MIG welding in a shed

[500e]

"grinding and cutting will get you into trouble far quicker than welding"

 

[addjunkie]

Concrete floor and cement board the walls…..a bigger shed would be better 8x6 is barely big enough to keep the gear in

 

[Morrisman]

My workshop is wood, with a concrete base. I try to keep the floor clear of dust and dogs hair. There are always bundles of fine fluffy dog hair floating about the floor inside, even though my dog has never been in there. And it doesn’t take much of a spark to set it afire.

As someone has mentioned on another wood shed thread, after they’ve finished for the day, turn off the lights, and wait ten minutes to see if any dull red glow starts in a dark corner.

 

[caprinut]

Line the shed with plasterboard and keep it swept.

 

[premmington]

The rules are:

No woodworking sawdust/sanding dust with power tools lying about.

No welding in the last hour of workshop time.

Buy a fire extinguisher...

 

[Bornfree]

"grinding and cutting will get you into trouble far quicker than welding"

I agree I've set far more stuff alight with a grinder (including myself) than a welder.

 

[marlinspike]

Old towel that's very damp will be ok for most minor infernos caused by welding. Bucket of water on standby. If it's a painted part/item remove paint from around the welding area as it's often flammable. Keep your work area free of stuff like thinners, white spirit, rocket fuel etc.

Cheap fire blankets are really useful too, to rest the piece on or to cover other stuff when welding or grinding.

Most of our welding 'fires' on the car resto have been where paint has caught fire. Had a few the other day when doing the engine bay. Welding a bit too near a bit I'd previously painted in Rustoleum. I think it hadn't fully cured. You can usually just bat it out with your welding gloves but best to have a wet towel and fire blanket on hand.

Loads on Ebay like these:

Pardon our interruption...

 

[skotl]

All good advice

Only things I'd add (or expand on) are:

The very immediate vicinity (say 2ft around the welding site) are the most important.
Don't underestimate the importance of ventilation (while balancing this with the fact that you don't want a draught around the MIG gas)
Don't weld on concrete (the moisture inside can expand rapidly and even explode, when exposed to severe heat)

My favourite advice is "Don't overthink it" - a well protected metal benchtop will cater for most scenarios.

 

[Migmac]

All my welding is done in a wooden shed. As said make sure nothing flammable is within reach of sparks, do a check after your done, recheck

 

[Beeezer]

Check, check. check and then check again…. Don says so!

A old shop forman, dead now.

 

[Dozzer]

I have set my overalls alight with a grinder, but only smouldered with a welder.
As many others have suggested, see if you can board even the lower half of the shed in a non flammable material, even bits of old washing machine or other white good can cover the floor and the first few feet of wood.
Having welded in many a flammable area (cars & horse boxes) a small pump up spray bottle with water can be your friend, or even just an old towel soaked in water.

 

[skotl]

...a small pump up spray bottle with water can be your friend, or even just an old towel soaked in water...

Just keep it away from the small pump spray bottle filled with brake cleaner for cleaning parts

 

[Erie Fred]

I have set my overalls alight with a grinder, but only smouldered with a welder.
As many others have suggested, see if you can board even the lower half of the shed in a non flammable material, even bits of old washing machine or other white good can cover the floor and the first few feet of wood.
Having welded in many a flammable area (cars & horse boxes) a small pump up spray bottle with water can be your friend, or even just an old towel soaked in water.

Also a blow gun on an air hose, keep it handy.

 

[not done it yet]

Also a blow gun on an air hose, keep it handy.

What for? To fan the flames?

 

[AndyCo]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.
Apreciating that some may think 8x6 is quite small would a better option to replace the wooden shed with a metal one like this?

Metal shed

 

[addjunkie]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.
Apreciating that some may think 8x6 is quite small would a better option to replace the wooden shed with a metal one like this?

Metal shed

Its a man thing, when it comes to sheds size is important. Go big

 

[MattF]

Problem with metal is condensation.

 

[Red'n'Black]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.
Apreciating that some may think 8x6 is quite small would a better option to replace the wooden shed with a metal one like this?

Metal shed

I have a 9 x 13 ft one similar to that, I got given it by a mate because he was emigrating.

It's horrible. Each one of the hundreds of fixing screws that go through the roof panels is sealed with a fibre washer, these last a few years and then crumble to bits, then you'll be constantly chasing leaks. Even after I'd slathered them all in bitumen, every change in the weather will see condensation running down the inside.

I live out in the middle of nowhere which is just as well, the doors have a padlock hasp but the construction is so flimsy you can pull the pair of them off their runners quite easily.

The damp problems could probably be improved with some insulation, but really, if you could possibly afford it I'd buy something else.

 

[AndyCo]

That’s really interesting RnB. Sounds like I’m better off saving my money, sticking with the wooden one I have and just take care to protect it.

 

[Erie Fred]

What for? To fan the flames?

Have you tried it sir ?.....
Pure oxygen from the cutting torch works well also.