PSA: Boiled Linseed Oil Flammability--It's Real.

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  • Steve9
    • Jan 2017
    • 421

    PSA: Boiled Linseed Oil Flammability--It's Real.

    Nice YouTube vid, demonstrating the flammability/spontaneous
    combustion of BLO-soaked rags.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw5MqfrxM9g
  • epm729
    • Oct 2009
    • 3422

    #2
    That's one of the first lessons I learned in Junior High shop class along with dust explosions. Thanks for posting ,we all need a reminder. Eddie

    Comment

    • SirWilliam
      • Mar 2018
      • 775

      #3
      My in-laws had a fire back in February-the workmen had been there earlier in the day finishing the woodwork and left all the rags in a pile in the upstairs hall. Hopefully they will be able to move back in by the end of the year...

      Bill

      Comment

      • lapriester
        • Oct 2009
        • 16980

        #4
        My neighbor's newer than mine bouse is an example. He used BLO to finish his deck 15 years ago and left a covered garbage can full of the rags on his deck. When the rags ignited it ended up taking the house with it.

        Comment

        • la Fiere
          • Oct 2009
          • 2207

          #5
          What is the best way to handle BLO-soaked rags to prevent this?

          Comment

          • Fogtripper
            • Oct 2009
            • 3268

            #6
            Originally posted by la Fiere View Post
            What is the best way to handle BLO-soaked rags to prevent this?
            I just hang them on a line outside until they dry/polymerize.

            Comment

            • Kestrel4k
              • Dec 2012
              • 2101

              #7
              Remember learning of this danger as a child; how adults can't know this, I just don't understand.
              Kestrel4k feedback thread

              Comment

              • BSAGuy
                • Dec 2018
                • 2412

                #8
                Originally posted by Kestrel4k View Post
                Remember learning of this danger as a child; how adults can't know this, I just don't understand.
                Agree, especially any workman that is specifically using BLO. Mindboggling.
                Be Prepared

                Comment

                • Str8liner
                  • Dec 2013
                  • 476

                  #9
                  I have a coal furnace in garage and just toss them in it when I am done. If they want to combust they can have at it. None ever have I might add. When I have a fire going in the winter it is free heat lol. The rags I use to wipe down stocks are thin, and don't absorb oil like those terry cloth ones so I think that has something to do with it...

                  Comment

                  • Skeet6
                    GSM Master Instructor
                    • Oct 2009
                    • 1696

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Str8liner View Post
                    I have a coal furnace in garage and just toss them in it when I am done. If they want to combust they can have at it. None ever have I might add. When I have a fire going in the winter it is free heat lol. The rags I use to wipe down stocks are thin, and don't absorb oil like those terry cloth ones so I think that has something to do with it...
                    I used to light them and toss them in my burn barrel.
                    Mike B
                    CMP GSM Master Instructor
                    NRA Range Safety Officer
                    Still searching for WRA 1614856.

                    Comment

                    • hkshooter
                      • Dec 2018
                      • 59

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Kestrel4k View Post
                      Remember learning of this danger as a child; how adults can't know this, I just don't understand.
                      I just stumbled across this thread and I agree. Being taught this as a teen in shop class I don't understand how people don't know this.
                      Funny, I was just using some BLO last night in my garage. I tossed the rags over into the middle of the concrete floor away from everything, just in case. Threw them in the trash today.

                      Comment

                      • GenYus234
                        • May 2019
                        • 142

                        #12
                        Originally posted by la Fiere View Post
                        What is the best way to handle BLO-soaked rags to prevent this?
                        I put them on the outdoor grill.

                        Comment

                        • boss429
                          • Mar 2013
                          • 43

                          #13
                          Turpentine will also spontaneously combust.

                          Comment

                          • Gman366
                            • Jan 2010
                            • 1130

                            #14
                            I put all the rags soaked with linseed oil it a large plastic jug, like the mayonnaise containers they used in restaurants, & fill it with water. When it is full, I drain it in the laundry sink & put it in the trash, still wet.

                            Comment

                            • Unpaid Comintern
                              • Dec 2020
                              • 13

                              #15
                              The Well There's Your Problem podcast also had a recent episode about a linseed oil fire.
                              "An unarmed people are slaves or are subject to slavery at any given moment" - Huey P. Newton, Co-founder, Black Panther Party

                              Comment

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