Outdoor beading

[x_phoenician]

Hi, I'm a "newbie" with a question about working outside. Do I need to worry about ventilation hoods/boxes and fans if I am working outside? I've been doing it in the basement up until the past few days when I read about how dangerous it is without the proper equipment. Thank God I found this site! My mom had two fans set up in the basement- a tiny one clamped to the rafter above to suck the air away and a small tabletop fan in front of our sliding doors to blow it on out. After reading some posts on here I've realized how pathetic that setup was.
So what if I set a worktable up outside on our deck? It's off the 2nd floor, lattice around the edges but other than that pretty open- no awning,etc. We are only using the little tanks of MAPP gas and a hothead torch.

Thanks, Tracy

[MikeAurelius]

The only thing to be concerned about would be pooling of combustion by-products in front of your face. If you use a low velocity fan blowing from behind over your shoulder at an angle, that will provide enough air movement to draft away any pooling that might occur.

Try to avoid back drafts when there is a breeze blowing the fumes (and flame) back into your face. Be sure that no one can approach the back side of the flame, only from behind and the sides.

[Mr. Smiley]

I find that a fan under the table, kinda blowing on my lap provides the best circulation for my face. It travels up my stomach and straight up my face. That way, I'm getting fresh air flow and it doesn't make my flame flicker. :D

[x_phoenician]

Thanks Mike and Mr. Smiley. Glad our deck is on the 2nd floor so the neighbors can't see me sitting there with a fan under the table.
Now why are those Ebay "reflectoporners" suddenly popping into my head? AGH! I knew I shouldn't have looked at those pics. ;-)

[Terri-S]

Try to avoid back drafts when there is a breeze blowing the fumes (and flame) back into your face. Be sure that no one can approach the back side of the flame, only from behind and the sides.

Hi Mike.

I'm confused. No one can approach from the back side of the flame, only from behind and the sides?

Thanks for clarifying for this newbie.

[MikeAurelius]

Yes - you don't want anyone walking into the flame do you?

[Terri-S]

So the back side of the flame would mean someone coming toward me and the torch? I think I get it now...Thanks!

And to answer your question, in most cases, no... :twisted: