Safe welding

[j schara]

I love my garage/work shop but, it has a raised wooden floor. Is there any safe way to weld in there?

Jim

 

[The Toolest Guy]

If you are talking about a commercial grade particleboard flooring such is known as 'red, yellow, or blue tongue' flooring then yes you can safely weld above it. But the weld spatter will cause slight damage.
If it is a residential tongue and groove I would not do so.

I have red tongue flooring on the mezzanine and by using welding blankets damage can be prevented completely. The manufacturer confirmed that it is appropriate to weld above this flooring, provided welding blankets are used.

 

[MrGiggles]

Welding is mostly small spatter, shouldn't start anything on fire. I would consider putting down a sheet of diamond plate or something in the heavy welding areas, especially if running a cutting torch.

 

[Bobcat753]

I'd get a sheet of diamond plate to put on top. At the technical high school I went to for welding the floor was Creosote/Kerosene soaked wood which had a thick glaze over it. in the spots that were worn a drop of molten metal would drop and the floor would catch fire and YELLOW Smoke would billow up. Luckily it only lasted a few seconds unless some kid dropped a red hot piece of steel and left it.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I used to weld on wood (plywood CDX) floor.

Yea, a couple burners here and there, so I smashed them with my glove or foot.

Just don't start a fire and leave for the weekend. Duh.

 

[zkling]

Tig weld, just watch for contaminants sparking.

 

[ovrrdrive]

I weld in my garage on top of an epoxy coating and have burn marks all over it. You won't catch anything on fire but you'll sure be able to tell you were there.

 

[azhatchback]

Tig weld, just watch for contaminants sparking.

TIG is very clean.

 

[rockinacummins]

Sheet of steel or at very least get a welding blanket to throw down whenever you weld