Welding safety

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I have a welder, plasma cutter, chop saw and grinder all of which put off a ton of sparks.   My wife thinks I'm going to burn down my house and I would hate to.  Would fire retardant tarps almost like a u or square be enough to manage the sparks.   Any other ideas as far as how to make her feel better about my hobby in the garage? Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Reply:Cover the walls in ceramic tiles, or 16 gage sheet metal. Install fire suppression system. Move the welding into the yard or onto the driveway when possible, using the garage for storage of the equipment, only. Employ HER as fire watch whenever you want to do any welding. Have several fire extinguishers handy. Build a separate standalone metal shop building in the back yard somewhere, with electrical service installed.
Reply:3/8" sheetrock works well too. Mud and tape the joints and make sure to close the gaps at the floor. Also lightens up the place too.
Reply:I keep a fire extinguisher handy, weld and cut outside, and hang around for at least a half hour after I quit welding and cutting. Also, don't forget to keep flammables far away from this type of work.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:My welder doesn't reach outside guess a extension cord is needed.   Garage is finished so no exposed wood.  Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Reply:Biggest issue with garages is clutter and dust bunnies that hide in the corners. It's pretty tough to light up a clean empty garage. It's also almost impossible to keep an empty garage empty... .No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Divorce ?
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Divorce ?
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelI keep a fire extinguisher handy, weld and cut outside, and hang around for at least a half hour after I quit welding and cutting. Also, don't forget to keep flammables far away from this type of work.
Reply:I find the main thing is watching where your sparks go.Nothing worse than on the windshield of your bosses truck.I use small to large pieces of metal roofing, and some old leathers and welding gloves.That is very important, as all of us are judged on how safely we weld, just as important as welding.
Reply:Besides all of the above I always have a garden hose connected, turned on, and ready. A five gallon bucket of water is handy too. IF you have a FLOOR DRAIN in garage COVER it up. You never know, not to mention the obvious for removing all flammables especially if you have some oily rags laying around. Always quit welding earlier enough to do a post area check just to make sure nothing is smoking. Welding blankets are handy too. Depending on what you are welding on, masonite or plywood sheets on floor with a welding blanket on top may help too. You can never be too safe. Watch how you direct the sparks from a grinder too. Those suckers do travel and GET IN EVERYTHING. It's not a good idea to shoot sparks t your ox/act torch hose either.   I do welding and grinding in livestock areas. I always soak the entire area down even though you try to remove the straw or hay there is always some around.
Reply:If your garage is finished, I'm assuming you have drywall aka Sheetrock on the walls. Sheetrock is fire retardant and will not burn. If the joints are taped and mudded you and your wife have nothing to worry about. I always have a good size class ABC fire extinguisher handy in my shop. Keep the area clean and clear of burnable materials and just use common sense.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeI always have a good size class ABC fire extinguisher handy in my shop.
Reply:The old style h2o extinguishers are not the best to use on flammable liquids like gas or oil. Class ABC is by far the most versatile extinguisher. They also work for flammable liquids and an electric fire.Last edited by snoeproe; 06-09-2014 at 07:48 AM.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeThe old style h2o extinguishers are not the best to use on flammable liquids like gas or oil. Class ABC is by far the most versatile extinguisher. They also work for flammable liquids and an electric fire.
Reply:Seems like the safest place for me to be would be outside my garage while welding.   Does anyone know the best place to get a 220 extension cord? Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by newbe1977Seems like the safest place for me to be would be outside my garage while welding.   Does anyone know the best place to get a 220 extension cord? Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Reply:Man nice garage judgelessSent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Reply:Get a CO2 and a water extinguisher. Use water on anything that isnt liquid or energized or to spray angry customers with, use CO2 on everything else.ABC extinguisher powder gets everywhere, makes a huge mess and you can only use them once and they have to be serviced.Pressurized water, you can service your self. With CO2 you can use one or 2 squirts of CO2 and put it away.If you use an ABC extinguisher once, you wont want to do it again.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Too bad you aren't closer.  I've got enough aluminum diamond plate to panel your garage several time over.Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:That Garage looks like a museum. I could only wish for such clean. Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:: Originally Posted by GravelKnow why divorce is so expensive? Because it is worth it!
Reply:Originally Posted by JudgelessHome Depot or Lowes sells the cable and connectors.  That is the cheapest. I keep the garage clean.  Here is a pic.
Reply:Originally Posted by storemanToo bad you aren't closer.  I've got enough aluminum diamond plate to panel your garage several time over.Jerry
Reply:The structural guys around here often carry the new Cold Fire style extinguishers. http://www.coldfire.biz/They are ABC but have a strong cooling effect too. Much less nasty on the lungs than a dry chemical extinguisher. I have 4 scattered around the garage and house, they are small (compared to same reting dry chemical) and easy to have sitting nearby.Originally Posted by newbe1977Seems like the safest place for me to be would be outside my garage while welding.   Does anyone know the best place to get a 220 extension cord?
Reply:Originally Posted by newbe1977My welder doesn't reach outside guess a extension cord is needed.   Garage is finished so no exposed wood.  Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Reply:Az not much wind Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk