Hi Richard,
I've heard of this before. A fellow writer-Roger Crowhurst-was working
on a fuel tank gauge seal in a kit car. He dropped his inspection lamp
and the whole thing blew up, seriously damaging his face and arms.
If I do have a pit, I had the notion of using a boat bilge blower. These
are designed to clear dangerous fumes-inc. propane- from the hulls of
boats. Apparently, they are 12 volt and guaranteed spark proof. I'd run
it for a period before going underground, as a matter of course.
Of course, there are pit rules, like...
Don't run an engine over a pit when you're underneath.
Be aware that most volatile fumes are heavier than air.
Use spark-proof lighting.
Don't fall in.
and so on.
I would prefer the lift but I have to invetigate things like cost, power
supply, space, etc. So far, I've found the Machine Mart lift would be
too wide at 10ft 1 inch overall but it is rated at a whopping 49cwt. It
costs about £2,800. Another lift-on which details are being sent as I
write-is rated at 39cwt (better) and costs a basic £2,000. I'll let you
know more soon...
Cheers,
Dave Hill
richard bacon wrote:
>
> When I was a student, working at my dad's auto parts on the weekends,
> I'd sometime serve a local backyard mechanic in his early 40's. He used
> to work in a garage specialising in truck and buses repair. One day,
> while welding a buses's muffler, the leaking gas tank exploded. He was
> engulfed in flame in the 20' long pit. He barely has a face today. I
> dont want to sound depressing, it's just my opinion that if you have the
> moolah, a lift would afford a little more safety. Or then again maybe
> your car would fall on your head...
>
> rick
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