Shopsmith Forums

I was curious what others are doing for storing flammable chemicals (finishes, high flash cleaning chemicals, etc...). I was looking at a fancy little wall cabinet that's rated for this purpose, but the 4 gallon unit cost around $300... After some of the other purchases that have been made and others that are in the very near future, I'm sure that SWMBO will not be terribly happy about that... But I know that the wood shop that I worked at in high school had a few large flammable cabinets in the finish department.

So does anyone else have a fancy storage method for their chemicals or do you just use a standard cabinet? Where would you place this on a cost vs. risk assessment?

Back when I was working for a living (instead of being on the dole) we had lots of flammable stuff. OSHA giged us big time for inadequate storage. Research found we could build a storage locker that would meet OSHA standards.

It was made from two layers of 3/4" Sheetrock. The big box (really a floor cabinet) was held together with 2x4s on both the inside and outside.

I keep most of my flammable products in their original containers and in a closed cabinet. I think as long as they are not mixed or left open they are fairly safe that way.

For chemicals that are mixed, many of which react chemically I insure I use them completely after mixing or dispose of them. I would never consider keeping them in my shop.

My biggest concern is rags used with some the chemicals that are photo reactive or known to cause spontanteous combusion. Those rags are either disposed of by immediate burning or soaked with water and stored in an empty sealed gal paint can filled with water. I never allow chemical soaked rags to lie around in my shop, period.

If all else fails I will take the rags and seal them in a plastic garbage bag and store them outside in a safe area until the garabage pickup takes them.
I try to mimimize this as I don't want werid chemicals entering the land fills.

Also in our area we can take old chemicals to a collection center where they dispose of them for us.
Ed

Ed in Tampa wrote:I keep most of my flammable products in their original containers ................
.....................Also in our area we can take old chemicals to a collection center where they dispose of them for us.
Ed

Me too, on both of these counts]http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/images ... 2/idea.gif[/IMG]

And then I go to Costco and buy several of those smoke alarms, put batteries in them and place them above everything.

Again I hope this does not side track the thread but......

Someone once told me the biggest cause of house/garage fires was the cars parked in them. I have no idea if there is any truth to that accusation but I know in my case I tend to worthy more about the vehicles I park in my garage than I do the chemicals I store there.

If you think about it most chemicals stored in their original container has little potential for problem when compared to an automobile which is usually already hot when parked inside. And has it own methods for heat generation (the battery) and huge supply of flammable material (gasoline, oil, other fluids, hydrogen from the battery, fabrics, and rubber).

I guess we can make our selves crazy worrying about a can of turpentine and forget the real potential bombs around the house.

The major danger with an enclosed cabinet containing volatiles is the accumulation of vapors. Open the cabinet and throw a nearby light switch, and suddenly you have a really good story to tell the folks crowded around your hospital bed. When I wrote my book on "Finishing," we took an ordinary metal cabinet that we picked up at a garage sale and vented it to the outside. It has two vents, one high and one low, connected to 4" dryer vents with 4" ribbed hose. The upper vent has a 4" muffin van that blows out 24 hours a day. It's been about 15 years and I haven't had to visit the hospital once, although I did replace the fan a while back.

With all good wishes,

The venting issue was one that had been a sticking point for me. I know that I didn't want to have a vent opening straight out to my garage with more than a few ignition sources.

Would it be better to store the chemicals out in my "little" yard shed that isn't attached to the house or setup a vented cabinet in my attached garage? Nick, do have any fears that the fan motor could cause a spark?

guvnuh4 wrote:Nick, do have any fears that the fan motor could cause a spark?

My question exactly! I would think unless the muffin fan was an explosion proof fan it carries more danger than it prevents. Also if it doesn't have a fire quenching grill (approved by the forrestry service ) I would think it could turn into a really neat flame thrower.

As for outside storage in a garden shed you have to consider the lack of climate control. The chemicals could get too hot, too cold which could cause them to expand (read explode) or render them useless. For instance I had a full gallon jug of Titebond go bad I think from heat. I really don't know but it turned a really odd color orange and when I asked I was told it as no good.

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!! Out In Another Place Not In Your Shop, Take It From Someone Who Knows.