How close is too close to brake pipes?

[thepurpleblob]

I'm very new to welding so please excuse likely stupidity.

I need to weld in a small patch along one edge of my inner wing. The bother is that all the pipes to the ABS pump (about 10 of them) all pass in a neat row right by the offending bit. An inch away at most. By unbolting the ABS pump and deflecting it a bit I can probably increase the gap a bit but it won't be much.

Is there anything I can do to protect these pipes? Is there something I can put between them and the welding that will help?

Completely stripping them out will be a mammoth task.

 

[Country Joe]

I'm definitely not an expert, but would wrapping them in wet rags or a towel be good enough?
All the Best,
CJ

 

[thepurpleblob]

That did occur to me. I just wondered if there was something more scientific!

 

[cumbriasteve]

Plumbers use a small foil blanket about 12" square to protect paintwork from the blowtorch..something like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300-X-250...DIY_Materials_Plumbing_MJ&hash=item1e7253c7df

 

[thepurpleblob]

Of course.... I've actually got one of those for plumbing projects. Failed to make the connection. It's Monday!!

Thanks!

 

[rich r]

I still managed to set fire to the skirting board with one of those heat shielding mats when I fitted a radiator

Then again - mig welding should be far less likely to put a lot of heat through it than a blowtorch...

I'd go for a damp rag on the pipes themselves, then the heat mat. That way you can see from any steam coming from the rag if it's getting too hot.

 

[octo0072000]

wet rags

damp rags as said and slide another piece of metal between pipes and sill
a washing up liquid bottle full of water works well for small fires also keeps the rags wet

 

[Sean]

Plumbers use a small foil blanket about 12" square to protect paintwork from the blowtorch..

do they hell as like they just burn and blister everything in a 12" radius

i just put a bit of scrap metal over the pipes - MIG is intense heat in a concentrated area for a short while, as long as they aren't touching the work piece they will be fine

 

[TAITSIE]

Just remember and lift your helmet before you try and blow out the flames

 

[cumbriasteve]

do they hell as like they just burn and blister everything in a 12" radius

Yeah..when I think about it..fair comment

 

[Windy Miller]

Just remember and lift your helmet before you try and blow out the flames

Yep - I've done that!

 

[thepurpleblob]

If I set fire to it, then that'll be a whole load of problems solved !!

 

[slimjim]

in such cases, I have used a ceramic tile, to protect pipes, whilst welding!

 

[Justme]

Wont the bigger risk be from cleaning the area up with a grinder?

 

[thepurpleblob]

Yes it would... it's really out of site under other stuff so I can get away without too much cleaning up if it looks like an issue.