Anyone actually set fire to something with sparks from the grinder?

[MR2FC]

As above

When we moved in, there was a hole in the shed roof, and lots of leaves had blown through and dried. When the fencing guys came, they patched it for us temporarily but left a lot of nails showing from the inside. I was going to grind them back but was concerned about the flammability of the dry leaves.

All swept out now, so a non issue, but wondering if anyone had managed it?

I guess it would be easy if grinding sparks are heading for an open petrol container?

What about leaves, grass, sawdust etc?

 

[robert6715]

It happens, I know of at least one forest fire set by a hand grinder sharpening a shovel for a groundbreaking.

Spark from tool ignites big wildfire in Alaska

An Alaskan wildfire ignited by an errant spark from a power tool has spread to 50,000 acres and burned at least 70 structures in a popular recreation area, officials said on Saturday.

www.reuters.com

 

[MR2FC]

That's a bigger example than I imagined!

Cheers

 

[robert6715]

A little more info on said fire.

2007 Caribou Hills Fire - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Wrench97]

Shirt, Pants, shop towels/rags and a drain pan with a diesel fuel filter and some fuel in it is about all I've set off with a grinder.
Now ask about a torch.............................

 

[HenryAZ]

Shirt, pants.

 

[MR2FC]

Shirt, pants.

Always be naked when you use the grinder

 

[jack stand]

It's remarkable how quickly the frayed threads on the cuffs on your pants will begin to burn. Then there's the other basically plastic clothing.

 

[PCustoms]

Pants, shirt, rag. Shouldn't use my body as a spark arrestor.

Watched someone set the insulation on fire once, that was exciting.

Seen sparks from welding catch lots on fire.

The garage gets tidied up and swept before I make sparks.

 

[Nthill93]

Only my shirt once

 

[jfish]

Not a grinder... But a gas chop saw. Started a brush fire. Not news worthy. But about 5 acres or so.

 

[LeeG]

I set my neighbor’s lawn on fire once. I bought an H2O fire extinguisher the next day. They thought it was pretty funny seeing me out there trying to stomp the fire out.

 

[Death Row Dave]

I have set no own clothes afire many times welding and grinding at work

 

[ChefRex]

Yes.

 

[snickers muncher]

I was grinding near a 55 gallon trash can and a spark hit something. During a pause I noticed smoke coming out of it and a small flame. Luckily someone had put a half finished soda in the trash, so I just grabbed it and poured it on the flame to put it out. There were probably a dozen people around and no one saw a thing.

 

[jrsavoie]

It's remarkable how quickly the frayed threads on the cuffs on your pants will begin to burn. Then there's the other basically plastic clothing.

Had a friend have a hot piece of steel go through his brand new plastic boots.
The tag said genuine leather, with the word imitation in little bitty tiny letters in between.

I started a grass. Fire outside my shed. Luckily I had fire watch at the time

 

[Walkers]

Mist everything down first, then keep a garden hose handy.

 

[sqznby]

Who hasn't caught something on fire with a grinder

My old boss blew a portion of his house up grinding in his garage.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Caught my hair on fire several times over the years welding.

 

[Northislander]

Was at the cabin last month wearing a new pair of shoes "first mistake" wife wanted a piece of steel rod cut in half for a stake grabbed the grinder and cut it in half melted the laces and webbing on the shoes. melted or scorched many things over the years never started a fire yet. still time

 

[Jayman17]

I was grinding in my backyard last summer and after a bit I felt it getting hotter near the ground. I looked to my right and saw a ring of fire spreading out on my dried up lawn.
It was spreading at a pretty good pace. Luckily the hose was nearby so I put it out.

Jay

 

[Corndoggeh]

I had a small disposable aluminum pan that had some leftover oil in it after blackening some parts (super thin with solvent added for wetting). I set it to the side and then had to grind something at the vise. Pan lit right up and flames nearly hit the ceiling. Yeah... Thankfully no one saw.

 

[TurnipTruck]

It happens, I know of at least one forest fire set by a hand grinder sharpening a shovel for a groundbreaking.

Spark from tool ignites big wildfire in Alaska

An Alaskan wildfire ignited by an errant spark from a power tool has spread to 50,000 acres and burned at least 70 structures in a popular recreation area, officials said on Saturday.

www.reuters.com

This is what the Caribou Hills looked like five years after the inferno. Prior to 2007, the Hills were dense black spruce broken up by 1960’s seismic trails. Lots of stories about snowmachiners getting lost riding around afterwards because the landscape appearance had changed so immensely.

 

[Boatman62]

Don't grind the nails off on the inside. The vibration and heat will cause them to loosen and possible leak if they are holding shingles.

 

[AndyL]

Yup, almost burnt down a sawmill.

Cut some damaged tracks off the wall that were welded on, all that sawdust trapped in the pink batt insulation made for good firestarter apparently.

Ended up peeling the tin sheeting off the wall jamming hoses behind - it was quite an event.

 

[Aaron_W]

Yes, I've actually set dry grass on fire with a grinder more often than with the welder.

I always keep a garden hose and H2O fire extinguisher handy, keep the grass cut low and wet down a circle on the edges around the area I'm welding / grinding.

 

[rsanter]

Years ago we fought some really dry grass on fire from a lot of grinding.
Water hose for the quick save

 

[isb cornbinder]

As above

When we moved in, there was a hole in the shed roof, and lots of leaves had blown through and dried. When the fencing guys came, they patched it for us temporarily but left a lot of nails showing from the inside. I was going to grind them back but was concerned about the flammability of the dry leaves.

All swept out now, so a non issue, but wondering if anyone had managed it?

I guess it would be easy if grinding sparks are heading for an open petrol container?

What about leaves, grass, sawdust etc?

The first time. I was grinding on a base I made for an antique hit and miss engine. The sparks set our dried grass lawn on fire. My son, then about 12 turned the sprinklers on and put the fire out.
We were under a water restriction, so no additional water was added.
The second time. I was grinding on a metal frame when a gust of wind stirred up the dust on the shop floor. The grinder sparks lit the dust with a bang/flash. The fire burned for a few seconds and went out. I swept and washed the floor.
The third time. I was grinding on something when I started to feel extra warm. The frayed part of my denim pants were on fire. For two days I had that roasting chestnuts on an open fire earworm.

 

[MR2FC]

Don't grind the nails off on the inside. The vibration and heat will cause them to loosen and possible leak if they are holding shingles.

Thank you

 

[oldwino]

Not a grinder... But a gas chop saw. Started a brush fire. Not news worthy. But about 5 acres or so.

Ya got me beat…only lit about an acre. Bill/fine was substantial

 

[tool_scrounge]

When grinding in the vertical blade orientation, it helps to wear a baseball cap backwards or a welders cap in addition to a face shield to keep your hair from catching on fire.

 

[slowtwitch73]

The usual stuff mentioned and then there was the Oliver disc sander. Had a bunch of saw dust in the dust collection internals, and I was sanding steel... started smelling funny, then smoke... essentially a blower for a forge with all the air being pushed through the internal fire. I grabbed a spray bottle of water and pumped it through.

 

[jfish]

Ya got me beat…only lit about an acre. Bill/fine was substantial

I tell ya, I was a young working foreman and the last thing to do that day was cut a piece of steel to cover a catch basin.

I was on auto pilot, grabbed my hot saw, put my PPE on and went to town.

I am from the west side of the mountains where it rains most of the year. Working on the east side where it's very dry, almost desert.

No hot work permit

The fire marshal and the brush fire crew had a great time hazing me.

 

[The Cobbler]

did not read the entire thread, but, my neighbour had major fire damage from cutting off nails with a grinder when the sparks ignited cellulose insulation . when they realized they had a problem the attic was glowing with smouldering cellulose . they were almost completed their whole house reno... now it was all redone by insurance , including the 1 month old roof.

 

[Kent_B]

Not yet, but the day is young.

 

[Beelzeboss]

I've burnt plenty of holes in t-shirts in my younger days, now I make it a point of not directing the sparks directly at myself

 

[ybnormal]

This is what the Caribou Hills looked like five years after the inferno. Prior to 2007, the Hills were dense black spruce broken up by 1960’s seismic trails. Lots of stories about snowmachiners getting lost riding around afterwards because the landscape appearance had changed so immensely.

they got lost ? because they couldn't see the forest for the burnt out husks of trees?!?

 

[ChefRex]

Many years ago, welding with a pack of matches in my shirt pocket!

 

[Uncle murph]

As above

When we moved in, there was a hole in the shed roof, and lots of leaves had blown through and dried. When the fencing guys came, they patched it for us temporarily but left a lot of nails showing from the inside. I was going to grind them back but was concerned about the flammability of the dry leaves.

All swept out now, so a non issue, but wondering if anyone had managed it?

I guess it would be easy if grinding sparks are heading for an open petrol container?

What about leaves, grass, sawdust etc?

I caught my pants on fire cutting rebar.Pictures somewhere.......

 

[nadogail]

If you have not started a fire, you have not done "Hot Work"; if you haven't started one yet your day is coming.

I have started only a "Few".