Exploding Boat

[wet-foot]

The angle grinder creates a lot of static electricity while working on fiberglass. Should I be concerned ( fuel tank fumes ) about blowing this thing up? There are no sparks just extreme static. thx in advance!

[jimslade]

Just make sure you have no leaks or fumes. Be safe!

[timgoz]

Good Ventilation!

TGoz

[SamSam]

Ground the boat or the fiberglass somehow.

[wet-foot]

any ideas on how to ground the grinder to the hull? The grinder has a 2 prong plug.

[timgoz]

I'm not sure how to ground FRP, but you ought to ditch the two prong grinder and get a grounded one. It might very well keep you alive one day.

Take care.

TGoz

[johnnyv]

If you have access to an innert gas like nitrogen, flush the fuel tank with that before sealing.
Otherwise ground the fuel tank or hull.

[wet-foot]

Have no access to nitrogen, but come to think of it the hull is not grounded so I will do that. Sure it will make a big difference. Thanks j-v!!!!!!!

[Frosty]

You dont need to ground anything. Electricity does not normally pass through fibre glass, or does it pass through the plastic bodied grinders that your 2 pin plug is wired to,--thats why it can be 2 pined.

jeeeeeees ive done some grinding in my life time, never even thought about static.

A fire,-- I have often lit by grinding steel into a rag at a constant and heavy hand, eventually the rag inflames, buts that all.

[wet-foot]

I guess that's the real question, can gas vapor be ignited by static? My guess would be yes

[waikikin]

Plenty of sparks inside the grinder on the commutator/brushes thingy?, airs probably safer but you need plenty of it, I've seen like mini lightning/flashes in the dust storm of grinding on an epoxy foam boat years ago- would run in waves through the static attracted dust on the glass/resin surface & the shop vac would build up a mean static charge, absolutly shocking it was. Definatly get rid of the fuel risk. Regards from Jeff

[Bergalia]

If you have a power source for the grinder - then you'll have a power source for a portable fan. Cover your fuel tanks/fuel lines/engine with rubber matting (car mats, or whatever) and place the fan between grinder and fuel fume source (blowing any fumes away from area of grinding). Grind in short bursts to allow build-up of static to disperse. At the same time double up your insurance.