Replies

1. 
   esch5995 | Jan 02, 2021 07:42am | #1

   That is not a simple question to answer. It depends upon several factors.

   Are you a pro shop where local regulations and insurance issues can arise?

   Do you have an open source of ignition in your shop area i.e. A pilot light for a water heater or furnace?

   What is the volume of material you are storing?

   What type of material are you storing? Lacquer is much more flammable than Danish Oil.

   The simple fact is storing small amounts of solvent based material in a home shop is generally okay, but you have to be smart about it. Garages are generally safer than basements for storage etc. You should know how your Insurance will react in the event of an incident as well having a claim denied could be much more costly than a $600 cabinet.

2. 
   mikefm101 | Jan 02, 2021 11:37am | #2

   Assuming you are working out of your basement shop and not generating income from it (I.e. not pa professional woodworker) then I’m not sure you need either cabinet as long as the cans are quite some distance from a flame or other ignition source.

   I have several quart cans of solvent in the basement. A can of polyurethane isn’t going to ignite easily. I keep a 5 gallon can of gasoline in my garage. If you smoke I’ll assume you are smart enough to not do so over a can of paint thinner.

   I am *very* careful about letting rags and gloves dry thoroughly. I’m far more worried about those catching fire than I am about a can of mineral spirits 30 feet away from the furnace that is also on the opposite side of a wall. Far more war stories and examples of fires starting from rags left in a pile than from enclosed cans of solvent combusting.

   Mike

3. 
   user-6480500 | Jan 03, 2021 09:06am | #3

   If you don't have one already put a smoke detector in your shop. Steel cabinets will contain the fire and some smoke for a short period which depends on how they are constructed.

1. 
   sclause | Jan 05, 2021 01:15pm | #5

   "If you don't have one already put a smoke detector in your shop." Smoke detectors and dusty shops do not live peacefully together. It is not a good environment for a smoke detector. It will soon end up being a plastic housing without a battery.

2. 
   Mist55 | Jan 05, 2021 05:32pm | #6

   Great info thanks

4. 
   tugboattrav | Jan 05, 2021 12:19pm | #4

   Mike, Esch 5995 and User-6480500; like the French at Yorktown, you have come to my rescue and ensured my victory. I am forever in your debt. Go forth and do many great things.

5. 
   woodnuub | Jan 05, 2021 08:17pm | #7

   I agree with mikefm101 that the real problem is the rags. I bought a lidded metal can that seals well at a big box store, and my rags go into that can at the end of the day after laying on the concrete floor for a while. Rags that are soaked with oil get sent outside to the driveway to get some air.