JEEZ FOLKS, lighten up!!
Didn't realize so many would find fault with my advice. OF COURSE you
shouldn't use a run-of-the-mill electric shop vac to suck-up flammable
liquids (I thought anyone with an ounce of sense would know this). If that
were the case, just throw a match on whatever is on the floor and let it
burn-off (hows that for bad advice)? Anyway......
My first choice for material to cover a pit would be a reinforced nylon or
fiberglass web netting, but it must be strong and secured well enough to
support your weight should you step or fall into it by mistake. You could
use wood or metal (properly reinforced to hold your weight). BUT, don't
make the cover solid. Cut slots in metal or slats in wood, this will allow
liquids to run through (no nasty puddles on the floor) and when ventilated
will keep any fumes from collecting in a low area.
Back to why I suggest a fan at floor level. Anytime you have any kind of
cover on a pit, take it off, run the fan a few minutes (to clear any fumes),
then look it over good for liquid or slipperly spots. CLEAN THESE UP before
entering the pit and/or starting to work.
Carl Ham
'56 Chevy TF Stepside
Pontiac, IL
>From: "Tom" <tfvjr@snet.net>
>Reply-To: "Tom" <tfvjr@snet.net>
>To: "Kevin & Deana Brown" <MGTRAutoXr@sprintmail.com>, "Carl & Becky
>Ham" <the_hams@hotmail.com>
>CC: <boteler@olg.com>, <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
>Subject: Re: [oletrucks] shop
>Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 08:39:07 -0500
>
>I used to work at a facility that made blood analysis equipment, and prior
>to
>putting all the sub-assemblies into the chassis, the techs would carefully
>vacuum the large, cabinet-like frames with big 20 gallon shop vacs. The
>amount
>of static electricity generated by this process would cause arcs of
>electricity to jump unusually large gaps and ZaPpP unsuspecting passers-by!
>(this is the voice of experience talking!).
>I can't WAIT to put a pit in my new garage!
>After wrestling with the oil pan under my Jeep's V-8 last winter, I'll risk
>the fumes! (but NO shop vac!)
>
>Carl, you said "Covering with wood or steel wouldn't be my first choice..."
>... What WOULD be your first choice??? Anyone else?
>
>
>Tom
>'55-2
>Monroe, Ct
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Kevin & Deana Brown
> To: Carl & Becky Ham
> Cc: boteler@olg.com ; oletrucks@autox.team.net
> Sent: Friday, November 01, 2002 2:18 PM
> Subject: Re: [oletrucks] shop
>
>
> Don't ever clean up flammable liquids with a regular shop or you a run a
>high risk of explosion and fire. You could only use and air operated shop
>vac
>that is properly grounded or one that has an intrinsically safe more (made
>to
>use in explosive atmospheres). I have read reports of explosions caused by
>using a regular shop vac to clean up flammable liquids.
>
> Kevin Brown
> '49 Chevy Wrecker
>
> Carl & Becky Ham wrote:
>
> >
> >.....hose it down with some industrial-strength (caustic) floor
>cleaner.
>Unless
> >you run alot of water, there's always a possibility some fumes will
>back-up
> >in the drain. With today's shop vacuums you should be able to clean up
>any
> >spills as they happen.
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >Carl Ham
> >'56 Chevy TF Stepside
> >Pontiac, IL
> >
> >
> >>From: "Boteler" <boteler@olg.com>
> >>Reply-To: "Boteler" <boteler@olg.com>
> >>To: "OLETRUCK list" <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
> >>Subject: Re: [oletrucks] shop Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 23:58:06 -0500
> >>
> >>Lots of men have died in pits (overcome by bad gases). That's why you
> >>never
> >>see them anymore (OSHA). The Jiffy Lube type pits are a complete
>basement
> >>(not a small confined space) and they have large ventilation systems.
>Pits
> >>are also a "fall" hazard.
> >>
> >>The only way I would have one is if the shop was built on a hill and
>you
> >>had
> >>a "walk-out" door at pit level that could be opened when you were down
> >>there. But remember, you still need to worry about gasses collecting
>down
> >>there when you are not using it, as Whitney stated.
> >>
> >>Be safe!
> >>
> >>Mike Boteler
> >>'56 8400 Wrecker
> >>Hughesville, MD
> >>
> >>----- Original Message -----
> >>From: "haist" <haist2@attbi.com>
> >>To: "mark" <ccpanel@jps.net>; <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
> >>Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 7:37 PM
> >>Subject: RE: [oletrucks] shop
> >>
> >>
> >>>I always thought a work pit in my garage floor would be a cool thing
>to
> >>>have. That was until I had a conversation with our local fire
>martial
> >>>
> >>and
> >>
> >>>learned that volatile gases that are heavier than air accumulate in
>such
> >>>places. One spark and, well you get the picture. It is possible to
> >>>ventilate a work pit with explosion proof fans, etc. but then you're
> >>>
> >>talking
> >>
> >>>more cost than a lift.
> >>>
> >>>That's my $.02.
> >>>
> >>>Whitney Haist
> >>>Orinda, CA
> >>>Chevy trucks: 1928,1939,1946.
> >>>http://www.haist-usa.com/oldtrucks
> >>>mailto:whitney@haist-usa.com
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>-----Original Message-----
> >>>From: owner-oletrucks@autox.team.net
> >>>[mailto:owner-oletrucks@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of mark
> >>>Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 3:09 PM
> >>>To: oletrucks@autox.team.net
> >>>Subject: [oletrucks] shop
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>what about a pit?
> >>>mark
> >>>
> >>> http://pweb.jps.net/~woodson
> >>>http://home.infostations.net/ccpanel/projects/
> >>>...
> >>>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and
>1959
> >>>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and
>1959
> >>>
> >>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and
>1959
> >>
> >
> >
> >_________________________________________________________________
> >Surf the Web without missing calls! Get MSN Broadband.
> >http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/freeactivation.asp
> >oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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