Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: EvilDogBeast on March 25, 2023, 02:26:33 PM

Title: Oily Rag Safety - A Reminder
Post by: EvilDogBeast on March 25, 2023, 02:26:33 PM

Careful with those oil-based finishes.  This guy did a test with different finishes on rags left in different configurations to see if anything would happen.  He gets a few fires, but the timing of each is a bit unsettling.  The video is pretty long, but worth a watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gqi2cNCKQY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gqi2cNCKQY)

Title: Re: Oily Rag Safety - A Reminder
Post by: wood carver 2 on March 25, 2023, 06:00:39 PM

Thanks for posting this video. I don’t take chances with oily rags. I hang them to dry before throwing them away.
It’s good to see how easily they can actually catch fire though. Pretty sobering.
Dave.

Title: Re: Oily Rag Safety - A Reminder
Post by: Mad Max on March 25, 2023, 07:30:05 PM

I use lacquer thinner every now and then but always un fold the rag and lay flat on concrete until dry, only 1 layer deep.

I'm guessing most people know if you bale hay before it's dry it can smoke and burn.

Title: Re: Oily Rag Safety - A Reminder
Post by: kennym on March 25, 2023, 08:40:17 PM

Same as Mark, or on gravel outside

Title: Re: Oily Rag Safety - A Reminder
Post by: Jeff Freeman on March 26, 2023, 02:34:16 PM

I never leave any thinner rags, used paint strainers or mixing cups in the garage. They all go outside,air out and into the garage can, right away. JF 

Title: Re: Oily Rag Safety - A Reminder
Post by: Longcruise on March 26, 2023, 04:08:29 PM

It was a jolt for me!  However,  I don't typically use anything containing linseed oil.  Just tru oil and it never involves rags but it's something I'll not be forgetting! :o

Title: Re: Oily Rag Safety - A Reminder
Post by: Kirkll on March 26, 2023, 07:23:55 PM

That was kind of a long drawn out experiment, but a lesson learned about linseed oil…. Never touch the stuff myself.

But stain rags and lacquer thinner rags all get hung up to dry.

Certain types of epoxy will heat up if left in a cup. I’ve seen them smoke before, but never spontaneously combust.

Another substance that creates a serious amount of heat when curing is super glue. I’ve cleaned up a spill with a rag and actually burned my fingers before. So be careful with that stuff too.

Title: Re: Oily Rag Safety - A Reminder
Post by: Bowjunkie on March 26, 2023, 07:30:04 PM

Another thing to be careful with is phone chargers. The end that plugs into your phone can start a fire it it gets up against something metallic, or steel wool. If you keep one on the workbench, best to unplug it from the wall when not in use.

Title: Re: Oily Rag Safety - A Reminder
Post by: Longcruise on March 27, 2023, 11:00:11 AM

Quote from: Bowjunkie on March 26, 2023, 07:30:04 PM

Another thing to be careful with is phone chargers. The end that plugs into your phone can start a fire it it gets up against something metallic, or steel wool. If you keep one on the workbench, best to unplug it from the wall when not in use.

My plug for a rechargeable drill fired up some fine steel wool on the bench.  Lucky i was there.   I probably instigated it by shuffling the mess around!