Thread: Sanding v/s Health

But isn't it great when you blow your nose at the end of the day and the tissue is filled with red gold!

You should invest in a large dust extractor and extract to outside the workshop. That few hundred dollars for the dust extractor is cheaper than medical bills not to mention the potential cancer hazard.

David

Pariss,

Yesterday I used an open top rotary sander to flatten a Brown Mallee Burl Cap for a presentation Pen Rest, I use a separate Dust Extraction system for many of my machines but a real lot of dust escapes so I got in first and opened the front door of the workshop and placed a standing fan immediately behind and without any mask at all acheived the previously impossible dust free sanding ie for my nose. There are mini cyclone fans out there at reasonable prices that may assist you.

Years ago Richard Raffans brother also a highly regarded Turner proffessionally had set into the wall of his shed a giant extraction fan no mask no probs, this slightly out of town.

Short summary Dust Extraction methods,

Saw Bench 1 hp extractor separate, 21 inch Bandsaw fixed 1 hp Extractor, Several large to 15 inch flat plate round disk Sanders Separate ext., Along one wall 4 inch plastic pipe system individual branches to 12 inch Disk sander, Heavy Duty Router Stand, Bench Drill, Separate Ext to three saws, Pen Wizard fixed ext and so on.

Pics of the VL100 ext system now modified with the recycled paper bin now a new fangled cyclone and the whole of house dedicated vac to this lathe only, another built in 1 hp to another wood lathe. Some pics including the small 14 inch bandsaw.

Take care,

Kind regards Peter.

I use a DE rolled outside the shed when I have it switched on. I also have a fan at the end of the shed blowing towards the open door. Together with a powered dust mask I don't have any dust problems at all. Even the first filters on the dust mask last for ages without showing any sign of dust since I bought the DE. Previously I was changing the first filter cloths every day.

Cheers for the replies guys. Yes, I also have a great dust extraction system + 2 industrial fans positioned at one end of the shed to create a kind of 'laminar-flow' system, but sanding Red Cedar creates 'finer than talcum powder' particles that just float around in the shed, looking for a nose to slip into. I'm just recovering from the bloody flu, and my snozzer is still inflamed and tender. .

This is a great thread, is good to get a reminder from time to time. I for one will often start sanding or turning something and forget to put on a mask. My wife is often telling me that my sneezing and coughing after not putting on a mask is no good for me. I am going to have to invest in another vaccum for my dust collection system and practice a few more safer practices.

I have a DC running in my shop and I still where a respirator. No way can it catch it all and what it cant is usually the finest of dust that will make you the most uncomfortable. I trimmed a few gator jaw bones 2 weeks ago and did not wear my mask and was hurting for over a week. I hope it is the last time I am too lazy to take 5 steps to pick it up.....not likely but I hope.

Originally Posted by plantagenon

I use a DE rolled outside the shed when I have it switched on. . . . .

Where outside the shed is it?
If it is anywhere near an open door or window then it is pretty much a waste of time putting it outside.

I explain why in this post.

Hey Guys. This is the respirator I normally use. Super light, and the filters weigh almost nothing. Its made from latex and is soft and cool on your skin. A fantastic face mask, just gotta remember to put the bludger on !! RESP HALF 3M 7500 SERIES DD 7503B L (04127998) | Blackwoods

Thanks Bob. I didn't realise that. I have it on a platform just outside the door. I have a fair length of flexible hose attached to it so I will move it to the side of the shed around the corner and away from the door. I store it inside the shed when not in use to keep it out of the weather. Generally, it seems to be working as I can't see any fine dust in the air inside the shed. Before I got one it was dust cloud inside. But I will follow your very good advice

I still wear a powered Carbatec mask regardless and the absence of any sign of dust on the initial filter is an indicator something is working.

I mentioned some time ago that its not only the dust that gets you, its also the fumes from CA and other chemicals used to glue and polish the blanks. I was getting terrible headaches from CA and nitro. Then I bought a chemical mask from Bristol Paints (around $80) and use swap it it when applying the chemical finish. Since using it I have not had a headache or a problem with the finishes. Finally, I use disposable gloves (get them from any supermarket) when applying CA etc. as the chemicals can get into your system through the skin as well as being breathed in.

Originally Posted by plantagenon

Thanks Bob. I didn't realise that. I have it on a platform just outside the door. I have a fair length of flexible hose attached to it so I will move it to the side of the shed around the corner and away from the door.

That will be better than outside the door. It's pretty obvious that many members are not reading the Dust Forum as I see a lot of comments on dust in forums other than than in the Dust Forum which shows a very poor understanding of dust issues.

[quote] I store it inside the shed when not in use to keep it out of the weather. Generally, it seems to be working as I can't see any fine dust in the air inside the shed. Before I got one it was dust cloud inside. But I will follow your very good advice[QUOTE]

I mentioned some time ago that its not only the dust that gets you, its also the fumes from CA and other chemicals used to glue and polish the blanks. I was getting terrible headaches from CA and nitro. Then I bought a chemical mask from Bristol Paints (around $80) and use swap it it when applying the chemical finish. Since using it I have not had a headache or a problem with the finishes. Finally, I use disposable gloves (get them from any supermarket) when applying CA etc. as the chemicals can get into your system through the skin as well as being breathed in.

Good point.

I have some experience with this - a few years ago I partially poisoned myself using two pack epoxy without gloves. I had foolishly chosen a brush that was dropping bristles and I was wiping these off with my bare fingers. My finger tips and lips started tingling and I felt nauseous, I eventually identified these effects from the MSDS sheet available on-line, as the precise symptoms of poisoning from this product. The MSDS said it was unlikely to kill and to monitor the symptoms and seek medical advice and by then I was feeling a bit better and the symptoms eventually disappeared over the following 24 hrs

Originally Posted by Pariss

Hey Guys. This is the respirator I normally use. Super light, and the filters weigh almost nothing. Its made from latex and is soft and cool on your skin. A fantastic face mask, just gotta remember to put the bludger on !! RESP HALF 3M 7500 SERIES DD 7503B L (04127998) | Blackwoods

I second what Paris said.

Got one of those masks last Christmas and they are great.