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Tue, 31 Aug 2021 15:35:40 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Home / Garage Shop

Well Here is my humble attempt to make a space in my two car garage so I can practice my welding and eventually make some projects.  I purchased the table from a fellow member.  It is 3' x 3' with a 1" top.  -I got the three curtains brand new for $30 on craigslist.  -Made the curtain frames with PVC for about $15-Traded a Squire Bass for the Lincoln AC225 "Buzz Box"I would love to get some constructive criticism on how I can make it better.  I want to get a horizontal/vertical band saw and put it to the left of the open door along with a drill press.  I have the fire extinguisher on the opposite side of the garage.  Also want to get an fan for ventilation to draw out any fumes.  Would love to see some of the other members home/garage shops.  So feel free to post. Put some cement board over the drywall.  Plan on doing it to the rest of the drywall in that area that is not covered by the curtain.I need one more curtain to put outside the door.  The neighbors have second story windows and have a view into my garage so i don't want them looking into the arc.  Do I really need the curtain behind the table on the drywall or is drywall pretty fire retardant?Last edited by TheArcBishop; 07-24-2011 at 11:45 PM.
Reply:I can tell you that stick welding can spread sparks ALL over that concrete floor. you will find that red hot sparks will dance across the concrete. I don't have a solution for you, but be aware that it happens.So if you have a lawnmower gas can sitting on the floor across the room, it is a hazard. You might be surprised how far they go.Also, any type of fuel can be set off. Such as vapors from a lawnmower gas tank and such. But nice little setup! I love those buzzboxes.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Thanks Joker I am picking up a metal cabinet to store my gas can and any paint etc this week. Will that be good enough to store these items in?  Also should I leave the curtain on the drywall or can I take it down and make another frame for it to use elsewhere?  Thanks for the advice
Reply:That curtain probably does more to shield eyes than fire. I am not a contractor, but most garages are drywalled with 5/8 inch fire rated. I am not telling you not to do what you do. I am doing the same thing inside my garage but using TIG.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:That Lincoln looks pretty familiar... My shop is in 1and1/2 stall of the garage.  Formerly my woodworking shop so I still have table, band, and other saws.Concrete floor.  Walls are drywall and alot of pegboard on that.  I am very careful when welding.  I live a few blocks from the fire station that I retired out of.  Don't even wanta think about the abuse I would get if I ever had to call them...Also, the little girl, your daughter? is adorable. Attached Images(Retired) Professional firefighter, amateur everything else I try to do...Oh yeah:  Go Big Red!   (You know: one of the 12 members of the Big 10 cuz we left the 10 members of the Big 12...)
Reply:The only thing I don't see is ventilation.  If the door is open, you might be fine.  But those curtains will restrict airflow.  I've got a fold-down bench in my garage.  I put a high volume fan in the ceiling above it and I covered plywood in the area I'd be welding with aluminum flashing.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:I believe OSHA says 25' for arc flash protection.  Your neighbors across the street are going to be fine.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Nice start ArcBishop but where are the fire extinguishers? Didn't see a single one in any of those pics. You might want to have a couple handy. I guess that table isn't going anywhere. Nice acquisition.Others have said it before but it bears repeating. It you're going to do any grinding at all you are going to find out very quickly that the dust/metal fragments will end up everywhere. Those curtains are pretty sharp but they won't keep the grinding dust in your welding area.  Trust me on that one. As you probably know, its nasty stuff. Nice finishes on cars/bikes and moving parts really take a beating in an environment where any grinding takes place so be prepared for some problems.Have fun!P.S. Do you miss your bass? Hope you have another.
Reply:I ran my fab shop out of a wood frame building for the first 20yrs.  Only thing that ever caught fire was a paper towel and sparks from a grinder did that.As you stated keep the fuel in a metal cabinet on the other side of the work area and you'll be fine.  I'd certainly mount a extinguisher close by.The key to working in a wood frame shop is housekeeping.Stick welding IS going to send crap everywhere under and maybe over those screens.  So will grinding.  Again, housekeeping will be your biggest safety precaution.Cladding the wall by the table with some thin sheet metal would be a good idea.Gorgeous little girl
Reply:You are off to a great start and obviously very safety conscious. I too started with a Tomestone buzzbox just like yours and it was the only welder I had for many years. I think I'm a better welder for starting out on stick. You really learn the basics. One thing I noticed about your welding table, although small and very stout, your space is very limited by your vise. You might think about mounting it on a receiver hitch type mount so you can get it out of the way. Good Luck.
Reply:Im  guessing thats ur daughter  in the first pic  .     such   a cutie .          dont forget   to get her a welding helmet  ,   gloves and jacket   . never hurts to start  them young !>Innovations are what i leave behind for History
Reply:5th foto, the cement board..you have to coverany flat wood.... where the joists rest on the wall.. you are underestimating the spark issue.........
Reply:hm  table looks familiar hope it works well for you,  good luck, and drop by some time.Ron
Reply:Originally Posted by Joker11That curtain probably does more to shield eyes than fire. I am not a contractor, but most garages are drywalled with 5/8 inch fire rated. I am not telling you not to do what you do. I am doing the same thing inside my garage but using TIG.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welding_SwedeNice start ArcBishop but where are the fire extinguishers? Didn't see a single one in any of those pics. You might want to have a couple handy. I guess that table isn't going anywhere. Nice acquisition.Others have said it before but it bears repeating. It you're going to do any grinding at all you are going to find out very quickly that the dust/metal fragments will end up everywhere. Those curtains are pretty sharp but they won't keep the grinding dust in your welding area.  Trust me on that one. As you probably know, its nasty stuff. Nice finishes on cars/bikes and moving parts really take a beating in an environment where any grinding takes place so be prepared for some problems.Have fun!P.S. Do you miss your bass? Hope you have another.
Reply:Originally Posted by strube1369That Lincoln looks pretty familiar... My shop is in 1and1/2 stall of the garage.  Formerly my woodworking shop so I still have table, band, and other saws.Concrete floor.  Walls are drywall and alot of pegboard on that.  I am very careful when welding.  I live a few blocks from the fire station that I retired out of.  Don't even wanta think about the abuse I would get if I ever had to call them...Also, the little girl, your daughter? is adorable.
Reply:I don't see how welding sparks could ignite drywall, they would just bounce off onto the floor. I would think in order to start a fire a spark would have to drop down and nestle in something flammable, like wood, rags or paper.Also, if you line the walls with sheet metal would you have to paint it a dark color to prevent flash burns?Miller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:Nice set up. If you are a Marine , Thank you for your service and my freedom.
Reply:[QUOTE=bigb;536654. I would think in order to start a fire a spark would have to drop down and nestle in something flammable, like wood, rags or paper.Also, if you line the walls with sheet metal would you have to paint it a dark color to prevent flash burns?[/QUOTE]seems to me that 6010 throws the most sparks...when you consider that it probably throws thousands of sparks a minute its just a matter of time until a spark finds something that will burn..
Reply:Originally Posted by jimsonYou’re a retired firemen and you arc weld in there? Seriously?Nice setup ArcBishop, very cute helper.
Reply:Originally Posted by pipehackNice set up. If you are a Marine , Thank you for your service and my freedom.
Reply:That right there is a stout little table! Setup looks good, but yes, as mentioned: once you get a glob of molten metal to fall the 3-5 feet to the floor, it has a tendency to explode all over the damn place. Looks like a nice, tidy, clean setup... for now...
Reply:Flammable vapors WILL get out of a metal cabinet and can cause an explosion!  A plain old metal cabinet will not offer much in the way of protection as far as gas cans are concerned.  Best to keep them stored in a separate building away from any welding activities.  Also one very important thing that is often overlooked is a 30 minute fire watch after welding (or any spark generating activity) ends.     strube1369, you are one lucky SOB to still have a shop if you do much welding in or even close to that shop!"The man of great wealth owes a peculiar obligation to the State, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government."  Teddy RooseveltAmerican by birth, Union by choice!  Boilermakers # 60America is a Union.
Reply:Originally Posted by slow6iThat right there is a stout little table! Setup looks good, but yes, as mentioned: once you get a glob of molten metal to fall the 3-5 feet to the floor, it has a tendency to explode all over the damn place. Looks like a nice, tidy, clean setup... for now...
Reply:I forgot to mention that if you need to cut any metal let me know my band saw gets a little lonely sometimes and would enjoy the work.RonOriginally Posted by Ron PadillaI forgot to mention that if you need to cut any metal let me know my band saw gets a little lonely sometimes and would enjoy the work.Ron
Reply:what non-flammable material are the curtains made of? They look like vinyl shower curtains !?miller syncrowave 250hobart handler 140home made 400 amp engine driven in progress...
Reply:Originally Posted by jdchmielwhat non-flammable material are the curtains made of? They look like vinyl shower curtains !?