wallster wrote:
I was watching Discovery channel's "American Chopper" last night. In the
past, I've read threads about the disregard of welding helmets while tack
welding, eye protection while grinding, etc. Last night they out did there
lack of safety by filling a balloon with acetylene, setting it on the
ground, pouring gas to it and lighting it. No disclaimer regarding safety
either. Hopefully some yougster won't think that was cool and try it at
home. The fact that filling a balloon with acetylene is really dangerous
(static electricity and kaboom... off with those fingers, hand, face...)
then lighting gasolene (indoors too!) WOW!, makes jackass look like brain
surgery.
I posted a warning on the the shows forum board.
Did anyone else see this show?

walt




Didn't see the episode, but I too have memories of daft kids in my class
at college. They filled the lids of spray cans with varying quantities
of Oxy Acct mix to see who could get the biggest bang and the best hight
out of their, now, projectile.

It ended after a few days when a couple decided to see if they could use
the Normal welding torch to cut the chain on the portable trolley. Of
coarse it did, and that would have been that, but they decided to hide
the damaged chain with the HOSES going to the torch. The still hot chain
ignited the the gasses in the tubing and awe all had to evacuate.

Only saving grace was that they had not at this point fitted Flash back
arrestors, and so it was all covered up very quickly.

But could have been very nasty.

I take it there was no 'Don't try this at home kids' anywhere in the
narration or end credits?

All the best Vaughn