Good Day I had a close call this weekend and hope that sharing my experience could prevent an injury. The seal in my 1955 three piece fuel cap was rock hard and I decided to use a gas torch to burn it out if the brass insert. I looked around for a surface that would not burn, and decided on the garage concrete screed floor. The job went nicely, until there was an explosion! Well more like a firecracker pop. The thermal stress had caused a piece of 5cm diameter by 1mm deep concrete to shatter violently. A small piece hit me just below my eye, with the brass insert hitting the roof. I was very fortunate not to get injured, and even found the insert. Perhaps there was some moisture or gas trapped in the concrete, but I'll be using a steel base for hot work next time. Kind regards Johan PS, The 249 came out great, and it is the first I've seen with the Coleman ceramic burner nozzle.
Johan I’m glad you escaped injury. I’m also glad you let us know what and how it happened. I use to encourage my staff to report near-misses without any threat of criticism, because it’s how we learn what not to do. My hot-bench is a bit untidy (really untidy!), but I use a very high temperature oven tile for hot work. I bought it from a ceramics shop, but I’m sure you can get one from an industrial place. Glad you’re not hurt (too much). Tony
@JohanOptimus Thank you for sharing. I do as Tony with a piece of fire brick, the type you find in some wood stoves. Using slate type rock is also dangerous for the same reason. I learnt this when camping. Cheers Pete
@JohanOptimus Thanks for sharing that, it is useful to share best practice and near misses. Glad you weren't injured. @AussiePete I hadn't had thought of using a fire brick for this. A good, simple solution.
Thanks Tony and Pete. I am sure the firebrick will work if one can get hold of one. I alao wondee about a bucket or large can filled with dry sand?
I use a cobblestone when I do anything like this. @JohanOptimus you are very lucky, you could have sustained eye injury! Wow!!!
Anything insulating (underneath) is to be preferred, not only to protect but also to avoid heat from the object to flow away. For instance, to hold a to be heated metal object in a big steel vice is like heating a room with a window open.
