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WELDING TABLE SHIELDS

Youngfd

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Dec 9, 2014
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189
Location
Maltby, WA
I have my 1200# welding table finally moved into my shop. I am looking for ideas for portable "spark" shields that I can use while welding or grinding. I want something that can sit on my bench top. Something I can build or purchase.
 

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ItsNemo

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Mar 5, 2016
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Canada
...why?

The sparks are always going to get out no matter how much you try to shield them and then you won't be able to see where they go. The better solution is to fireproof your surroundings or be aware of where you are throwing sparks.
 

PoorUB

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Mar 29, 2021
Messages
11,620
Location
Fargo, ND
A grinder will throw **** many feet in the air. Weld splatter will be easier to contain.

A ceiling to floor welding curtain will do the best job to contain the debris from grinding. You could mount pipes on the ceiling and slide them out of the way like a shower curtain when not in use.

Personally, in my shop I just let it fly and cover up anything important!
 

matt_i

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Mar 14, 2008
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10,722
Location
SE Michigan
I think I'd make a sheetmetal shield, 16ga with some T-shaped feet.

If I do any serious grinding I try to take it outside.

Could also setup a narrow slot or pins+pockets at various edges of the bench where it just drops in.

Nice looking bench there :thumbup: I had a bench like that and ended up cutting out the front cross-brace so I could slide short Vidmar cabinets under it.
 

MarineScott

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Joined
Jan 23, 2016
Messages
527
Location
W. Pennsylvania
I have my 1200# welding table finally moved into my shop. I am looking for ideas for portable "spark" shields that I can use while welding or grinding. I want something that can sit on my bench top. Something I can build or purchase.
I made a tri-fold screen out of pvc pipe, then attached a harbor freight welding blanket to it. It's light, folds up and stores easily.
 

John in OH

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Jun 2, 2007
Messages
2,444
Location
SE Ohio & Eastern Virginia
...why?

The sparks are always going to get out no matter how much you try to shield them and then you won't be able to see where they go. The better solution is to fireproof your surroundings or be aware of where you are throwing sparks.
I can definitely see the value in a light-weight welding screen! Once upon at time, long, long ago, I was working on a welding project on the concrete apron outside of my garage. I was happily grinding away prepping, cleaning up, and dressing welds … all being done with the overhead garage door closed.

About two weeks later, my wife came home and started griping about the rusty garage door and asking me about the best way to repaint the door. I was skeptical of her complaint so I went to check it out. Indeed, the door was covered with rusty spots … but it wasn’t the door that was rusting. It was the thousands of steel grinding sparks/shards/grit that had imbedded themselves in the door paint!

A simple screen (or a good dose of common sense) would have saved me from a LOT of tedious door refinishing!
 
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John in OH

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SE Ohio & Eastern Virginia
38 years, this is a first for me
The use of portable welding/grinding screens was pretty common in our power plant maintenance work (coal/oil/gas fired generation). Mainly used for arc flash and/or flying particulate protection for those working near welding activities.

On jobs where framed screens weren't practical, welding blankets would be hung from surrounding piping, conduit, building steel, etc. Some of the screens were made of welding blankets and some were made of thick flexible semi-transparent hanging vinyl strips. Of course, the "industrial grade" pre-framed screens were pretty heavy.

Welding related maintenance "job plans" nearly always included use of screens and we got very little pushback from the maintenance crews regarding their use. Everyone pretty well understood the use of screens was for the common protection of all workers.
 

Augus7us

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Jan 14, 2017
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1,190
Location
Central Ohio
I never thought of this but I think I'm going to do the same in my hot work area. I like the idea of using sheet metal. I'm thinking some sheet metal, use a brake and create a 1" lip. Drill and tap some holes in the bench and use some small bolts to hold it up. Doesn't need to be stout, just contain or direct the dust.

Taking it a step further I could see adding a duct to a dust collector or ducting outside...

That aside I really like the table and the air hookups. I've never seen that before. (y)
 

MarineScott

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Joined
Jan 23, 2016
Messages
527
Location
W. Pennsylvania
I have my 1200# welding table finally moved into my shop. I am looking for ideas for portable "spark" shields that I can use while welding or grinding. I want something that can sit on my bench top. Something I can build or purchase.
My screen is 6ftx2ft, hinged by these 3/4 in. Pipe hangers. I used 3/4 pvc if you haven't guessed.
 

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quickfarms

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Feb 14, 2021
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Southern California
I use the harbor freight blankets all the time to protect the part of the vehicle that I don’t want weld splatter on
 

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