garage ventilation

[Auto_Tech]

I've switched to a 3M Speedglas Helmet / Respirator -- the only problem I'd point out is visibility out the viewing area is not as clean / clear as Miller's Digital and Lincoln's Viking advanced helmets.

[Sberry]

I got a couple ways but this is a stick weld booth.

[MAC702]

If you are using an exhaust fan, from where is the make-up air coming into the space?

[Amofred9]

In my little one's garage, I installed a bathroom exhaust fan after read a review from hvaclifehack. Due to my flat, insulated ceiling, the fan is located in the attic space on top. The fan has a one-way air valve/flap, and the exhaust point at the gable has another. This prevents cold air from entering. A duct is just an abs pipe surrounded in insulation to prevent heat loss through the ceiling in winter.

[jab317]

Awesome, thanks for all the advice, and thanks for the pictures @CDUB67. I’ve decided to do a similar thing to what you showed. I’m just using a inline duct fan with flex hose leading to my welding area and the another flex hose running out the door. It was the most affordable thing I could find, and it seems to do the trick.

[Burnt hands]

Some photos which may help.
I would be careful to use alum flex hose to minimize fire risk and keep a spray bottle of water handy.
Only takes one spark.

[Metjunkie]

I do the same as cdub67, except I use a harbor freight ventilator with an 8 ft. piece of flexible ducting. Living in Arizona, I don't have to worry about cold temps, so I just open the back door to the garage and set the ventilator on the door step. Works well.

[CDUB67]

Not to beat a dead horse, but here are some pics of the setup I described. Good luck.

[ryanjones2150]

Holding my breathe....That’s what I do and look at me, I’m perfectly normal.

[jab317]

Thanks guys, I’ll see what I can make. I definitely can’t afford a real fume extractor lol. And @snoeproe I don’t weld outside because during the winter it’s between like 10 degrees and negative 20 Fahrenheit, so it’s pretty miserable to weld in.

[CDUB67]

I just installed a DIY setup in my garage. I'm in MA and don't want to lose my heat every time I weld so I popped out a window pane, inserted a piece of plywood, and installed an iLiving shuttered 900 CFM exhaust fan from Home Depot. I attached a 10" round HVAC duct behind it with a 25' hose from Amazon clamped on. Then I attached a pet recovery cone from Amazon to the other end and strapped the hose to the ceiling with bungie cords and can move it anywhere I need it in my 2 car garage. The whole thing cost me about $180 and it works great.

[MAC702]

Holding your breath is cheaper.

[snoeproe]

There’s no keeping the heat in in winter and removing the smoke unless you get a commercial air filtration unit installed. That isn’t going to be cheap.
Why not weld outside?

[Bushytails]

I've contemplated a DIY fume extractor using large carbon filters. They're cheap or free around here, and often come with attached inline fans. Just need to rig up an adjustable arm on the inlet...

[Electric4Life]

Your best option is to eliminate all electric welding that requires flux. Not sure what you plan on welding but without more info TIG welding any clean material is a good option.