The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Keeping the '46 original - Input appreciated.

Be careful with the rag wet with linseed oil. Do NOT just wad it up and put it to the side. Linseed oil air oxidizes and polymerizes exothermically (giving off heat) and the wadded rag retains the heat. Warmer now, it oxidizes faster and retains more heat. You know the routine. Poof, it's on fire.

When I'm done with a linseed oil rag, I lay it flat on concrete outside to dissipate the heat and wait for it to set-up.

I once gave this spiel to students when they got back from Thanksgiving break. One came up afterwards and said he and his dad burned down their shop a few days earlier when they wadded up the rag and just put it to the side.