Just a reminder to be careful whilst welding or doing anything else that produces sparks!!

My Mrs had used a White spirit soaked rag to clean her hands after painting the fuel tank on my TVR this evening, and it got left on the bench. I should have checked, as this is a BIIIG no-no when welding. Unfortunately, I couldn't be arsed.

Welding some new sill plates to a new outrigger tube clamped in my vice, I failed to notice the flaming rag (ignited by a spark) until the flames were about 18 inches high... Luckily, with mt welding gauntlets on, i ran the rag outside and threw it on the yard, where it burned out harmlessly.

Another minute and the wooden cupboard above the rag would have been well alight, and the fact that I was welding meant that I wouldnt have noticed. The cupboard was full of paint tins.

I'm officially a twat for being negligent, and I got away with only singed arm hair.

On welding courses, they teach you to clear the bench of that sort of stuff for a damn good reason.

Near misses are a warning, and should be heeded!

Ed. **buys fire extinguishers**

I hav actually done similar a few times.

I was grinding at work one day and didnt realise the sparks were all going on a rag on the floor, I could smell burning so stopped and couldnt see anything so carried on. Next thing i know was a bloke tapping me on the shoulder. "Dan youd better put out your fire"

been there done that got away with it,

lucky this time though

In all honesty any rags that have solvent of any kind, petrol paraffin thinners etc should be removed from garage immediately you have cleaned with them as they can catch fire by themselves if even left overnight.
I throw them in wifes wheelie bin which is outside away from everything. I`ve found Scotchbrite pads and steel wool to be deadly as well.
Alex

Very lucky!

PS Any pics of the TVR you can upload?

Yep, Im drinking wine to wash away the " ive been a tit" feeling.

Jim, remember the Canley paint factory fire?? On a smaller (!!) scale, the cupboard above the rag was full of hammerite!

This one is from collection day...

Sorry about the huge pics! (well, not very sorry...)

Ed.
Rescued attachment DSCN0508.JPG

'nuvver one.

Looking better for a clean!
Rescued attachment DSCN0510.JPG

Renovo is THE BUSINESS for reviving soft-tops.

Compare this to the collection day picture!
Rescued attachment DSCN1049.JPG

Looks good - what power/spec is the engine? Is it just outriggers needing work?

Claimed 275BHP, 230 - 240 more likely.

3.9 litre Rover engine, leary Cam, big valves, ported and flowed heads. Cosworth Pistons, very oversquare bottom end. Revs very nicely for a V8 (on cam by 4000 RPM, redlines 6500RPM iirc) Tubular manifolds, 18/8 Austenitic sports exhaust.

Should be good for 0-60 in the mid 5s, as it weights 1150kg..

Yep, the outriggers are a complete rust trap, but the rest of the chassis is pretty good, and mostly the powdercoat is still completely intact.

Theres no such thing as too much Waxoyl on a TVR.

Well, unless you set fire to the fecking stuff with a welder. I shouldnt even go there...


[Edited on 24/9/06 by ed_crouch]

BTW: a word of caution to your missus - white spirit is a really bad thing to be cleaning your hands with - it de-greases the skin and can make your hands really sore. There are proper hand cleaners for that job (or wear latex gloves and/or barrier cream in the first place).

There's also a risk of long-term damage...

David

Dermatitis??

Point taken!

White spirit is really bad for my nervous system after tonight!

I remember when the Lone Ranger got dermatitis.

Que ? Was it ten to ten, ten to ten, ten to ten, ten, ten.

Yep, but that was "Buffalo come"...

Kemo scabby.