Welding safety

[AshleyDC]

Hi all,
I just started learning to weld in my little workshop last night. I wasn't sure if the arc would be dangerous to my neighbour, who is about 20 metres away. For that reason, I was shutting the door whenever I was welding. So, the question is, can I weld with the door open in future?

 

[AdrianH]

It would be better to have a screen up like a heavy plastic blue of green screen, say use a small tarp hung up. I think the distance is 10 metres or there about but if you get someone staring at the arc as they find it interesting then later get irritation to the eyes they would not be you best friend.

Go onto the HSE web site regards welding hazards there is free stufff to download.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/welding/safety-topics.htm

You do not say what type of welding you are doing, watch out stick is probably the worst for fumes so have a fan or extraction system of some sort, mig is probably the cleanest, but still have light and fume hazards. But do not get scared off, have fun and take reasonable precautions for yourself and stop fires starting.

Welcome to the forum.

Cheers

Adrian

 

[cumbriasteve]

It would probably be more annoying than dangerous, although depending how friendly the neighbour is any work can produce problems with neighbours.

Perhaps your first project could be a frame to cover with some material, place it outside in line of sight.

 

[AshleyDC]

Thanks for the advice, it looks like I need to make a small screen. I forgot to mention, it's mig welding that I'm attempting!

 

[Kent]

if there is someone to blame these a claim. Forget how far someone is from you shield that arc or risk a claim. I don't know how big your place is but be aware of breathing the fumes if your shutting the doors and remember the shielding gas can be a danger by displacing the air you need to breathe in small places.

 

[PTvor]

It would probably be more annoying than dangerous, although depending how friendly the neighbour is any work can produce problems with neighbours.

Very true.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...urban-sex-dungeon-after-noise-complaints.html

 

[cianh91]

at that distance if there stupid enough to stare there own tough luck not being bad just honest open the door and away

 

[AshleyDC]

My neighbour is a nice old lady. I don't see her complaining or putting a claim in, I help her out when I can. I just didn't want to do anything that could be harmful to someone else.

 

[AshleyDC]

I got a few bits of scrap, so I decided to try and weld them together and make a Heath Robinson bike hanger.

 

[AshleyDC]

The scrap contained a few bits of 2mm steel plate. I tried butt welding a few bits and found it harder than the thicker stuff.

The back looks a bit dodgy!

 

[AshleyDC]

Any tips or constructive criticism?
I definitely need to build a table, it's awkward welding on the floor, on a 6 inch long bit of RSJ!

 

[PTvor]

My neighbour is a nice old lady. I don't see her complaining or putting a claim in, I help her out when I can. I just didn't want to do anything that could be harmful to someone else.

There's not much danger of her getting arc eye. However, it's sensible and considerate to put up something to block the light, which is flickering, very bright, and she could easily find annoying. It could be some big pieces of cardboard or anything else you can rig up which would block the light from the arc.

You also need to think about avoiding inhaling the fumes, which are not so bad as stick welding fumes, but still are not good for you and in a small shed, there's not much volume to dilute it, so closing the door is really not an option.

 

[PTvor]

Any tips or constructive criticism?
I definitely need to build a table, it's awkward welding on the floor, on a 6 inch long bit of RSJ!

See this thread

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/newbie-couple-of-questions.54384/#post-641374

There are others involving ingenious welding tables which can be set at any angle. Do a search on here for welding tables.

A piece of plate and a cheap workmate works fine and can be stowed away. Far better to use a cheap workmate bought for the purpose than an expensive, nice one. Second hand is fine.

 

[Hitch]

I normally just pull the door down half way, stops most people seeing in, and allows plenty of ventilation.

 

[Richard.]

at that distance if there stupid enough to stare there own tough luck not being bad just honest open the door and away

Bad advise.
If not the neighbour it's only a matter of time before someone down your street/passing/visiting to see an opportunity of some compo. Whether they get arc eye or not if your seen welding by an opportunist skank they will take you to the cleaners claiming permanent damage to there eyes. And it will go in there favour if they get evidence that you were welding with a door open unprotected no matter how far away they were. Make a screen and do all you can to keep your nose clean.

 

[AshleyDC]

Thanks for the advice, I've had a bit of a sort out today and cleared a space for welding, away from the door.
My workshop is down my garden, so it's only my neighbour I need to worry about.

 

[TurtleDude]

Bad advise.
If not the neighbour it's only a matter of time before someone down your street/passing/visiting to see an opportunity of some compo. Whether they get arc eye or not if your seen welding by an opportunist skank they will take you to the cleaners claiming permanent damage to there eyes. And it will go in there favour if they get evidence that you were welding with a door open unprotected no matter how far away they were. Make a screen and do all you can to keep your nose clean.

I'd be more worried about some scrote deciding to come and deprive me of my welding equipment or any steel, angle grinders or other tools they might associate with metal work.

I trust nobody, except dogs.

 

[brightspark]

I'd be more worried about some scrote deciding to come and deprive me of my welding equipment or any steel, angle grinders or other tools they might associate with metal work.

I trust nobody, except dogs.

even they cant be trusted i had to boot my dogs a...rse once after biting me
show him who s gaffer

 

[Kent]

showing the dog who is boss is better done other less harmful ways in my experience. A kick can easy kill a dog and is best reserved for defence from really serious attack.