Welding safety things to be aware of

Landslide

Landslide

Red Skull
Joined
May 20, 2020
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There are a lot of do’s and don’ts for welding procedures safety wise. Post what you know.

I watched this video which is very eye opening. Some you may know but not everyone does and it could save lives.

 
ya, lots of **** will make you get the not so feel goods

Galvanized materials, I will do about anything to just not mess with it
shop ventilation is something that I seem to be always working on
I keep a small stack of 20x20 hardware store box fans that I keep in the corner of the shop to aid in the spots that need it
 
I've been trying to wear my respirator more, but after seeing that video today it reminds me that I want to get a better/nicer one

One of those personal filter respirator air blower deals would be pretty cool if they weren't $2-3K
 
Respirator, keep your face out of the plume. If you have to be that close to weld, then invest in some prescription eyeglasses or a cheater lens so you can see better. And please cover your skin when you weld. You’re roasting it and you don’t even know it.

Edit: wear safety glasses even under your hood. They help block UV rays themselves. I don’t wanna hear the “but they fog up” excuse.
 
I found out a month or so ago, that MiG welding in tight quarters with little to no ventilation, can kill you too.

The silent killer they say.

“

Is​

Breathing in argon is generally not harmful, as it is a chemically inert noble gas. However, it can be dangerous due to its ability to displace oxygen in confined spaces, leading to asphyxiation. Here are some key points to consider:
 
Landslide said:
I found out a month or so ago, that MiG welding in tight quarters with little to no ventilation, can kill you too.

The silent killer they say.

“

Is​

Breathing in argon is generally not harmful, as it is a chemically inert noble gas. However, it can be dangerous due to its ability to displace oxygen in confined spaces, leading to asphyxiation. Here are some key points to consider:
Click to expand...
Argon will displace the air you are trying to breath though
I was welding up some outboard transoms one time reaching in there and decided that I was woozy at one point
so there is that to think about too :laughing:
 
I welded up four of these deer stand bases which were well pump water pipes. While not structural, it was all free. I ground surge welding areas best I could but like stated above it removes a lot but smears it too.

Next set of 4 stands I built were made out of 2x2 - 3/16” wall square structural tubing with 1-1/2 x1-1/2-3/16” wall square tubing cross beams.

I drank glasses of milk. I welded the galvanized well pump tubing in ventilated area as well as open doors in my shop. Kept fumes away from me as much as possible. I never got sick from it but I refuse to weld it again if possible.

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Its not just the material you're welding, the gas, the arc, the electricity, you also need to be aware of whats been on the metal you're welding. What it had in it/on it matters, might have been harmless but what happens when you heat it ?
 
I recall somebody here sharing their hospital story due to using brake parts cleaner before welding. That was back in my lurker days and I don't remember who it was, but that's who taught me to not do that.
 
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Jarod said:
I recall somebody here sharing their hospital story due to using brake parts cleaner before welding. That was back in my lurker days and I don't remember who it was, but that's who taught me to not do that.
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I had a bad experience with brake clean and welding back in the late 80’s. The fumes were overwhelming to say the least. I quit using brake clean on areas needing welding after that
 
I had a solo disco party after accidentally shooting brake cleaner through the intake of my propane torpedo heater.

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It'd almost be worth repeating if it wasn't so dang hard to breath too.
 
Landslide said:
I had a bad experience with brake clean and welding back in the late 80’s. The fumes were overwhelming to say the least. I quit using brake clean on areas needing welding after that
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Solvent is nice. Will actually soak into the gunked up stuff, yet doesnt catch fire or gas up. I can watch my weld push it outta the way.
 
Be aware of what's behind you. Reflective surfaces will fry you

If you have to weld a hydraulic cylinder, don't put yourself in front of it

Make sure you have a way to put out a fire. In my line of work the entire environment is flammable
 
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LScout800 said:
You have to soak it in vinegar or another acid for a day or two. Grinding just smears it. Chemically removing it is the only way.
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regular grocery store vinegar takes several days (never tried stronger vinegars), Citric acid from a baking store can strip zinc and whatever else over night, maybe even quicker depending on how strong you mix it. I know it's not really quick like a harsher acid, but I like using citric acid because it's very safe, can dump it down the drain and you really don't even need gloves.
 
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Ksand said:
Be aware of what's behind you. Reflective surfaces will fry you

If you have to weld a hydraulic cylinder, don't put yourself in front of it

Make sure you have a way to put out a fire. In my line of work the entire environment is flammable
Click to expand...
I’ve more than likely caught things on fire welding but it’s been so long ago I can’t remember. I will say though, I’ve caught things on fire a lot with my torch wrench. I typically know things will catch fire, like when I torch vehicles apart.
 
dnsfailure said:
regular grocery store vinegar takes several days (never tried stronger vinegars), Citric acid from a baking store can strip zinc and whatever else over night, maybe even quicker depending on how strong you mix it. I know it's not really quick like a harsher acid, but I like using citric acid because it's very safe, can dump it down the drain and you really don't even need gloves.
Click to expand...
I got a jug of this off of eBay. I watch Shannon’s YouTube channel and he uses this to remove zinc coating off of flange nuts he’s going to weld on things.

 
Landslide said:
I welded up four of these deer stand bases which were well pump water pipes. While not structural, it was all free. I ground surge welding areas best I could but like stated above it removes a lot but smears it too.

Next set of 4 stands I built were made out of 2x2 - 3/16” wall square structural tubing with 1-1/2 x1-1/2-3/16” wall square tubing cross beams.

I drank glasses of milk. I welded the galvanized well pump tubing in ventilated area as well as open doors in my shop. Kept fumes away from me as much as possible. I never got sick from it but I refuse to weld it again if possible.

IMG_8143.jpeg
IMG_9105.jpeg
Click to expand...
I have to ask
whats up with the deer stands?

seems to be an east coast thing?
why not go outside and shoot deer like normal people?
 
Landslide said:
I’ve more than likely caught things on fire welding but it’s been so long ago I can’t remember. I will say though, I’ve caught things on fire a lot with my torch wrench. I typically know things will catch fire, like when I torch vehicles apart.
Click to expand...
Im a mechanic/ electrician at an underground coal mine. Everything will catch on fire
 
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