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Tips
Tips

Garage Safety

billspit said:
There should be a HUGE disclaimer on all these shows, as none use any form of personal protective equipment (PPE). I suggest hearing protection too.

This is a good thread!

You are so right Bill about the disclaimer. So many shows warn us of foul language and violence why not on saying "You're about to watch moron's acting irresponsibly".

Here at the refinery I work at they push PPE big time, it just makes sense. And if it makes sense at work, it does at home as well. Every time we pick up a tool in the garage I make sure my step-son is wearing safety glasses, and there are lots of gloves and packets of hearing protection available on the work bench. And no, it didn't come home from work :smile:

Just last night I was welding the underside of the transmission tunnel of our TR7 (DPO cut pieces out of the tunnel to fit a GM V6 w/4 spd auto, which fit without cutting tunnel) and a welding spark hit the opposite side of the tunnel, went behind my welding helmet and went in my ear. Next time I'm wearing ear protection as Bill suggests.
 
Here with what I do, a wad of cotton in the keeps the cinders out.

Nice hot cinder sounds like a ball bearing being flushed down the toilet on it's way down your ear canal where it lands against your ear drum and sizzles.

Rust in the eyes, past both shield and glasses, burnt overalls and underwear, been there done that.

One of my coworkers had a story about a new welders helper. After the welder shouted "watch it" the fourth time said "I can't anymore" :laugh:
 
I'll also throw in to be very careful when wearing thermal coveralls or the like when working around a flame. Whether welding, burning, or even a torpedo heater, the thermal lining can melt to the skin and cause months of painful healing.
 
Tell your family or neighbors when your "out there" working on your vehicle. They may be kind enough to come out and check on you once in a while. If something has happened how would they know otherwise? Could be a life saver !
Also they may bring you a sandwich or a drink to boot !

Check around for spare tools left about when your done. I have a nice collection of other mechanics tools that fell out on the way hom from a variety of places. It would be unfortunate to have a tool drop into a belt or fan when the engine was running
 
I'm thinking of having some support welding done (by a professional welder)on my front coil spring housing where an old crack appears. the brake line is just a few inches away, and the gas line is about two feet away. (My nice paint job isn't far away either.)

Any special precautions in view of the brake line and gas line?
 
Make sure the gas line isn't leaking and the brake line doesn't get hot.

Should be fine.
 
You can place a barrier or shield over the brake line as a precaution. There are clay barrier products, almost like play doh, available. There are also insulated aluminum foil sheets that work well.
 
Wet rag?
 
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