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Psa - Be Careful Whats Around You When Grinding...

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by 49T&C, Apr 24, 2022.

  1. Apr 24, 2022
    49T&C

    49T&C Member

    Archer, FL
    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2008
    Messages:
    108
    I always look around the area for paper or combustables when I weld or grind, but I guess I need to look closer. I have a section of that Metaltech 'Baker style' scaffolding in my shop that I use as a mobile work bench. I'm currently making a Mahi-Mahi chasing a couple of flying fish out of the water, and grinding down the tail of the Mahi (recycled grass-shears). On the bench is also some 0000-steel wool with a LOT of other stuff. As I'm grinding away all of a sudden under the face guard, I smell something burning. I stop and look at the bench and see little embers and smoke coming from the steel wool pad. Sure enough, the grinding sparks were aimed directly at the steel wool, which any Boy Scout will tell you is an excellent fire starter when touched by a 9 volt battery. So, lessons here is: 1) work in cleaner area. 2) pay attention to all surroundings BEFORE you start gringing. 3) always stick around a while after welding/grinding is done - look/smell, etc. Do not take it for granted that everything is going to be OK when you shut the doors of the shed. Carry on

    ...
     
  2. Apr 24, 2022
    NH Charlie

    NH Charlie Member

    New Hampshire
    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2022
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    66
    Yikes - good thing you you caught the safety issue
     
  3. Apr 24, 2022
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    14B0A41B-53BF-4549-9DE4-BD8CC9ACC42E.jpeg I can't tell you how many times I have lit my shirt on fire while grinding steel.. Generally I put it out and keep going, one time I had to take it off and let it burn out in the yard on concrete.

    A fairly dramatic accident happened when I made a scratch start TIG welder out of an AC/DC buzzbox welder. I was cleaning the parts with acetone and left the can on the table I was using to weld on. Steel topped... The tungsten got stuck in the puddle and when I yanked it out, it shot right into the metal acetone can. Now, this is in my house.. The tungsten came out and a steam of burning acetone followed. Fortunately I was wearing a leather welding jacket and gloves, so it wasn't too bad.. As I took the fire streaming can outside, it left a line of burning acetone on the floor..

    It was dramatic and really funny at the time and in retrospect..

    Just get a big fire extinguisher. I had one then and now, youre going to light stuff on fire if you do any real work occasionally. Dont panic, just put it out... No big deal, complete the work.
     
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  4. Apr 24, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    I've been there too, but please .... Don't take this stuff too lightly. That's me in the red helmet just last month.

    That white stuff on the ground is the walls of the building which were leveled in the blast.



    PL, BUS FIRE 3-3-2022.jpeg
     
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  5. Apr 24, 2022
    Downs

    Downs Rattlecan All The Things!

    Hunt County Texas
    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2020
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    579
    Why is your tailboard letting you do all the fun stuff ;P
     
  6. Apr 24, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    I'm low man on the totem pole, still have to do all the hard work. :)

    My hose stream was on a burning truck just out of frame - maybe he figured me for a blast shield?
     
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  7. Apr 24, 2022
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2020
    Messages:
    545
    I’ve had more “sniff sniff… what’s on fire? Oh, it’s me!” moments than I can count.

     
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  8. Apr 24, 2022
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    Our Daughter's hairspray or what the hell ?, caught on fire once when she was using our gas stove to cook dinner ? . We put her out , toot sweet. :clap:
    I, myself , have burned up more things than I can count using my cutting torch. Always keep a fire extinguisher close.....for the big ones :study:
     
  9. Apr 25, 2022
    CHUGALUG

    CHUGALUG Member

    Silverton, OR
    Joined:
    May 11, 2019
    Messages:
    238
    Grinder sparks will also mark windshield glass. I've sworn never to tell anyone how I know.
     
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  10. Apr 25, 2022
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2003
    Messages:
    847
    Tig welding up some bike frames and doing some grinding a few years ago. I always go back and check in an hour or two just making sure everything is OK. Went back into the shop and in the corner was a rag with just a little wisp of smoke coming up.
    Took it outside and it blazed up outside. I always go back and check several times.
    Good reminder.
    Lightening striking the garage was a different story. Fire Dept. got there quick and put out the roof that was on fire.
    Every battery charger plugged in (all electrical devices) were smoked as well as the door opener. All good now, thanks to the firemen.



    Dave
     
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  11. Apr 26, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
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    4,457
    Not to mention head lights and the hard to find glass parking lights. Or windows------

    I managed to lite myselve up a few times welding/grinding on farm equipment. Boy that sun was getting warm on my backside---
     
  12. Apr 26, 2022
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
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    No Kidding, I covered the truck and windshield but forgot the mirrors!:steamed::steamed:
     
  13. Apr 27, 2022
    Downs

    Downs Rattlecan All The Things!

    Hunt County Texas
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    Jul 25, 2020
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    Ah our helmet colors are different. Red is officer, Black is driver or tailboard, blue is EMS/Safety. White for chiefs. Yellow is typically rookies.
     
  14. Apr 27, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
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    We are

    White=Chiefs,
    Yellow=Captains,
    Red=Lieutentants,
    Black= Firefighters

    So, I am a Lieutenant, pictured with my Captain behind me.

    What do you define as a "Tailboard?" (When I was a rookie we still rode the tailboards, even out on the Interstate, in ice-storms and blizzards, etc.)
     
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  15. May 2, 2022
    Downs

    Downs Rattlecan All The Things!

    Hunt County Texas
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    Anyone under the rank of driver.
     
  16. May 3, 2022
    Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep..

    North Central FL
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2003
    Messages:
    2,132

    My F 350 can confirm this..
     
  17. May 9, 2022
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
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    4,275
    I pitted the daylights out of the crystal of a nearly new Seiko dive watch with my brand-new MIG welder. I said I would get it replaced when it needed to go into the shop for repair but nearly 30 years later it is still keeping almost perfect time. :rolleyes:
     
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  18. Jun 23, 2022
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
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    4,170
    Dave in post #10 has a really important message. If you’ve been welding, cutting, or grinding, go back afterwards and re-check 15 minutes to 1/2 hour after you’ve finished. Rags, dust-bunnies, wood chips, etc may be smoldering and can flare up later. When I was a firefighter, we had a house fire two hours after the owner left. He was welding downstairs previously, but we determined that some sawdust and wood chips smoldered for a while before setting the house on fire. He lost his truck he was working on, and the house above had serious smoke damage.

    And, yes, cover/protect all glass from weld spatter and grinding sparks. I see these custom/fab shops on TV with grinding sparks flying on surrounding cars glass and paint. That just makes me cringe.
    -Donny
     
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