is welding in a street on a bed of bricks safe?

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Hi,My brother wants to weld some aluminum poles together.  He bought a oxy propyline torch, and a helmet.  He doesn't have a steel table, and his workshop is cluttered with saws and other tables.  He knows nothing about welding.When I pointed out he could start a fire, he said that he has a cul de sac behind his house, and could make a bed of bricks and weld the poles on top of that.Is this as bad an idea as it sounds?Thanks,Gidmeister
Reply:Bricks with portland cement are not safe past 1200 degrees. If you dont get them that hot, you are fine. If you do, you can make them explode. The exact temp will vary depending on the brick but fire bricks are not made with cement but rather clay. I have fire bricks in my forge and they get absolutely glowing and a cement brick would blow up.
Reply:Originally Posted by yorzaxtBricks with portland cement are not safe past 1200 degrees. If you dont get them that hot, you are fine. If you do, you can make them explode. The exact temp will vary depending on the brick but fire bricks are not made with cement but rather clay. I have fire bricks in my forge and they get absolutely glowing and a cement brick would blow up.
Reply:Fire bricks left outside and exposed to moisture are more likely to explode than cement pavers.  Cement pavers will NOT explode when exposed to a torch flame.  Some chips may pop off the surface (it's called spalling), and nothing dangerous will happen if you're wearing safety glasses.He's sure in for an experience, if he's never tried welding aluminum before.
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanFire bricks left outside and exposed to moisture are more likely to explode than cement pavers.  Cement pavers will NOT explode when exposed to a torch flame.  Some chips may pop off the surface (it's called spalling), and nothing dangerous will happen if you're wearing safety glasses.He's sure in for an experience, if he's never tried welding aluminum before.
Reply:Originally Posted by gidmeisterHi,My brother wants to weld some aluminum poles together.  He bought a oxy propyline torch, and a helmet.  He doesn't have a steel table, and his workshop is cluttered with saws and other tables.  He knows nothing about welding.When I pointed out he could start a fire, he said that he has a cul de sac behind his house, and could make a bed of bricks and weld the poles on top of that.Is this as bad an idea as it sounds?Thanks,Gidmeister
Reply:Yeah, he would only maybe loose an eye or something. No biggie. Go for it.
Reply:Thanks for all your replies.  I really appreciate it.-- Gidmeister
Reply:Originally Posted by yorzaxtFire bricks are impervious to water. They are fired at usually 3000+ degrees Fahrenheit and they resist things very well. On the other hand they are extremely heavy and extremely expensive. You can expect them to have 4 times the weight of a concrete paver and cost 7 to 8 dollars american each. The core flame of an OA torch, by the way, can get near 5000.There is a mantra of aluminum metal casting that you NEVER EVER pour over a concrete or concrete paver floor because it is so dangerous, it is stupid. My main hobby is blacksmithing and not only do I use firebricks a hell of a lot, I get them wet with water, brine and oil all the time. They are very very solid. The floor of my forge is solid hard fire brick and it glows at over 1500 degrees when the forge is running hot at around 2200 degrees. Quenching liquids get all over them all the time.
Reply:Does anybody here honestly think he is going to hurt himself in a brick explosion while attempting to weld some plate together?  Out in the field we weld on all kinds of surfaces.  I haven't had problems with any of them blowing up.  The worst thing you'll get is spalling where pieces of the brick will fracture off the surface.  But, you're already wearing eye protection because you're welding so this really isn't much of a danger.
Reply:Originally Posted by 76GMC1500Does anybody here honestly think he is going to hurt himself in a brick explosion while attempting to weld some plate together?  Out in the field we weld on all kinds of surfaces.  I haven't had problems with any of them blowing up.  The worst thing you'll get is spalling where pieces of the brick will fracture off the surface.  But, you're already wearing eye protection because you're welding so this really isn't much of a danger.
Reply:Damn, didn't see your post.  I will pass the credit for common sense on to you.
Reply:Originally Posted by 76GMC1500Damn, didn't see your post.  I will pass the credit for common sense on to you.