protection for area around welding site

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I am new to welding.  Struck my first arcs last weekend and in 15 minutes I felt confident enough to weld a couple little projects which turned out pretty good (good enough for what they are for anyway).  Still need more (LOTS more) practice.  However I am in deep deep doo doo with the wife.  I bought brand new welding gloves and auto-darkening helmet.  Took great care to cover all exposed skin.  However my weld area is a DOOR w/vise on two saw horses in the back yard.  I spent just over 30 min total welding (about 4 hours real time in yard).  Cleaned up and when I went out the next day .. ALL the grass surrounding where the welding was done has turned brown and I am forbidden to weld in the yard.  What should I put on the ground to protect the grass?  Anyone know if that grass will come back to green or will I be re-seeding the area and sleeping on couch for a while?dmac257
Reply:I hope you have a fire extinguisher, just in case the yard goes up..The make weld blankets that stop the sparks from buring what's underneath them.. I would set up plywood, place on the ground, then cover with the welding blankets. The grass will be flat,but not burnt..I had do to something similar on a project of ours where it involved a brand new basketball floor. We used plastic tarps,plywood,then rolls of fire blanket..   To protect bystanders eyes,they make welding stand up wielding shields too..
Reply:dmac257Since you are already sleeping on the couch, I'd weld in the living room.In no time at all, your wife will order you back to the yard.Opus
Reply:Would you like to come here and weld?    I have a few areas that I would like to kill off the grass!
Reply:Something good that works to protect the grass from turning brown when you are welding/grinding is a nice slab of concrete with a roof, possibly some stone.... Make something for the wife to show her this is a useful and worth while hobby/skill.  I have made numerous coat racks from horse shoes... decorative bird houses.... hanging basket holders for the garden.... There are tons of ideas out there... Happy wife, Happy welder Lincoln Weldanpower AC/DCLincoln LN-25Miller WC-115a Miller Spoolmatic 30aCheck out my youtube TV Channel
Reply:Get some 4'x4' or 4'x8' sheets of  masonite to lay on grass and then throw a fire blanket on top. Harbor freight ones work. Could dispose of wife but that might cost a LOT OF $$$$$$$$$$$$$
Reply:Grass grows back. I'm kinda confused why it all turned brown, though.
Reply:Originally Posted by TimmyTIGGrass grows back. I'm kinda confused why it all turned brown, though.
Reply:Never heard of welding killing grass except when it catches on fire in which case it turns black rather than brown.    DAMHIKT!I suspect it might be more from trampling around on it.  It should green up from the roots if the soil has enough moisture.  If not, then just water it a bit and all should be good.If all else fails I could sell you some of the ultra secret "Goat Pasture Seed".  Ot contains about everything but grass and has proven quite impervious to any attempt to kill it or stunt it's growth.  If it does catch on fire it just comes back stronger than before! RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:Originally Posted by dmac257 I am forbidden to weld in the yard.  What should I put on the ground to protect the grass?  Anyone know if that grass will come back to green or will I be re-seeding the area and sleeping on couch for a while?dmac257
Reply:Nevermind numbnuts above.. he apparently isn't married. Every man knows who REALLY wears the pants in the family. Usually very shapely pants with a zipper from back to front. So, you are doing fine.. just get a few 4x8 sheets of plywood and put them on the ground first. If you have a driveway, do it there. LOL! The women rule the world, we are just here to spread the seed. Who doesn't know that? DOH!!!
Reply:stop pissing all over the yard and blaming the welder..
Reply:Something I did was buy one of those galvanized thin sheet metal oil drip floor pan things they sell at auto parts stores.  Theyre used to catch a leaky engine dripping oil on the driveway (another wife complaint issue).   They have a little lip on them too and prevent about 80% of the little fireballs from skidding out and away from the pan.  Mine is about 4' x 5' and you can find various sizes.  When its not in use, I store it between the garage refrigerator and the wall.  Outa sight.  They only weigh about 3lbs and cost under $20.
Reply:Weld in the driveway...Beck's Welding and Fabrication, Inc.-Misc. Metals Fabrication & Installation-
Reply:Take a pix of this putative welding site that killed the grass. I wonder if the die off was  caused by mold from all the rain.Welding produces heat and UV. To kill from heat you'd have to be  mere inches from the grass and that would be spotty and highly local.To kill from UV  - - - well I don't know if you can kill grass with UV from welding because it drops off on  maybe a log of the distance and, I should think, the heat from close proximity would be the more serious threat.  While UV can hurt plants, I don't think it's the culprit.Hey~!! It's a hobby. It's not supposed to make sense~!!
Reply:Originally Posted by TimmyTIGGrass grows back. I'm kinda confused why it all turned brown, though.