Do we have access to a protable plasma cutter and is certification course required? I need to chop some bits off my jeep and wanted to make sure this was available before i trailer it down to DMS.
Thanks,
Max T.
Yes we do have a plasma cutter that’s portable. You are required to have the training before use though. I am not 100% sure where the outlet is for it in the auto area, I think it’s by the roll up door. However you may want to check with @Brandon_Green about using the plasma cutter in automotive area. I don’t think it would be an issue because some welding has been done there but that’s not my call.
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I think it’s probably just fine, IF you do it safely and clean up after yourself. That means:
- Protecting others from arc flash (yes, plasma cutters generate UV just like welding)
- Watch where the hot slag spray is going - don’t catch stuff on fire
- Clean up by sweeping up the cooled slag and anything else you’ve made dirty
- Put the plasma cutter back where you found it (or, if you know it wasn’t in the right place to begin with, back where it belongs)
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Isn’t it 120 volt? If not there is a 208 outlet between the dock doors.
Try to use something to block view if there are others nearby (to not blind them), I recently ordered some portable screens that aren’t in yet and will get an extra fire blanket also, which will be better than trying to prop up cardboard
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If you are cutting underneath your Jeep I’d suggest getting a full face shield like this one. 
I’ve cut underneath a Jeep before, my beard saved me from getting slag on my face. Also wear atleast FR sleeves to keep your arms from getting burned. These hazards aren’t normally there when using a plasma cutter on a level surface.
I don’t think we have welding screens. We have curtains but they are in the metal shop.
We used to have some big (probably too big) welded up homemade ones, but they switched to curtains. There’s an agenda item on the next BoD FWIW: Board of Directors Meeting 20161021 - Dallas Makerspace
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What’s the link to this - maybe something we should have in Metal Shop.
Aboslutely! Let’s get more screens so that more of the Metal Shop area can be used. No reason someone doing TIG welding on the table-o-doom has to prevent someone else from MIG welding elsewhere.
Which were you referring to David?
When is the next class? Can’t seem to find it in the event list.
The Chain Saw Murderer Face Shield
I agree some UL/Fire Marshall acceptable screen would be nice to have - if not truly needed.
https://www.amazon.com/Jackson-Safety-Goggles-Anti-Fog-Package/dp/B00982XL52
They have several shades. They can be bought other places too.
I choked at cost but realized it was for 6 shields. Maybe have them split up between Metal Shop, Machine Shop, Autoshop (working under cars) and maybe even Woodshop (thinking all the crap lathe workers get hit with). Share the cost.
We can buy them cheaper. That was just a quick search from a “reputable” website
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There’s no reason that we couldn’t require members to supply and wear their own PPE. This would cut down on PPE abuse and loss.
No PPE? No using tools. Simple as that.
I agree with this. One thing the makerspace could do is buy bulk and sell it back to the members so members have access to bulk prices.
I can agree with this for things like safety glasses (the ugly plastic over-glasses, goggles, Rx safety glasses, all should provide full eye coverage and side shielding), hearing protection (plugs or muffs), and respirators. Not sure about face shields because they aren’t often used by most people unless they do a lot grinding or wood lathe turning. Those that do tend to buy their own so they aren’t all scratched up.
But items that might only be a one time or of rare use, like these face shields, not sure sure about that. What about welding helmets? Welding gloves, welding upper-body protective clothing? Should they all be required for purchase?
Note: I personally own every listed item above except this special face shield. I specifically bought an auto-darkening welding helmet that has a “grinder” mode so it can be worm in lieu of full face shield when grinding because face shield I have attaches to a hardhat (prior work environment). I believe in PPE, also keep my leather steel toed safety shoes in car and safety shoes that are rated to electrically isolate you from the floor when working around high voltage. They also have safety steel toes … never figured out how the steel and isolation worked.
Everything in first paragraph I think you as an individual should own based on the area and material you work with. Again the face shield might be the exception. Some folks rarely use a grinder or a wood lathe. If you are using a saw overhead (say cutting a muffler) you really need goggles or full face cover so it doesn’t come around the sides or top. I always worked for companies that were very very safety culture oriented. Several repeat violations were a fireable with cause offense.
So in short, Yes to some, no to others. The latter should be available at DMS to promote safety. Certain areas should be mandatory to work in, like wood shop: high noise, high particulate air content and fly wood chips and dust. I’m probably in a very small minority for this opinion. The Chairs of the respective areas need to make those calls or BoD mandates.