Welding area in shop?

[TnClimber]

I'm always paranoid when grinding or welding. I really don't want a fire. I'm thinking of building a dedicated work area for these activities. It's more sparks when using the angle grinder. I don't have a bench grinder. I have some leftover roofing panels and an exhaust fan. I'll build or buy a welding table. Does anyone have a setup and would share photos and suggestions? I searched for booth/area but, maybe I didn't use the correct terms. Thanks Craig

 

[nadogail]

You might try Welding Table or Fabrication Table.

Drop into a Welding Shop, with a box of doughnuts, and ask a few questions and keep your eyes open.

 

[kyrbz]

This is my welding/spray booth. This part of my shop has an exposed wood joist ceiling and I wanted to create an area where I could safely weld, grind and spray things. I made a ceiling and back filter wall for the ventilation system out of metal studs and sheet rock and then hung a welding curtain on roller track so the space can be enclosed or open

 

[TurnipTruck]

I have a metal shop and a wood shop at opposite corners.
,,
I may finish the wood side this winter.


click my link if you have an hour to waste.

 

[racecougar]

My entire shop is a welding/automotive space. As far as fire consciousness is concerned, I did the following:

1. Utilized liner panel on the walls and ceiling.
2. Store all flammables and aerosols in flammables cabinets.
3. Store my cordless tool batteries in a steel enclosure away from any combustibles.
4. Keep the shop clean and organized.
5. Multiple methods of putting out a fire, should one occur. Fire blankets, CO2 extinguishers, water extinguishers, and powder extinguishers throughout the shop.
6. Practicing a 30 minute fire watch after the last generation of sparks (welding or grinding) before leaving the shop.

Regarding dust/grit control, I utilize a curtain to divide the shop into "clean" and "dirty" sides when the work dictates. I also put together a simple air scrubber utilizing a large furnace fan, Merv 15 filters, and Merv 9 pre-filters.

Curtain deployed:




Curtain stowed:




Air scrubber:




In use (old photo):

 

[Shoester]

My entire shop is a welding/automotive space. As far as fire consciousness is concerned, I did the following:

1. Utilized liner panel on the walls and ceiling.
2. Store all flammables and aerosols in flammables cabinets.
3. Store my cordless tool batteries in a steel enclosure away from any combustibles.
4. Keep the shop clean and organized.

Regarding dust/grit control, I utilize a curtain to divide the shop into "clean" and "dirty" sides when the work dictates. I also put together a simple air scrubber utilizing a large furnace fan, Merv 15 filters, and Merv 9 pre-filters.

Curtain deployed:




Curtain stowed:




Air scrubber:




In use (old photo):

That's pretty slick. Where did you get the curtain from?

 

[racecougar]

That's pretty slick. Where did you get the curtain from?

Thanks. The curtain is two large tarps from Harbor Freight suspended on a SS cable via heavy duty shower curtain hooks. I have a second light cable routed through the top that allows me to easily deploy/retract it.

 

[bb29510]

I weld by the overhead door because of fume and a need for the extra light

 

[MovingAlong]

I'm always paranoid when grinding or welding. I really don't want a fire.

That's how you avoid a fire.. and by keeping dust swept, corners clean, installing/caulking baseboards to keep slag out of hidden areas. Also keep a fire watch for 20-30 minutes when you're finished. Don't just turn off the welder and head back to the house...

Only thing I've set on fire (with those two activities ) is myself. Running an angle grinder with sparks hitting my shirt. Next thing I know I'm getting gut punched by my FIL. What the hey?!? Looked down and had a 8 inch hole burned in my shirt. Oops... Have a leather apron now.

 

[racecougar]

Good point. I forgot to mention fire extinguishers and fire watch in my post above. Just edited it to add those two items.

 

[Imatk]

I'm just starting to learn how to weld, and I don't know how often I will actually do it. But I've got a welding table that's portable, but it's not very big.

My plan is to weld in the middle of the garage where there's lots of space and put down welding blankets on the floor around the table.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJV8RDP2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[racecougar]

I'm just starting to learn how to weld, and I don't know how often I will actually do it. But I've got a welding table that's portable, but it's not very big.

My plan is to weld in the middle of the garage where there's lots of space and put down welding blankets on the floor around the table.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJV8RDP2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If it's a cement floor, all you'll be doing is burning holes in your welding blankets unnecessarily. Is it an epoxy-coated floor or something?

 

[Imatk]

It's epoxy yes

 

[racecougar]

Bummer. Welding blankets will certainly help, but welding sparks do eventually burn through them, especially when laid horizontally.

 

[86turbodsl]

this is exactly why i did not put epoxy on my floor. Too much welding going on.

 

[Imatk]

I'm not planning on doing a lot of welding anyway hehe. I'm mostly interested in doing bodywork and patching panels. And I probably won't be doing a great deal of that. If I had any heavy stuff I imagine I'd just take it outside and use flux core.

But as I wrote I'm just starting so who knows.

 

[bb29510]

get some thin sheetmetal you can lay down before welding to protect the epoxy