Tools needed - work enviorment?

[PaulPb]

Hello;

So far in my 1st project, I'm very close to the stage of welding parts.....I haven't purchased an arc welder yet.

1st I spent lots of time cutting, grinding removing paint and sanding with my new angle grinder (Great tool!) one of the problems I've noticed is my drive way now has a 'coat' of brown 'rust' material. Apparently metal particles scatered and when it rained, rusted and left this rust on my drive way.

Any suggestions on how to clean this rust off my drive way?

I found I can get an arc welder, gloves, helmet for around $120.00 - (I have read the materials you provided, it doesn't sound very difficult....) are there other tools I need or what else should I know about a work enviorment? Can I work outside in the winter? do sparks fly like with the angle grinder?

Regards; PaulPb

[fultondp]

The metal particles from grinding will get everywhere! It is very difficult to get the stains off your driveway, scrubbing with CLR is one way, but it sucks! You can put up a tarp around your work area to contain the chaff, but sweeping up the grit immediately after a grinding session is the only sure way.

Darren

[trikeman]

I finally gave up grinding in my driveway due to the orange color it was acquiring. I bought my self a big old charcoal BBQ grill with a top at the thrift store and put it in the back yard. When the top is up, it makes a great cutting table and backstop to catch sparks when I put my abrasive saw on it to cut, or use my hand held grinder. You still have to be careful where you let the stray sparks go, as you don't want to set anything on fire.

[wiretie]

I used muriatic acid about a week ago and it seemed to do the trick. I then used baking soda to neutralize it. I won't be grinding in the drive way anymore though.

[trikeman]

Be careful with that muriatic acid wiretie. I used it a couple of times to remove the zinc from EMT, and some rust from old parts. Even wearing latex gloves I found that the skin on my fingers peeled off days later. Also, if you put the container anywhere near steel in your garage, it will make the stuff rust by leaching vapors into the air. I have also since read that it is difficult to completely neutralize on your parts and they will rust more later. I don't know the truth of that, but I have quit using the stuff - just too nasty for me. I guess it also goes without saying to keep it well away from those cute little kids.

[wiretie]

Trikeman,
I agree it is some nasty stuff and don't want to go through that again. we used to boil heat exchangers and raw water strainers with the stuff in boat yards, and 50:1 in water it was still nasty. I'm done with grinding in the driveway because the only solutions are nasty. The kids were with family for a couple days and I rinsed the driveway with water and baking soda for over an hour, SWMBO was happy though.
-Briggs

[savarin]

SWMBO was happy though.
-Briggs

and that is the most important fact of all

[wiretie]

and that is the most important fact of all

right!!!!!

[PaulPb]

and part 2 of my question:


I found I can get an arc welder, gloves, helmet for around $120.00 - (I have read the materials you provided, it doesn't sound very difficult....) are there other tools I need or what else should I know about a work enviorment? Can I work outside in the winter? do sparks fly like with the angle grinder?

Regards; PaulPb

[trikeman]

and part 2 of my question:


I found I can get an arc welder, gloves, helmet for around $120.00 - (I have read the materials you provided, it doesn't sound very difficult....) are there other tools I need or what else should I know about a work enviorment? Can I work outside in the winter? do sparks fly like with the angle grinder?

Regards; PaulPb

You will also need a 4 1/2" or 4" grinder and some grinding and cutting wheels for it. A hack saw is also needed and some bi-metal blades for it. Get a good straight and a half-round metal file. I like those little cutters they sell for cutting pipes apart, but you can use a hacksaw. You will also need some sandpaper. A vise and a workbench is good to have too. You will eventually need a spoke wrench and some cone wrenches to take wheels apart. This is sort of mininum kit. Brad's first book has a pretty good intro on the stuff you need.

While not as bad as a grinder, sparks do come off of most electrical welding processes when hot pieces of metal boil off the surface. Be mindful of this when you weld. You can weld outside in the winter if you can handle the cold.

[TheKid]

I weld outside all the time. You can weld as long as you could stand the cold, wind, etc. I avoid welding in wet weather for obvious reasons, (Like today when I wanted to try out my new welder.) but I can take the cold really well after working in it for years. Sparks do fly, but if you're using a stick welder, I noticed there are less sparks when using 7014 rods. Most of us recommend using an auto darkening helmet. Avoid using the hand held visors that come with many welders.
The best way to avoid discoloring your driveway is to have it blacktopped. Not practical. The next best way is to use a power washer immediately following grinding. Try to wash to the sides, because if it goes into the street and discolors the pavement, you could be fined in many areas.
If the rust isn't allowed to sit too long, spread a ton of kitty litter on it, get a copy of "Dancin in the Street", (The Martha and the Vandella's and Van Halen versions work equally well) get the wife, and do the " Mashed Potatoes" on the driveway until the rust is gone. Toilet bowl cleaner with muriatic acid (Not nearly as nasty as the pure stuff) should take care of any residue. Just remember to flush well with baking soda as the others stated.

[trikeman]

(I have read the materials you provided, it doesn't sound very difficult....)

Regards; PaulPb

Don't believe everything you read (He, he)...:jester:

It really isn't that hard once you get it, but its definitely not as easy as it looks. Practice is the key.

[babelloyd]

Hi folks,

This thread is very interesting. I've learned a lot. But, of course, I have a bunch of questions too. I hope you all don't mind.

1) How much of a problem are the sparks from grinding? Is grinding indoors a bad idea? Is there a very large risk of causing a fire?

2) Is there a type of broom anyone would recommend for sweeping up grinding and/or welding mess? Maybe a photo of a broom or link to a photo?

3) What does "SWMBO" mean?

4) Why does a welder need eye protection AND a helmet? Doesn't the helmet protect the eyes?

5) Where can we get info on Brad's books? I didn't know he wrote books!

Thanks again for your patience and help!

Dave

[savarin]

Hi folks,

This thread is very interesting. I've learned a lot. But, of course, I have a bunch of questions too. I hope you all don't mind.

1) How much of a problem are the sparks from grinding? Is grinding indoors a bad idea? Is there a very large risk of causing a fire?

If by indoors you mean inside the house then yes, bad idea. The grit and metal dust get everywhere. The sparks can cause fires so make sure they dont hit anything that can catch fire. I dont grind on the driveway as the residue rusts very fast and stains forever. I grind at the bench usually and the back wall takes the brunt of the sparks. (steel topped bench and wall)

2) Is there a type of broom anyone would recommend for sweeping up grinding and/or welding mess? Maybe a photo of a broom or link to a photo?

Any old broom is fine.A stiff yard broom is probably too course to do much so I use a soft house broom and one of those long handled dustpans so I dont have to bend over..

3) What does "SWMBO" mean?

The overall leader of the household - She Who Must Be Obeyed

4) Why does a welder need eye protection AND a helmet? Doesn't the helmet protect the eyes?

Eye protection is mainly for grinding drilling and such to stop sparks and metal chips taking out your eyes. I dont wear both when welding although I have had the occasional spark fly under the helmet but I do have to wear x3 magnifying glasses when welding. How much are your eyes worth??

5) Where can we get info on Brad's books? I didn't know he wrote books!

Thanks again for your patience and help!

Dave

Direct from here? I'm sure Kat will chime in here to help you. Its worth buying the plans from here as well.very well produced.

[babelloyd]

Ah, excellent info! Thanks Savarin! No, by "indoors" I didn't mean in my house. I meant inside a human-made structure for working in: such as a shop, a garage, or a shed. But I get what you're saying.