Welding blankets

[belfert]

I need to do welding on my bus to add an additional roof A/C unit.  Does anyone have any recommendations for welding blankets to keep from burning up the bus?  The original welding was done when the bus was a stripped shell and I didn't care if a few sparks fell on the floor.

Harbor Freight has cheap welding blankets, but the warnings on the web site are kinda scaring me off.  It sounds like they are not heavy duty at all.

[luvrbus]

Belfert, you can more for your money by buying a furnace curtain same thing and I have seen a lot of rv repair guys using heavy duty aluminum foil   

good luck

[rv_safetyman]

Brain, interesting question.  I did the exact same thing a few years back and I can't remember exactly what I did.  My recollection was that I put a piece of plywood under the opening and then used some old blankets that were soaked with water.  I did the welding from the roof, so I could put the plywood directly under the opening.

Not matter what you use, be sure to have a spotter standing by with a good extinguisher.  As you know, I hate dry powder extinguishers and in this case the would not be all that effective.  Best would be a 2.5 gallon water type extinguisher with a foam or surfactant additive.  Second best would be the same unit with just water.  If you don't have a water extinguisher, you should be able to find one at a garage sale or perhaps one of the vendors that advertise in BCM .

My real reason for writing is to remind you to unhook the engine ECM.  I also unhook the inverter.  Of course, you want to keep the ground very close to the welding, making sure the where you are clamped is not isolated from the parts being welded.

Will be interesting to see what others recommend.

Jim

[eddiepotts]

Look at Auto Zone they have a metal oil drip pan that is 25" x 36" " http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Blitz-3-4-x-25-x-36-in-galvanized-drip-tray/_/N-25yj?counter=6&filterByKeyWord=oil+pan&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=475418_0_0_ " Just have some one or a 2x4 hold it up around your opening where you are welding.

[Jeremy]

I use the sound proofing / fire insulation sheet taken from the underside of a car bonnet (hood). It actually came from my Cadillac so is pretty large. It's a compressed fibreglass insulation material with a felt-like skin - stiff enough to be stood up against a wall, but can be bent to fit a shape if required. It cost nothing and seems ideal for the purpose.

Jeremy

[luvrbus]

If you welding with wire and gas shouldn't be a problem anyway

good luck

[belfert]

I already had a fire in the bus from welding two years ago and it cost me $750 to replace everything that burned up.  That is why I want to get welding blankets or something this time.

And yes, I will disconnect the ECM, Vanner, and everything else that could be damaged.

[robertglines1]

bolt it in ------    Didn't realize till later when I re read  I meant frame support or roof strength supplement in that area. sorry.

[belfert]

Of course the air conditioner will be bolted on, but it still needs a 14"x14" hole framed in to support it.

[luvrbus]

Bob is talking bolting the frame in  you see it done all the time even with 2x4's lol

[robertglines1]

or 1 1/2 angle or tubeing bolted to roof structure

[rv_safetyman]

Bob, I think I understand what you are saying.

The issue, if the Dina is like the Eagle, is that he has the cut the center stringer.  I know that I wanted to weld the framework to that stinger to make sure it did not deflect from the weight of the AC bouncing down the road.

Jim

[belfert]

There really is no center stringer in a Dina.  All of the roof cross pieces are really light stamped steel.  They used the same metal in the center as all along the roof.  Dina uses a truss design on the sides so the roof isn't load bearing. 

I would think the roof might flex a bit too much just bolting instead of welding.  I'll have to ponder it a bit.  I won't get out to the bus tonight as it is 100 degrees today, but probably tomorrow.

[Busted Knuckle]

I won't get out to the bus tonight as it is 100 degrees today, but probably tomorrow.

OH NO YOU DON'T!
As much time as you spent inside this winter and spring because it was TOO COLD to go out and work on the bus!
Get yer butt out there and sweat a little MR!

 BK  

[robertglines1]

Brian. you prob weight about same as ac unit(couple hundred lbs) if that will give you a Ideal of deflection in the area you would like to mount it.  Again sorry for the unclear bolt it response earlier. The factory prevost I'm rebuilding now just had 2 ea 1 inch tubes span between center two length way roof members to support roof airs. rest of framing for ducting was plywood. I removed all because I'm going with a totally differant hvac system.   Bob