So, I've been trying to get back on my early AM shop schedule this week, and I've actually managed to get out of bed to be in the shop my 5AM yesterday and today. This is always good because I feel like I've gotten something done before I ever start my day.
Today was an interesting one though. As I was finishing up on my work for the day (just finished welding up the last billet of damascus for the morning) I was wandering around the shop doing this and that while my billet finished a re-heat to do that "last bit" of forging. As I happened to go towards my grinding vise to move some stuff around I noted 2 things:
Yup, you guessed it folks, I almost lit my shop on fire this morning. Errant grinding sparks caught a box of stuff about 15-20 feet from my grinding vise. Nothing important in the box, but it did have a couple of door mats and a moving blanket which were just enough to catch and hold a spark. Oh, and some household cleaners that probably aren't good to burn and breathe...
Of course, by the time I saw it it was more than a "stomp it out" fire, so I grabbed the ABC extinguisher (you *DO* have one in *YOUR* shop don't you?) and put it out. Carried stuff outside and hosed it down, but I'm going into work a little late today "just to be safe".
So, learn from my mistake and re-check your work patterns around your shop. Make sure you don't throw sparks at the box you set down the other day, and ALWAYS be aware of what's going on around your workspace. Had I been concentrated on a task the fire would have been much bigger before I noticed. I think I'll make it a habit now to take a 3 second break every couple of minutes and just look around. I know too many folks who have had shop fires but there is still always the "it can't happen here" syndrome. It CAN happen here, and if you're not ready for when it does, it'll be a lot worse than a lost blanket, some door mats, and a melted Tide bottle or two....
-d
Today was an interesting one though. As I was finishing up on my work for the day (just finished welding up the last billet of damascus for the morning) I was wandering around the shop doing this and that while my billet finished a re-heat to do that "last bit" of forging. As I happened to go towards my grinding vise to move some stuff around I noted 2 things:
- Something didn't smell right
- The sun comes up on the OTHER side of the shop
Yup, you guessed it folks, I almost lit my shop on fire this morning. Errant grinding sparks caught a box of stuff about 15-20 feet from my grinding vise. Nothing important in the box, but it did have a couple of door mats and a moving blanket which were just enough to catch and hold a spark. Oh, and some household cleaners that probably aren't good to burn and breathe...
Of course, by the time I saw it it was more than a "stomp it out" fire, so I grabbed the ABC extinguisher (you *DO* have one in *YOUR* shop don't you?) and put it out. Carried stuff outside and hosed it down, but I'm going into work a little late today "just to be safe".
So, learn from my mistake and re-check your work patterns around your shop. Make sure you don't throw sparks at the box you set down the other day, and ALWAYS be aware of what's going on around your workspace. Had I been concentrated on a task the fire would have been much bigger before I noticed. I think I'll make it a habit now to take a 3 second break every couple of minutes and just look around. I know too many folks who have had shop fires but there is still always the "it can't happen here" syndrome. It CAN happen here, and if you're not ready for when it does, it'll be a lot worse than a lost blanket, some door mats, and a melted Tide bottle or two....
-d
I worry about dry rot in my shop... 
And keep it clean, especially if you're welding, angle grinding, and forging. Angle grinding is actually one of the worst, as a very slight body position change can throw your sparks in a completely different direction.