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AUGUST: Tip of the Month

 
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jegner
Site Admin


Joined: 30 May 2003
Posts: 2144
Location: Texas, USA

PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:18 am    Post subject: AUGUST: Tip of the Month Reply with quote

Health issues abound with this hobby. This month's tip I wanted to cover some basics. From MDF mold dust, to fumes release from resin casting, making replica props, or using these materials for other projects, can be hazardous to your health.

Eyes:
Wear eye protection when sanding, resin casting, working with bondo, fiberglass, or even paints and dyes. You DO NOT want anything getting into your eyes. You only have 2, they have to last your whole life, take care of them.

Lungs:
Wear a dust mask when sanding. MDF dust, sawdust, and debirs from grinding resin etc. will collect in your lungs, and make you sick. Invest in a good dust filter, respirator rated for sanding dust, or even make a sanding station. [A pegboard box, connected to a shop vac, used to collect the sanding dust.]

Skin:
Wear rubber gloves when working with bondo, or casting resin. Even paints will get on you. A good idea, wear old clothes, and gloves. You can get a nasty burn when mixing portland cement, and some of these chemicals, like resins, and thinners can be asorbed through the skin.


Other concerns:
Vacuum forming is a hot prospect, and if you are like me, I operate my machine in an un air conditioned space. During the Fall, Winter and Spring times this is not much of an issue. But the hot Summer is. Drinks lots of fluids and take frequent breaks. A 350 degree oven running in a 100 degree shop can spell disaster!

I've not melted too much plastic, but on a rare occassion, it happens. As a precaution, be sure to operate your vac form machine in an area that can get lots of fresh air. Use a fan to draw air in.

When working with resins, do as much as you can outside. Bondo stinks, and is cause for alarm if you work with it in a basement. The fumes are terrible, and can make you sick. Casting resin, although no as stinky, needs to be worked with in a well vented space with lots of fresh air.

Sanding MDF molds should be done out doors as much as possible. Mixing plaster or Ultracal should also be done outside.

Some basic precautions will make this hobby safe and fun.

Be careful. Be safe.
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crashmann
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Joined: 27 Sep 2005
Posts: 501

PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Excellent advice Jim!

Some other things I've found while working in the shop:

First Aid Kit - mount it on the wall in your shop, and do not block access to it. Also, periodically check the expiration dates of ointment and other medicine in there.

Leather Gardening Gloves - You've seen me wearing them in my videos and you certainly do not want to get burned when playing with hot plastic. Have extra pairs on hand for when your friends come over to play.

Ventilation - Good air flow means you're not just sucking air out of the shop, but also blowing fresh air in. With my garage, I open the front roll up door, and I've got double doors on the back. I place a box fan at each door blowing in at the back, and out the front since that is the natural flow when the breeze blows.

Full Face Shield - Goggles are good, but a full face shield will keep flying bits from going up your nose or in your mouth when your Dremel cutting wheel breaks apart.

Boots - or at least closed toe shoes. Ever drop something on your foot? Sandals don't provide much protection from hammers. At least a shoe will help to spread out the impact.

Dust - Like Jim said, always wear at least a dust mask, but even better is an OSHA approved respirator. I always do my sanding outside the shop, that way I'm not making a mess inside that I'll have to clean up on a later date.

Jewelry - My wedding ring is no longer a circle, it's an oval! You don't need to wear your bling when in the shop, and you certainly don't want to risk ruining it!

There's plenty more safety practices to be followed, and Google will certainly return boatloads of information. Keep safety in mind when working in the shop, and you should come out with all of the parts that you went in with (still attached to your body Razz )

Charlie
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CJanssen
Expert


Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 215
Location: Beaverton OR

PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 5:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Those are awesome tips fellas.

I thought I would throw a few more on there.
1. Keep your breakers marked so power can be cut in a hurry if need be
2. Keep a fire extingisher in the shop, rated ABC

CJ
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TK 109
Guru


Joined: 11 May 2007
Posts: 712
Location: Galena, Ohio

PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i have one....

TURN YOUR OVEN OFF AFTER VACUUM-FORMING Laughing !

i nearly burt my shop down by leaving my oven on all night!

plug to oven into a GFCI outlet. it'll ALWAYS kick when something is up (or whenever it feels like kicking...)

hehe... the previous owner of our shop over engeineered EVERYTHING, from outlets to size! we have an air conditioner, heater, and a car-wash station. he worked on old cars and such, and my shop is basically a detatched 2-car garage, with attic. Very Happy

that's all i have there!
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