Welding blanket question...

[Big Blzn]

Fellas. I just had an idea and I want you expert welders to opine, please. I am looking to purchase a welding blanket. Something about 4'x6' that I can use to cover the welding area in my blazer where I have carpet etc. (I'll fully weld the cage when I take it out of the blazer, I just don't want to set the truck on fire while tack welding).

Question. While some blankets are not terribly expensive, would it work or be sufficient to take an old piece of heavy duck canvas material and spray or soak it in a flame retardent chemical spray or bath? Is this a lame, non-workable idea or doable? Anyone do this before or should I just spend the $$ on a proper blanket.
Thanks

 

[bp71k5]

I don't know about the idea, but if you have a harbor freight store locally, they have pretty inexpensive blankets about that size. I bought one that seems to work ok, although it has a bunch of warnings about being made in Russia and could cause cancer or some such thing.

 

[Big Blzn]

I don't know about the idea, but if you have a harbor freight store locally, they have pretty inexpensive blankets about that size. I bought one that seems to work ok, although it has a bunch of warnings about being made in Russia and could cause cancer or some such thing.

So, just don't give your blanket a Brummski and you should be fine. Now I gotta check HF. Thanks Brian.

 

[mordachai]

in the sculpture shop we just use old leather scraps/hides. When a welding apron gets beat up, it becomes a welding blanket. Same with old leather couches, they make great welding blankets! just don't use your wife's leather jacket

also check your local cobbler/leather worker. they often have quarter or half hides left over from a job that they will sell for cheap.

we do use some 'traditional' welding blankets too, just like you described. thick duck canvas with something sprayed on them.

 

[Big Blzn]

in the sculpture shop we just use old leather scraps/hides. When a welding apron gets beat up, it becomes a welding blanket. Same with old leather couches, they make great welding blankets! just don't use your wife's leather jacket

also check your local cobbler/leather worker. they often have quarter or half hides left over from a job that they will sell for cheap.

we do use some 'traditional' welding blankets too, just like you described. thick duck canvas with something sprayed on them.

Thanks for the info.

Aren't you the guy who was making fiberglass fenders for first gens with the larger wheel diameter? If so, what is the story on them?

 

[mordachai]

Yep, I'm the guy you're thinking of.

Still workin on them here and there. Just the way life is, sometimes things don't go the way you thought they would. between my own financial issues and deals falling through with others for whatever reason life has given has slowed down the progress a bit.
I've had to pursue different avenues for income, it's pushed me from sculpture fabrication to Upholstery(mostly auto and marine) then to some boat repairs and modifications. As a jack of all trades, I'll do all sorts of odd jobs, kinda helps in the slow time, but hard to find reliable work. just little jobs here and there. The last 2 months I've been working on boats. After a full day of grinding and glassing, the last thing I want to do for hobby is anymore fiberglass...

I'm just going to pull a pair of fenders to put on my own truck and run them for a while for now. if someone ever wants a set, I can make them, if not so be it, I'll still have some unique fenders on my own truck.
I dunno, maybe one day I can springboard it into a business, but I don't have the capitol needed at this time just a labor of love at this point , with the emphasis on the labor part...

 

[readymix]

Headed out towards Temecula any time soon?
I have an ass load of fire cloth and I'd gladly cut off a piece for you if you're in the area.

 

[cybrfire]

If you just do some tacking or even short welds, you can use cardboard as a makeshift deflector. Of course you don't want to be welding right next to it.

 

[bp71k5]

I also have a thin 28g guage steel sheet that I use for deflecting splatter. I think I got it at a hardware store for a few bucks. Also works well as an oil drip pan when changing fluids.