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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    Nebraska
    Age
    25
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    3

    Default Safety of Welding Outside

    Hello,

    I'm fairly new to welding/metalworking and I'm just about to buy my first MIG welder. Previous experience has mostly been using my gpa's SMAW on the farm.
    I live in an apartment and don't have a garage just yet. A good friend of mine has a rental house with a driveway but not covered garage. If I weld using fluxcore in the open in his driveway, is that an issue? I'm concerned about passerby on the (small neighborhood) road getting upset about the arc and making a fuss. I've been around campus where they're welding on a building out in the open without any shielding and didn't seem to have any issues.

    Worst case scenario I may be able to place my car in between the road and me welding, but I don't even know if I need to bother with that.

    Is it a bad idea to do it in the open without buying a screen?

    Thank you, and God bless!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,656

    Default

    This being a Australian based forum ( I am assuming you are in the USA ) it is not possible to give a answer as local regulations may apply, if it was in Australia I would say
    it would not be a issue

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    Nebraska
    Age
    25
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    3

    Default

    Ah, didn't realize that this was Australian-based. Thanks for the info. Well I guess we'll just try it and find out then.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

    Default

    If you are worried about it can you tie a rope across the driveway and hang a sheet or tarp over it, just don't set fire to it

    shed

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    Nebraska
    Age
    25
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Good thinking!

  6. #6
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    Using your car as a barrier may not be a good idea as welding sparks can easily travel 4-5 yards and when they land on the car duco can make a permanent mark that lets rapidly to trust.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    The UV radiation generated dissipates very rapidly over distance. There is an OSHUA table somewhere on the net that references this.
    From memory, there was also a study by the US Army.

    Flash intensity drops with the cube of the distance. So the intensity 10 feet away is 1,000 times less than it is 1 foot away. 20 feet away is 8,000 times less. 30 feet is 27,000 times less.

    Once you're 10-15 feet away there's not much issue from a flash as long as the person doesn't sit there and stare at it. If they're 30 feet away there's pretty much no issues even if they do.


    Grahame

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