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I am new to O/A welding and I have a safety question. A year ago mice ate a hole in a waste oil container causing a spill that covered the corner of the garage that I need to use for the O/A tanks. I cleaned up the liquid oil then, but there is a clear stain on the floor and on shelves about 6' away.Will this be a safety problem when I crack the valve on the oxygen tank? I will be welding 10' or so from this space. Should I be concerned about the residue and how it might interact with the oxygen?
Reply:Everything in the shop I work at is covered in oil..Floors..Everything!50 years worth..It don't stop us from welding and cutting at all..You are NOT supposed to use oil on the gauges...Should be a Non Issue......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterYou are NOT supposed to use oil on the gauges...Should be a Non Issue...
Reply:Have an extinguisher handy and put a torch to the stain. If it don't catch your good to go. If it does, you'll burn it off, then your good to go!!!!I'm sure it's fine. My gloves have oil on them from handling cold rolled. I can still count to 6......200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:From my own limited experience ,putting a torch flame to the floor is a bad idea.Moisture in the floor turns to steam instantly and blows small hunks of concrete into your face.Kinda gets your attention .I've done it twice accidentily.Once cutting off concrete anchors and once setting a flywheel on the floor and heating the ring gear to expand it and remove it.Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:Anything directly exposed to pure O2 can have it's flashpoint lowered. Oil on fittings, and in hoses become much more dangerous because of the fact that there is a source of compression involved. Otherwise if you have good ventalation, there really should no problem. Confined spaces, leaks at the O2 fitting on the cutting tourch going up the shirt sleeve would be a red flag. It's a real good question, and there is alot more to say in order to protect yourself and others that may be around you. My advice would be to never get complacent about O2, do a little more research to get a good understanding of what kind of changes start to take place when pure O2 is present. Maybe talk to the boys at the welding supply, or ASTM web site.
Reply:In your case I agree it should be a non issue. You would be amazed how many time I've had to crawl inside of machines with that had puddles of oil everywhere and use a cutting torch. Stain on the floor are nothing. If in doubt throw some floor dry on it. Once oil is absorbed in floor dry if it does burn it will burn like a candle rather than flashing off.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:A lot of the boats I work with have oily bilges. We haven't succeeded in setting one on fire yet. Sparks alone won't light the oil. They will light rags, life jackets, battery boxes, paint chips, jeans, and other welders on fire. Just keep a some means of extinguishing the fire nearby so you can put it out before it gets big.
Reply:Originally Posted by jpump5From my own limited experience ,putting a torch flame to the floor is a bad idea.Moisture in the floor turns to steam instantly and blows small hunks of concrete into your face.Kinda gets your attention .I've done it twice accidentily.Once cutting off concrete anchors and once setting a flywheel on the floor and heating the ring gear to expand it and remove it.
Reply:Thanks for all the advice. made my first set of cuts in 1/4" last night and alls well. Havi8ng never used anything better than an angle grinder to cut steel before I have to say that O/A cutting is amazing!I can't wait to get to the welding. |
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