Welding in Apartment Garage

admin

So, I picked up a Miller 135 and want to start practicing. I live in an apartment complex. I do have a garage, but the only power source is the plug for the garage door opener. So I'm wondering how many people have done their welding from their apartment garage. Anything I should consider before starting? Im waiting to hear back from the apartment owners for permission, but if they say no, do you think it would be possible to take the welder to the community college (where I am a student.. although not in welding but engineering) or somewhere else? (any suggestions on this)Thanks for the advice,Sam
Reply:A generator? If a residential 110v. wall outlet is sufficient, then you should have no problem finding a generator that can handle it. (That is based on lack of info.)"SOUTHPAW" A wise person learns from another persons mistakes;A smart person learns from their own mistakes;But, a stupid person.............never learns.
Reply:Originally Posted by papabearA generator? If a residential 110v. wall outlet is sufficient, then you should have no problem finding a generator that can handle it. (That is based on lack of info.)
Reply:Rojo I think the idea was to run a standard 110v mig from a standard genset rather than a dedicated welder/generator.  I do agree that the land lord probably will take a dim view of welding in the garage. While they may not hike the rent, you can bet that they will probably want to have you sign a paper stating that welding is not permitted on the premises..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:Originally Posted by thehuskybearIm waiting to hear back from the apartment owners for permission, but if they say no...
Reply:Well I appreciate the replies so far. I haven't actually asked the owners.. just waiting for them to call me. So maybe it be better that I wait to get chewed out (wouldnt be the first or last time lol)? The only people that would see me welding is the maintenance guys and Im pretty cool with them. I noticed today that all the garages in each section (maybe a total of 10 per section) are on one circuit breaker that is not locked. Should I check to see what the breaker is rated for? Also, what should I do to prevent any safety hazards besides the normal safety prep? I don't actually have much room inside the garage to work, so I will be doing most of the stuff by or outside of the door. I have an  small fire extinquiser from my boat that says it charged and there are fullsized one on either side of my garage within 10 ft.. is there anything else I can do to prevent a fire.. Id hate to be the a-hole to burn down the whole complex lolThanks for the advice guys.Figures... I've always lived in houses with decent oversized garages and 220v and I finally get around to buying a welder after I end up here hahaSam
Reply:The biggest thing is common sense as far as safety. Keep rags and flammables like gas or paint and thinners away. Clean up sawdust. leaves etc...Sparks can go a long ways and end up places you might not expect. My garage is packed. I do all my mig and stick welding in the drive by the door because of how far sparks and spatter can go. I usually will keep the door closed so that spatter and sparks don't find their way in unnoticed to start smoldering in leaves that always seem to blow in and get caught in the stuff piled by the main door. I also usually never leave until it's been at least 1/2 an hour since I stopped, that way I'm sure if something does decide to flare up I am still there to deal with it. Usually I use that time to put tools away, clean and prep for paint, or just do a quick straightening in the garage that aways seems to need it more regardless how much I do. That or just do basic maintenance on the truck while I wait, check the oil, wash the windows, clean the cab, etc..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:in addition to a fire extinguishers, i have a fire alarm in the opposite end of my garage and i do my welding in a corner that i keep clean and free of combustibles. i've got a welding blanket hanging on a wire and use it to seal of the corner while welding and grinding. in addition to this i try to end my welding sessions cleaning stuff up for 10 minutes or so, to decrease the risk of a smoldering fire developing after i left.1+ on not asking permission. by approving such a request, the landlord would become liable should you end up torching his other tenants, and your chances are about as good as if you had asked to fabricate meth amphetamine in your bathroom. its best for you and your landlord if you use your own best judgement whether you can safely and discretely do your welding there. good to hear you take the safety aspect seriously considering that an accident could have consequences for  property and lives of others.dsw, you beat me to it Last edited by d94jonca; 02-27-2010 at 10:15 PM.if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat - 2 Thessalonians 3:10
Reply:d94jonca Your comment on the smoke detector got me thinking. Having accidentaly set off a monitered alarm working in a home with dust, it's something to really think about in an apartment complex. Usually once the alarm sounds the fire department MUST respond. They get real cranky about false alarms that could have been prevented, especially if you are doing things the land lord might not care for. Stick and FC wire create a decent amount of smoke. They'd be a bad choice in an interior garage with smpke alarms. Usually the fire marshal expresses his displeasure at people covering up alarms with VERY large fines. Just ask some of the kids in the dorms at college about this. Plain wire mig and tig are not as big an issue with this..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:I didn't notice a smoke detector in there, but I will have to check.. that is something to consider since I plan to work with flux until I actually start some projects
Reply:Originally Posted by thehuskybearI noticed today that all the garages in each section (maybe a total of 10 per section) are on one circuit breaker that is not locked. Should I check to see what the breaker is rated for?Sam
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWRojo I think the idea was to run a standard 110v mig from a standard genset rather than a dedicated welder/generator.  I do agree that the land lord probably will take a dim view of welding in the garage. While they may not hike the rent, you can bet that they will probably want to have you sign a paper stating that welding is not permitted on the premises.
Reply:As a person who has irritated more than one landlord I think this is a bad idea.  Everyone has listed good ideas but there is another issue here. Landlords talk to each other so you could really be screwing yourself. Find a like minded buddy with a house. Hone your skills there. Good luck man.