I finally got a fire extinguisher
 

my home workshop is a 12x16 shed with a 4 foot tall 2nd floor for storage. yesterday my 3 year old son was in the shed with me playing 20 questions while i was putting a clutch back together on a tractor i recently bought and with all the distraction i assembled it incorrectly, when i finally got the engine back in there were some sparks flying when i fired it up which resulted in removing the engine to solve the issue. it was really no big deal as it only took 30 minutes to pull the engine and solve the issue but it was an eye opener to the fact that ive been lucky to not burn my workshop down for the last 3 years with all the work i do out there. i picked up an abc rated fire extinguisher at lowes for 40 bucks and hopefully i never have to use it but i will be glad i spent the money if i ever do, im planning to pick up a second one for out there to mount on the other wall right next to my parts washer.

A fire extinguisher is one of those tools that most forget to have in the shop, man cave, or whatever we all call them. Good reminder for me to get out and check mine. Hopefully I'll never need it. Always good to be prepared. :beerchug:

I've had to use a fire extinguisher on my 1811. Oil pressure line melted oil sprayed all over the hot muffler. Not a good feeling seeing a cub on fire. I did save the tractor with minimal damage.

Good reminder to all.:beerchug:
It's one of those things over looked until the time comes when one would be REAL HANDY!

I'm gunna go ahead and say it is arguably the most valuable tool in the shed. Change your clocks, change your batteries and check your ABC's! Glad you have an extinguisher!:beerchug:

Thanks for the reminder. I need to get a couple new ones for the shed. Its a 12x12 but I keep two small ones in there

Just don't be like the guys that worked for me. Had a couple fires here where we needed an extinguisher. They all went running in circles looking for them, not know what to do. I grabbed the closest one and put it out. We then proceeded to make sure everyone knew where they were. They all said it happened too fast, and they knew where they were. Stay calm in an emergency. Clear thought is most important!!! :beerchug:

Good reminder! I haven't checked mine lately either. :bigthink:

I've used them a few times... Hard to say if I "needed" to use them, but I wasn't taking chances. They're cheap insurance and I think I'm up to 11 or 12 now of assorted sizes and locations.

FWIW, Amazon has the Kidde "pro" line of extinguishers (which really aren't much better than the normal ones comparing the looks of the two) for $40 and you get a slight discount if you buy more at one time. They have metal handles and are rechargeable. My home improvement store extinguishers are 1 and done.

http://www.amazon.com/Kidde-21005779...e+extinguisher

Thanks for the link, might have to order a few.

Thanks for the reminder! :beerchug:

Make a sign and put it on the backside of the clocks or under them.
"Check extinguishers"
for pressure
AND shake them up until you can feel or hear the powder flowing back and forth inside.
The powder can cake up inside and not allow it to come out when needed.
Especially the longer it sits in one position.
Which you hope will be forever.

Its kinda funny that i made this thread the other day and then yesterday i was literally on fire for about 2 minutes before i realized it:biggrin2: i was at work doing some welding and my leg was kinda hot, i kept looking down but had my helmet on and couldnt see the flames and figured it was the ground cable heating up which was right next to my leg. After 2 minutes i figure something was up and when i took my helmet off sure enough i was on fire, 6 inches was burned off my pant leg and my shoe was melted and burned. I think the only thing that kept me from being burned was the fact that i was wearing tube socks and that they were soaking wet with sweat.:biggrin2:

A simple way around this is to mount them sideways. When you take it off the wall to use it you'll automatically dump the powder back to the bottom. It's a common recommendation for boats since all of the wave bashing can really pack the powder into the bottom.

Of course, shaking them up from time-to-time never hurts.

Yikes!!! Might be time for some welding leathers!