . .

Plan to run a MIG ( Flux Core & Gas)

Stick occasionally . . . .

Plasma cutter coming soon also . . .

How much ventilation do I need for the welding . . .

Any suggestions would be appreciated . . . .

Thanks in advance,
Steve

With 10' ceilings a small fan near your work should be sufficient. OSHA has specifics on CFH and other stuff, but for a small home shop ventilation is not your biggest problem...it's the dust created by your wood working! wood dust is a great fire danger even when you are using a vacuum system, so plan carefully.

[dysfunction]

Originally posted by Rocky D


With 10' ceilings a small fan near your work should be sufficient. OSHA has specifics on CFH and other stuff, but for a small home shop ventilation is not your biggest problem...it's the dust created by your wood working! wood dust is a great fire danger even when you are using a vacuum system, so plan carefully.

Not only is it a fire hazard, its also a health hazard. Some wood, particularly exotic woods you might make, say... fine pieces of furniture from are toxic. And the floury dust that floats in the air's great for causing all sorts of damage to your lungs.

[Roger]

Plasma cutters fill air with incredable amount of fine particals. Abrasive cut off wheels not much better. Best do that outside. In Louisiana I would plan on covered patio with outlets for welder and grinders. Protection from sun, and rain with good air flow but able to block wind as needed. Often welders are placed next to door for welding outside but with AC better to take welders outside. Welding steel inside now and then isn't big problem. Stainless steel or zinc coated steel welding needs local exhaust or outside.

[Mowjunk]

Steve, this is what I have:

20x24 metal building with 10ft ceiling
8x9 ft garage door and 3 ft regular door (both on front)
insulated and air conditioned and
in Louisiana.

When I grind or cut with a torch or abrasive saw, I roll my cutting table outside, weather permitting. If it's raining, I get close to the open door with a fan blowing outwards and then grind or cut. For welding with the stick or flux core, I get right in the doorway with it open and usually do the fan thing also. For tig and mig, I usually don't open the door, but I have the AC on 'exhaust'. I don't recommend using the 'exhaust' with woodworking. I don't think the AC would handle the dust well over the long haul.

Hope this helps you with your decision............

[Will]

Mowjunk,
I havn't seen any updates on welding with your new 180SD. How are you doing with it? Still happy with it?

[Mowjunk]

Will, thanks for asking....Yep, I still like it a lot. I was busy building a cart for it. I'm still not done with the cart, but it won't be long. Since I had never done any tig welding before, I don't really have any experience to judge by. However, I haven't had anything happen with it that I don't like.....yet!

Russell had gotten his also, but he must be using it a lot, because he has been on here just a couple of times since he got it. Last I heard, he liked his also......

[dysfunction]

BTW I run a penn states air cleaner (dual bag and motor) when Im working with wood or metal. It filters out the grinder dust nicely too, along with a lot of the smoke

[dysfunction]

I dont run the DC when welding, just the ambient air filter. That works well and cleans easily enough. I started running it when I noticed that I'd get sinus infections shortly after serious grinding/cutting unless it was done outside