A Welder In An Apartment

Feb 22, 2006 19 Replies

A friend of mine will be moving into an apartment soon.



He is used to having a fully tooled shop with welding capability.



What welder (Arc, A/Ox, MIG, TIG) would you recommend for a welder that can be used in an apartment setting (out on a deck/balcony)?



I am assuming that he will have only 110v electrical service available.



Any other suggestions as to accessories for this type of welding setup would be appreciated.



Thanks



TMT



"Too_Many_Tools" wrote: (clip) What welder (Arc, A/Ox, MIG, TIG) would you recommend for a welder that can be used in an apartment setting (out on a deck/balcony)? (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I wouldn't hesitate to use my 120 volt MIG on a balcony. I use flux-core, which eliminates two problems: you can weld where there are breezes, and you don't have to drag a tank of gas along if you're moving the welder from place to place.

I suggest looking around and renting a nearby garage, or mini storage, or boatyard locker, etc. Maybe a friends garage or part of the shop or basement. Someplace ground level, in an industrial area, where one can

*safely* work with fire.

Don't worry. He won't last long. Either he will burn the place down, or someone will report him and he will either be arrested or evicted.

This is a troll, right? I would say no one could be that stupid, but that has been disproved time and time again.

Steve

While it can be done, I would be hesitant to attempt it. One would put him/her self in a great risk of some civil or criminal law suite in a hurry.

If you live in California, the welding fumes alone can you land you court, let alone the risk of accidental fire from spark or spatter.

if you try it on the balcony, your first attempt will get you an automatic visit from the police. the light from a welding arc will get plenty attention, specially from kids.

I am NOT a lawyer, but familiar with criminal justice, the word "reasonable " is frequently asked from a jury; what you are attempting is far from it.

"acrobat ant" wrote

Aren't gas barbecues on an apartment balcony against the law in California? If so, welding would surely be a no no.

Steve

If you pass gas in Cal. it could be against the law.

I know they put special regulations on lawn mowers. I can believe that passing gas would be illegal. Are there new enforcement officers? Are there any in the Pacoima area?

Steve

Isn't that considered 'friendly fire'?

I can tell you haven't been around when I cut the cheese. It makes little old ladies crawl out the exit door in the top of an elevator.

Steve

We usually use a Dual Shield low-fume wire in our shop. It's set up for general fabrication at about 190 amps. Today the welder was working on some light gage stuff and used the 110 fluxcore setup instead. Even at much lower power, the little fluxcore unit filled the rather large shop with a stratified white layer of smoke. My guess is his fellow apartment dwellers will flip out.

"theMooseisLoose" wrote: Isn't that considered 'friendly fire'? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ "Friendly fire" is what you get when you go hunting with Dick Cheney.

That proves Cheney is a Dick!

Oh, I don't know, as a landlord it is perhaps one of the less amazing things I have come across. Recently I had a tenant who cut out every other tread of a wooden internal staircase as he "couldn't afford the gas bill, and needed fuel to keep himself warm". The fact he had no provisions for an open fire in the property, and he had the central heating on full blast when I took a witness to deliver an eviction notice didn't seem relevant to his excuse. Quite WHERE the treads went I don't know. The courts took pity on him...The educated judge seemed to not understand my problem with his reasoning. A TIG on the back porch would have seemed quite reasonable in this case :)

Guys,

How do you put photo's in the drop box? And I forget the URL. if you could help me on that thanks- And I'll post pictures of my place on Michigan Ave. in Chicago where I made headers and sheet-metal intakes while my shop and house were being moved. TIG only. Tapped into the box powering the

220vac stove. Put in a plug, took it out when I moved and returned it to it's original circuit. Neighbors said it looked like a search light from a ship in my place when I was working at night. Proof in the pictures..

Rob

Fraser Competition Engines Chicago, IL.

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Done!

Thanks, I appreciate the help Sir.

Rob

Fraser Competition Engines Chicago, IL.

"RDF" wrote: (clip) Neighbors said it looked like a search light from a ship in my place when I was working at night. (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ If your neighbors like you, you can do just about anything you want.

Out the window

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