Welding Fume Extractors

[wh500special 2,338]

We're about to undertake a pretty large welding project at work on a scale that we're not used to doing. We already weld a lot in the shop - aluminum and steel - but this is of a larger scale and will be a continuous operation. Presently, area ventilation is adequate, but it won't be for this project.

I'd like to get some means of controlling the weld fumes. I've not checked the OSHA/NIOSH specific requirements yet, but our local regulatory team is mostly interested in just making the effort. MO EPA doesn't regulate this activity on our scale (yet).

Any of you pro welders have anything good or bad to say about any of these products from personal experience?

Lincoln: Lincoln Extractor

Miller: Miller fume extractor

Torit: Donaldson-Torit Extractor

Grizzly: Grizzly fume extractor

I need to stay portable since the assemblies we'll be making are large and the guys will be crawling around them (in other words, this isn't a bench operation where I can hood the area). We need the arms since much of the work will be elevated 6' or so above ground and other welds will be at floor level. This will all be MIG and TIG, so I hate to set up a breeze in the shop with excessive general ventilation since the welders tell me that we don't want to blow the sheilding gas away. And I hate to smoke up the shop in places where we're NOT welding.

Cost isn't a primary issue since this is a safety thing and is something we have to suck up, but I'm trying to stay under $8000 per unit. I have been extremely pleased with all the Grizzly tools I have ever used, so threw them into the mix as a cost leader. Our local distributors for Lincoln and Miller aren't the best guys to work with, so I am not married to anything from either of them (all of our welders are currently Millers).

Mostly, I am trying to head off problems before they crop up. Often it is just the gesture that goes a few miles in keeping people happy and feeling warm and fuzzy. Everybody in our shop are cigarette smokers which puts them at elevated risk to welding fumes...and that habit means workplace concerns are greater and my headaches are bigger. Gotta find a way to get these guys to kick the habit...

The ironic thing is that we already manufacture air handlers and filtration systems for chem/bio contamination. But we don't have time to do that for this project. I can see us making our own units in the long term, but I just don't have the time for that right now.

I welcome any feedback if you have personal experience with any of these machines.

Steve