brazing ventilation

[prolix21]

I recently moved into a new house and am working on getting a small shop space setup in the basement where I can do some practice brazing and build the occasional frame or two. Mostly lugged frames.

I'd like to use my oxy-acetylene torch down there but I'm wondering what sort of ventilation I should have for it. I've got a corner where I have two decent sized basement windows that open, but I'm not sure if that's enough on its own. I think it was here or maybe the framebuilders list where I saw some people discussing using more elaborate fan setups or oven hoods to exhaust fumes when working in a basement. Wondering how much an issue this is for occasional short term use or what precautions I should take to make sure I'm not filling my house with CO

[e-RICHIE]

Two windows should be fine. If you're making a frame every now and then, the exposure to waste products during the very short periods of actual torch time will not affect you, assuming your nose isn't in the burn-off. A fan drawing the fumes away from the work is a good idea. For production work, or prolonged activity, get a ventilation system atmo.

[Andrew R Stewart]

I have two basement windows for my shop's venting too. Both have a plywood face with two coaxial fans mounted (4 total). I used common heating ductwork to have a top of ceiling drawing vent and the other draws at about waist high. I also have a roll down plastic "curtain" to further restrict the flow of stinky stuff. The brazing area ends up as a three closed sides and one open side. Andy.

[Mark Stonich]

I made a simple vent setup years ago with clothes dryer and HVAC bits. I installed a blower from an old dryer in the ceiling joists and vented it out the side of my house using a standard dryer vent. The intake is a heat duct from Home Depot mounted on a stand adjustable for height. It's small so I have to have it close to the work. I didn't want to exhaust too much air because I didn't want to suck a lot of cold air into the house to replace it. And at the time I had an older, non-power vented hot water header. When I'd tried a box fan blowing out the window I was backdrafting the water heater.

Vent4.jpgVent3.jpgVent2.jpgVent1.jpg

Since I pulled the motor and blower out of an old dryer I doubt I've got $50 in the whole setup.

I also use a 3M disposable welding fume mask. It's not CO I'm worried about, but flux fumes. Though according to a Pulmonologist friend the dust from our Aluminum Oxide 80 grit is probably an even bigger danger. And breathing aluminum dust has been strongly linked to early onset Alzheimers.

[e-RICHIE]

I made <cut>

Nice to see you here Mark atmo.

[Mark Stonich]

Thanks, I haven't built anything in years except for a cargo trailer. Got a few lovely British bikes that suit me so well I've no need build anything for myself. But I'd like to build Jane a new stepthrough if I can find the time. The crank shortening business is a full time job since triathletes started using them.