Grinding / Welding near Fuel - Advice

[SparX]

Hello ,

Had fun today cutting all the rust from the rear arches of the 'zook .

Then became very aware that sparks were flying everywhere and I was very near the filer cap / pipe. Anyway , though sod it and carried on .

Now I need to weld a new inner arch in place ,, havent got the MIG yet and dont even know how to weld , but will I be able to do this without too much bother ?

Cheers

[BUSHWHACKER]

You'll be o.k. as long as you keep the fuel filler cap on, it's the fumes that are more combustable.

[dirtydog]

glad you said that - it puts my mind at rest for something i did the other day!

[kitesurf_phil]

My advice is to cover anything flammable with a fibreglass fire banket. I drape it over the seats when welding inside. The sparks that come off a welder will even pit the inside of the windscreen!!!

Watch the underseal on the other side of what you are welding. I use one of those garden sprayer things for getting-rid-of-greenfly-on-yer-roses. The one with the flexible pipe and seperate sprayer nozzle. I don't want anymore visits from Beds Fire Brigade.

[SparX]

My advice is to cover anything flammable with a fibreglass fire banket. I drape it over the seats when welding inside. The sparks that come off a welder will even pit the inside of the windscreen!!!

Watch the underseal on the other side of what you are welding. I use one of those garden sprayer things for getting-rid-of-greenfly-on-yer-roses. The one with the flexible pipe and seperate sprayer nozzle. I don't want anymore visits from Beds Fire Brigade.

Thanks Guys . Will let you know how I get on, once I get the welder.
Thanks for all the Advice , There wil be alot of ' simple ' questions over the next few weeks as I get used to this engineering lark !

[da SLUG man]

and remember when you're welding floor that there's carpet on the inside!... that sets on fire!!

[BUSHWHACKER]

It don't arf stink too!

[dirtydog]

set sawdust for the oil leak and the seats on fire in the buggy yesterday!

[BUSHWHACKER]

Insurance job?

[ChaosinDevon]

I am an industrial welder............ if you must weld near a fuel tank, because you cant/wont remove it..... then fill it right to the brim. It is ONLY the vapour that ignites.
If you are a first time welder, dont do what a mate of mine did, bought a cheap mig welder, got welding and gave himself arc eye, he forgot to get a welding mask !!!!

[dirtydog]

I am an industrial welder............ if you must weld near a fuel tank, because you cant/wont remove it..... then fill it right to the brim. It is ONLY the vapour that ignites.
If you are a first time welder, dont do what a mate of mine did, bought a cheap mig welder, got welding and gave himself arc eye, he forgot to get a welding mask !!!!

haha -
GENIOUS!

[JimL]

What about having the engine running so you dont blow your battery up nor damage ECU and other electrical components. Batteries soak up all the current spikes and protect the rest.

[SparX]

What about having the engine running so you dont blow your battery up nor damage ECU and other electrical components. Batteries soak up all the current spikes and protect the rest.

Good Point . I made an assumption I would have to disconecct the battery to weld. I know there is no ECU on the Suzuki , but what is the correct procedure for old bangers and plush 4x4's ? ... Thanks !

[ChaosinDevon]

What about having the engine running so you dont blow your battery up nor damage ECU and other electrical components. Batteries soak up all the current spikes and protect the rest.

Either disconnect the battery or the alternator.... that is sufficient