Birch

Wow! What a morning! I want to pass this along so you guys will file it in the back of your minds. To make it short: was cleaning some metal pieces with OOOO steel wool and some light oil, somethimes very little oil. I was working under two small Halogen lights (which I hate) and all of a sudden I had a handfull of FIRE!!! Naturally first thing I tried to do was shake it OFF my hand, which resulted in my reflex action throwing a fireball right into some sawdust and scraps I had just swept up! Yikes! I got things under control but I'll tell you, if I had been around some oil rags, paper towels, etc.I might have been in REAL trouble.
You may or may not know that this fine steelwool OOOO or "four ought" is often used as an emergency fire starter. Today, take some and touch a match to it, just so you will know what it does.
My conclusion: very hot under those %^$#*% Halogen lights; lots of friction between metal and steelwool; light oil into the mix and POOF!!
Let's ALL keep it in mind. Okay, my little lecture is over.
Thank you for dropping by. Ha!!

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harrysin

Thanks for the warning Birch, I use 0000 wire wool and from now on will take appropriate precautions. Glad it didn't turn into something really serious.

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Doyle

Thanks Birch!!!!!!
I never thought of that being dangerous.
It could have been a bad situation. Did you suffer any burns?
Thanks again for the heads up and will keep this in mind.
Take care
Doyle

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challagan

Hey Birch, glad all is well and no one was hurt etc.

Corey

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vapochilled

nice way to dodge a bullet!
Safety is never an accident eh? I assume you have a small extinguisher in the shop?
It's easy to forget that the chemicals and materials we use are pretty dangerous. I share my workshop with my other "hobby" RC helicopters, which use Lithium polymer cells, do a google and you'll see why I have all my stuff in fire proof safes!

bobj3

Hi Birch

I'm glad you are ok and you didn't burn down the shop

It's funny that you would post this,,,,The other day ACV (Member of the forum) wanted to know the best way to clean the rust off her jointer, she was going to used WD40 and some steel wool,,,and I suggested that see not use the WD40 and just used some 3 and 1 light machine oil....with a cleaning pad form the kitchen...( not a SOS pad)

The WD40 is flammable and it states that on the can but I don't recall if the 3 & 1 oil states that on the can or not,, but it is a petroleum base produuct so it maybe also...I suggested not to use the steel wool but use a Scotts-Brite pad that is a filber base item...

I hope see didn't start a fire also but she has not reposted...steel wool is just some steel filbers and will make sparks...

So to say it's best not to use anything that is a petroleum base produuct on your euipment...Johnsons Paste Wax works great for cleaning...by the way

Aging I'm glad you are OK... ,,,, burns can be nasty and take along time to heal...

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Joe Lyddon

Birch,

WOW!

Glad you got it under control real fast!

I didn't know steel wool would do that!
Thank you for the information!

R-Man

Thanks Birch,
I had no ideal of this.,
R-Man

Birch

A quick follow-up. I did not get burned much-nothing to fret about. Yes, I DO have an extinguisher in the shop-TWO of them in fact. The incident was just a reminder to me that things can sometimes go wrong very quickly, a lesson I have learned in several ways down through the years. Ya, gotta be prepared to act quickly! Ha! Am pleased to hear that the information about the flamability of fine steel wool is useful to some members. As I said; take a ball of 4-ought and touch a match to it. But do it outside fer cryin' out loud!! Ha!

Glenmore

Wow Birch a wood workers worst nightmare. Who would have thought wow. Every wood worker should have a fire extingesher in their shop. I have mine handy hope I never have to use it. Happy that you weren't hurt and you got the darn thing out.

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