How about a few ideas to help keep everyone safe this winter while you are working on or around your Pride and Joy ??? Here is the 1st one.
Always make sure your work area is well ventilated when you have you engine running. Also be sure to always use a jackstand to support the vehicle while you arte under or around it.


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Build it so low,you have to step DOWN to get in !!!

Safe storage of all flammables.
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The "New" and Unimproved edcroozer... Charter D.S.R.A. member

Hard Hat & Googles if you are working my my garage
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"Big Al" Liebmann
"Righty Tidy..Lefty Loosey"

Charter Member: Dipstick Street Rod Association
Technical Advisor - Barris/Kind Chrysler City Coup'e Kustom

Friend of Ed Croozer

Somehow, I believe that Al! Doing an engine swap, make sure your engine hoist is not over extended, and , is properly rated for the wieght you're lifting. Saw a few tip over during the years. Solvent storage cabinet is smart. Watch what your doing around the gas tank. Last winter, a guy around here was changing a fuel filter, and, ignited the garage with a drop light. Lost everything. Watch the direction of your angle grinder sparks also. I just moved the TV back into the garage last night! Gettin ready for those projects, and to hibernate on the weekends!
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John "the shocker" Rocker
DSRA, NSRA, NSMA, KKOA, GAA, FOM, BDA, NRA, WHC, OBX

You can never have enough light to work with wether topside or under the car. Of course this includes the above mentioned jackstands with a "U" shaped (or sorta) top.
If you are going to hang anything from the rafters make sure the rafters are heavy duty enough to keep ya from getting a major headache.....
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Fred P.

Weld only with long sleeved leathers on...I have plenty of "holy" shirts and the spatter does hurt.
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Home to Lugnut!

Charter Member: Dipstick Street Rod Association

Dont weld or grind without protecting any glass(Windshield,Sunglasses)in the area. The hot sparks and melted metal droppings will leave a nasty little hole or even a drip like mark on the glass. Dont ask.
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If you want it yesterday, then call me tommorow and I will have it ready today.

I'm noticing that a lot of us seem to have learned our shop safety tips the hard way. LOL Glad I'm not the only one.

Another one is to keep some shop clothing in the garage, I couldn't tell you how much clothing, shoes, or even eye glasses, I've tore up just because "it's only going to take a minute", or "I'm not even gona get dirty".
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Be different but be yourself.

Keep a large stash of rags in the shop, like towels, shirts, etc. When you spill that gallon of paint, it's safer to have the means to clean it up, that to tip toe through the kitchen and grab paper towels. Not to mention, most dog houses don't have heat!
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John "the shocker" Rocker
DSRA, NSRA, NSMA, KKOA, GAA, FOM, BDA, NRA, WHC, OBX

- Always disconnect the car battery before working on the car, especially the fuel system
- Understand how a suspension works before disassembling it--the energy stored in a spring under tension can kill
- Keep the Jacob's ladder away from the oily rags

Pep034, sounds like you learned about the joys of old car shrapnel the same way I did. Even if a raw metal shaving lands gently, it's easy to guess what happens when it does so on an eyeball naturally lubricated with SALT WATER...

When welding, do not wear any polyester, nylon, rayon clothing. They ignite easily and burn rapidly, or melt and adhere to your skin. The fumes are also extremely toxic.
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"We don't build 'em like they used to"
Rick
www.loboys.com

Don't wear a tie when working around a running supercharger.
When peering into the injector intake of said supercharger, do not "blip" the throttle.

If the above occurs, forget BOTOX injections... you just took all the wrinkles out of your face.

I think bow ties are ok in the shop as long as they have big motors...LOL
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I'm the Mikey that dont eat everything!

With all the posts, it's looks like it's all comomon sence.
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awsum34

Why do people park in a driveway, and drive in a parkway?

Keep the refrig full of COORS LIGHT just in case of a fire... Not to put out the fire just for the Firemen.


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"Big Al" Liebmann
"Righty Tidy..Lefty Loosey"

Charter Member: Dipstick Street Rod Association
Technical Advisor - Barris/Kind Chrysler City Coup'e Kustom

Friend of Ed Croozer

Hey Nitrofc........I want to come to your town and become a fireman.......I just LOVE diet Coors !!!! Ya just make sure ya never drink it when wrenchin' on the ride !!!!
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Build it so low,you have to step DOWN to get in !!!

What's wrong with consumption during construction. I thought working on cars was something to pass time while drinking!

Daryle (40) WHERE'S THE PSU SHIRT?
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John "the shocker" Rocker
DSRA, NSRA, NSMA, KKOA, GAA, FOM, BDA, NRA, WHC, OBX

Bob,Got the photo ready to go...My scanner took a dump....the wife is in charge of purchasing a new one,perhaps this weekend.Will get it posted as well as a shot of the finished ride as soon as it's going.Speaking of Penn State...would loved to have seen them beat Michigan..Sounds like Papa Joe is a bit unhappy with the officials!See Ya!!
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Daryle "It's what we learn after we think we know it all that really counts!"

Al, I keep about 120 cans of my favorite brew in the garage fridge....you don't put out fires with it, you drink as much as you can and as fast as you can then you..ahh....err...pee on the fire..shhhhhh...a trade secret!..lol
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Fred P.

> When welding, do not wear any polyester, nylon, rayon clothing.

Also do not wear any polyester, nylon, or rayon clothing if you plan on being in full view of the public at any time. Under no conditions are Speedos to be worn, in the shop or out.

Yep...I do seem to have a a dislike for pain and the older I get the more precautions I take..I look like Herman Munster when I grind and weld now...Face shield, ear plugs, welding gloves, over alls, safety boots....I still seem to damage myself though..

see ya
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see ya
Pep

If it wasn't for those "it'll only take a minute" or "I won't get dirty", where would all of those nice ex car T shirts that are nice and soft from so many washings come from for polishing that nice paint....lol
Oh yeah, keep a little bottle of Visine in an easy to get to place.....
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Fred P.

I think 40 has an extra bottle of Visine for sale. Heard he got a good deal on one in KC! LOL
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"We don't build 'em like they used to"
Rick
www.loboys.com

Yes Sir!!Got it at the same place that sells all those expensive magazines without cars in them!Can't decide if it was the location or the atmosphere that made everything so costly there :>)By the way,It was very nice to have met you and hope we can do it again soon!! See Ya!!
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Daryle "It's what we learn after we think we know it all that really counts!"

Flash burn in the eyes sucks! Never hold parts with your eyes closed for someone welding cause it will get you every time.

Hey Al...Do you need a hard hat in your shop cause you have to many dragsters hanging from the ceiling? LOL
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I'm the Mikey that dont eat everything!

use safety glasses when necessary
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Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

Lipstick Run Survivor

http://www.geocities.com/lipstickrun/
www.loboys.com

Be sure you remove all your jewelry when you are wrenching on your ride or working around the shop.
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Build it so low,you have to step DOWN to get in !!!

Seems obvious at first to use saftey glasses but the better option is a safety shield. The goggles just protect your eyes while your working but leaves your face exposed. I used glasses a while back and after I finished grinding I lifted them up. That dislodged a slither of metal and it fell into my eye. I instinctivly rubbed my eye and pushed it right in. Three trips to the eye hospital where they eventually drilled it out. I now use a full face shield and as an added protection, I shake my hair before I raise my head. I also keep a strong magnet stored so if I ever feel something drop in, I hold it just off my eye.


see ya
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see ya
Pep

You'd think it would be common sense but after visting and working in some of my buddies shops I'm starting to wonder how some of these guys have survived 50-60 years on this planet. A perfect example is my buddy Bob who has a grinder attached to his bench. This past winter I was over grinding and sand blasting the junk off my convert top bows. Befoe I started grinding, I asked him where he keeps his safety glasses. He says he doesn't have any!! I could believe it. This guy is 57 years old, builds cars for a living, and follows no saftey rules in anything he does! I'm sure I'll be going to his funeral shortly. To make a long story short, I grabbed his motorcycle helment, with face shield, put it on, and began my grinding. Looked funny but I didn't care. He thought it was funny and proceeded to take photos of me grinding with this helment on. I'd post one of the photos but I looked to stupid in that getup. :))
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Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

Lipstick Run Survivor

http://www.geocities.com/lipstickrun/
www.loboys.com

I'll second the strong magnet for getting metal out of your eye. It works and saves alot of money.
TOM

I found the magnets that are used on wooden furniture door the best....they double up as patch panel holders for welding...they keep the section in perfect alignment while you tack weld them in. I store them in a small fishing tackle box with seperate compartments to stop them fighting each other..:-)

see ya
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see ya
Pep

Keep your chisels and punches properly dressed. Tie is optional.:)
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Mike J
Unchartered DSRA Member
If it ain't broke, fix it anyway...

We have a program at work that we call "Take Two". Before you do something, 'take two' to look around and THINK about what will happen when you do your task (is there something nearby that can catch fire when you're grinding on the wheel, or cutting with the torch; if that wrench slips, what will your hand hit?).

I don't use ramps; I use jacks and jackstands. About 10 years ago, a friend of mine had his car on ramps, and he was under it pulling out the tranny. He didn't have the wheels chocked, and he pulled on the trans, the car rolled back, and broke both his legs (he was on his back with his knees up, and the rocker panel hit his legs). He had to crawl about 25 feet to his parents' house to get help.

Take Two...
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phil


It's not a NOMAD, it's a Yeoman!
Not an engineer, but I DO drive a train.

Phil, your friend is a very lucky man.........could have very easily pinned him under the the car. I like that "Take Two" idea. Sometimes we just get in to big of a hurry and that seems to be when we get bit.I have worked 'Flat-rate' as a line tech in the past and to make any money you had to find quicker/faster ways around stuff.NOT always a good thing to do.
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Build it so low,you have to step DOWN to get in !!!

How about "Never leave the chuck key in the drill press chuck" My nieghbor did that to me a few years ago! Missile!
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I know the pix supposed to be of me, but I didn't wanna scare anyone!
http://www.canats2003.com/
http://groups.msn.com/MikesHotRodpicturepages

Speaking of magnets, I have several that came off of old speakers that had a high power rating and seperating them from the encloser is a matter of using a chisel or old screwdriver and they come apart fairly easy. I use them for many things like all of my screwdrivers are magnatized and they are very strong to hold some parts together for tacking. The draw back is that they attract every bit of grinding metal in the shop. A ziplok bag solved that one.
Fred
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Fred P.

Have a ambulance parked in your driveway just incase. If your like me your bound to be hauled away one way or the other! hehehe

Seriously, when ya got your ride on a lift, make sure it's in park and aint gonna go nowhere. Saw a friends car coast right off the front of a Kwik-Lift luckily it was only 3 or 4 feet from the ground and it was close to a wall. End result? Front end was trash after it dove off the lift and slammed into the back wall of the shop.

Grant
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One of the MD Chapter of DSRA & member of NSRA.
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Hot Rod/Custom Car Amateur Designer/Illustrator, Contact via E-Mail if interested.

Possibly because I live in earthquake contry I think of this. Make sure all your bottles (oxy, co2, NOS etc.) are securely mounted to a cart and when not in use I chain my Gas welder to a post in the shop. The MIG and TIG are pretty much wedged between the welding table and the lathe and cannot fall over. You don't want one of those bottles to fall over and break the valve off, all the pictures I have seen of that are not pretty.

Doug
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The Land Yacht specialist

I think I am a member of DSRA

1) Never to any welding with a bic lighter in your pocket.

2) Always tell somebody when your plainning on working
under the car

3) Never use power equipment while your drinking (saws,
nail guns, drills, etc)

4) Some solvent don't mix together... they form a gas

5) Clean up any spills on the floor

6) Never do any painting in the shop with the heater running

7) If your running your car never do it with the door closed

8) Don't use your oven inside the house, to try out your new
powder coating

9) have a fire extinguisher

Here are some things you need in your shop: band aids, rubber gloves, bottle of eye wash, safety glasses, burn cream, frist aid kit, emergency phone number,
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awsum34

Why do people park in a driveway, and drive in a parkway?

What sticks out in my mind is...one night while welding, boxing the frame, I was cooling things down with a small bucket of water and a rag. after a while I accumulated a puddle of water under my feet, along with wet welding gloves handling the rag.... HOLY MOLY! The hair stood on end, and I think I saw GOD or my Mother-in-Laws ghost.
All kidding aside, I damn near electricuted myself from being careless, stupid, and in too big of a hurry.
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Wear your seatbelt.

Use the proper tool for the job and as Norm say, read and understand all power tool instructions and there is nothing more important than your safty glasses. Clean up and put things away or move once in awhile.
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Mike J
Unchartered DSRA Member
If it ain't broke, fix it anyway...

Keep your tools picked up so you don't have to step over them! 1 thing that ticks me off is a messy garage!! I have a friend that is a hell of a engine man but is a slob you can't move in his shop so I don't go over there very often!
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Mike,Charter DRSA Member

messy garage??? I take it you've straightened yours up since the last time I visited! LOL :))))
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Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

Lipstick Run Survivor

http://www.geocities.com/lipstickrun/
www.loboys.com

Hey Denise there wasn't tools all over the floor! What you seen was after using a torch to cut all the rusted scrap off! LOL It's now nice and clean ! Glad I got all the sanding done and now it's in primer!
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Mike,Charter DRSA Member

Man oh man these comments hurt a guy ! I too am a messy garage dude . Trying to improve as all the clutter and tools stacked up makes it difficult to function at times . Good safety tips ! Wink

Put papers, wrappings, cardboard, ect., into a covered trash can so sparks don't ignite. I store oil/gas/solvent soaked rags outside in a metal container in the event of spontaneous combustion. Ear plugs, I just turn my hearing aids off!
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Lynn Stallbaumer

Paint Storage - Un-Heated or detatched garages : Metal cabinet , kinda utility or kitchen pantry style ... on legs is best. Replace the shelves with perforated or expanded metal and install a single light bulb receptical near the bottom ... glue foiled back insulation to the sides and door ...small vent holes on the top. Leave the light on 24/7 ... keeps your supplies " toasty" in even the extreme climates with only a 40 watt bulb ... costs are minimal to build ... almost nothing to " operate" .

Maybe this shoulda went in " Cheap Tricks" ?
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Thanks to my wife , I now know the proper spelling and meaning of the word - ORGANISM

Gonna jack it up? Jack stands, Walmart, $50.00, set of 4.

blksheep....in Charlotte

Ear plugs, ear plugs, ear plugs!!!!
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There's a world of difference between "good" and "good enough".

Since you metioned winter the, biggest thing I can think of is to watch those heaters. I know a lot of us are using portable heaters to heat the garage while working this winter. Good ventilation is a must and make sure to keep things clear of it.

Another one is with all the nicely painted and smoothed frames, it's a pretty good idea to get rubber pads for your jack and jack stands to keep them from sliding around or scratching the paint.

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Be different but be yourself.

A good set of steel toe shoes, sneakers,and/or boots.I wear them all the time. Most other things have already been said. Not fun being around hotrods when you are in a cast or cruches, or worse when you can't see them. Ken
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"Don't let fear and common sense hold you back"
Ken
www.loboys.com

Got to watch a guy almost loose his finger tonight at work. He put a tap in a air wrench to tap a hole. Guess this is the fast way to do this at G.M. Well the tap caught his glove which ripped it off his hand and the tap about cut his finger completely off. He gets surgery fri. Never try this at home in the shop!
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I'm the Mikey that dont eat everything!

Keep steel wool in a coffee can. My steel wool was in a cabinet across the shop from the grinder BUT somehow a spark flew across the shop through a slightly open cabinet door and caught the steel wool ON FIRE! I found out the next day. The fire burned up all the steel wool and melted some plastic but burned itself out... I am one lucky guy!!
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QT32LT1

Keep the wife out of the garage while you are trying to install those expensive new parts she didnt know about and tell the kids there shiney cause you just cleaned them.
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If you want it yesterday, then call me tommorow and I will have it ready today.

From experience....DON"T over-load extesion cords. I lost my house and street rod in Feb '92 from a garage fire that started in an extension cord.

Please check your insurance policies to make sure you have insurance that covers you if you have a garage mishap. I only had "Liability" on my rod (then) and found out that my homeowner policy DID NOT cover my rod so I was S.O.L.

Just got back from Charlotte Good Guys -- another excellent event, even with the weather problems.

Charlie
37 Chevy Ragtop

Wow, sorry to hear about the loss of not only your rod but your house as well. I also lost my 47 Chevy convert to a fire in the summer of 2000. There are a number of memebers here that have experienced this tradegy. We've talked about rod insurance on here a number of times and to make sure you read and UNDERSTAND what is covered on your policy and more importantly what is not covered. It's the perfect time of year to take a few minutes and review your policys and make sure everything is covered. We all hate paying those premiums but better to be safe then sorry. And yes those projects can be covered. You never think it will happen to you, it happens to the other guy. Well there are a number of "other guys" here that it's happened to.

Charlie, glad to hear you had a great time at Charlotte. It's one of my farovite venues for a show. It was just too cold/wet for me last weekend. :) I'm a huge ragtop fan and would love to see a photo of your 37. How about posting one in your profile? If you need help doing this, just ask. :))
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Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

Lipstick Run Survivor

http://www.geocities.com/lipstickrun/
www.loboys.com

Never have sex in your hot rod unless it has 4 jack stands under it at all times
Bobby
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Keep the shinie side up

One thing that I haven't seen brought up is...protect your lungs. Paint fumes, welding (torching) fumes, grinding fumes, dust from sanding, etc. can all cause irreplaceable damage to your lungs. I am 50 and from years of not wearing the proper protection I am now suffering with breathing problems.
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Terry