Welding reminder

[rv_safetyman]

Jack, good reminder.  I avoid any welding for 1 hour prior to my quiting for the day (and then I still go back and do a fire check a couple of times, yes I am paranoid about fires ).

Another tip is to stop welding frequently and raise your hood to check around you.  Several times I have found something smoldering (I am not the best at housekeeping), and at least twice I found my clothing on fire .

Jim

[Len Silva]

Not being a welder but with a pretty good knowledge of electrical/electronic systems, it seems to me to just make good sense to keep the ground close to the weld just for the sake of the weld itself. A good consistent penetration must be affected by the resistance of the ground connection, is it not?

[JackConrad]

Onhe other important piece of advice: ALWAYS have a charged water line (hose) and/or a fire extinguisher nearby when welding or cutting with a torch or cut-off wheel. Yes, those sparks from a cut-off wheel can cause a fire also (No, Don't ask how I know)  Jack

[Lin]

Do you think that the same precautions would apply to using a plasma cutter?

[Hartley]

Do you think that the same precautions would apply to using a plasma cutter?

Yes when cutting ferrous metals. I haven't seen any sparks with aluminum
but steels or stainless do shower sparks.

There is anywhere from 30 to 65 psi of air flow from a plasma torch and it will send
stuff flying...( Hot stuff too! )...

[JackConrad]

Do you think that the same precautions would apply to using a plasma cutter?

Yes, The "hot stuff" from a plasma cutter, regardless of type of metal, is hotter than the ignition temperature of most common combustibles (wood, cloth, grass, etc.)  Jack

[Lin]

Thanks,  I actually was asking about disconnecting electronics if cutting something on the bus.  A couple of weeks back I used it to open a hole in the right engine access door to put a paddle handle lock on it.