Re: OT sorta-Learning to weld

Posted by Billy NY on June 02, 2009 at 09:56:45 from (74.67.3.238):

In Reply to: Re: OT sorta-Learning to weld posted by Lanse on June 02, 2009 at 09:18:47:

Probably smolder, not completely sure, but something flame retardant, in the summer I just wear a long sleeve shirt, preferably heavy cotton, which protects you from the UV light, and most spatter, slag etc. Don't quote me, but seems most cottons would just smolder, last Sat. I was using a cutting wheel on a 4 1/2" grinder, and unknowingly concentrated the sparks onto my heavy 50/50 cotton polyester hooded/insulated sweatshirt, with only a 100% cotton t-shirt underneath. I was on fire, well a flame the size of a bic lighter, just felt a warm spot, smelled a bit of smoke, but had no clue, my friend the farmer was nearby, he had a good chuckle, I was like darn it !!! USA made heavy sweatshirt, good quality, now with a golf balls size hole in it ! If it were just cotton I think it would have smoldered. It took concentrated sparks to do this, same would have happened if I let the weld spatter/slag concentrate and on it. Most steam/pipe fitters I observed wore heavy denim button down shirts, and depending on the position they were working they would use the leather apron or whatever you call it. Ideally you try to make the work easier and safer on you, and it's best to protect yourself with the correct gear, no substitute, however seems on a low budget, heavy cotton, fire retardant or similar will afford you adequately, though you must have good heat resistant gloves, sometimes you need to touch hot parts of your work. You don't want any material that can melt or erupt into flames quickly, again don't quote me, research the safety gear, there is good reason to have it, but if you use care and sound judgment, I think heavy cottons will suffice as they tend to smolder which will warn you when you feel that vs. erupting into flames. I've never had any trouble with heavy cotton apparel, but OSHA may say different, and others may disagree on this with good reason so "buyer beware", as I am not aware of any hazards with heavy cotton, there may be some I don't know about. You don't want oil/grease soaked, dirty or otherwise soiled work apparel, just like an oily rag, it will burn rapidly. Another trick is to soak or moisten up areas where sparks, slag and similar may accumulate, fall or concentrate, good common sense always helps.

You also want to eliminate places hot slag and molten metal can fall into, kind of like roof flashing and shingles, make sure the tops of your shoes, uppers, uppers are covered, tongue of your shoes, boots, can't allow anything in, you can leave your shirt untucked, but that creates another hazard, loose clothing that a PTO shaft can grab, put earplugs in, especially if welding over head, spatter still can get behind your mask and I can live with the occasional bit of slag getting under my glove, always happens no matter how careful I am, always wear good eye protection when chipping slag, it always comes up at your eyes, and stings your face when hot, or because it's sharp. There can be a lot of little annoying things like this to contend with, good reason to think about what you are doing well ahead of the work you plan to do.

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