[TheForge] Chip forge

[Steve Smith]

By the way, good luck at the hospital. Not the kind of trip that one 
looks forward to, but hopefully you'll get some improvements.

Steve

Mike Porter wrote:

> Steve
> Most refractory is pretty inert. High temp. refractories are not likely 
> to include silica, as it depresses melting temperatures.
> 
> You would use a powered exhaust in order to protect your health (look up 
> carbon monoxide for instance). You would also use it to keep your 
> working environment from becoming uncomfortable.
> Mike P.
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Smith" <sos at alum.mit.edu>
> To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 5:09 PM
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Chip forge
> 
> 
>> Why in the world would you use a powered exhaust?
>>
>> Guys, I'm not a safety nazi. I think my question was reasonable...I 
>> think Mike explained it well by pointing out the difference between 
>> the balls (alumina) and RCF (crystabolite). I now see the error of my 
>> ways wrt alumina balls.
>>
>> Does the same logic apply to forming balls out of castable? I haven't 
>> looked up the ingredients, but I suspect the answer is different.
>>
>> Steve
>>
>> Mike Porter wrote:
>>
>>> If you should come to have such a dust problem, you'll know it. 
>>> However, even if you did, I expect anyone taking the trouble to build 
>>> a ceramic ball or ceramic chip forge would use a powered exhaust, so 
>>> a possible very minor dust problem would be less of a health risk 
>>> from ceramic balls than breathing on a windy day outside.
>>>
>>> Most ceramic fibers are spun alumina/silica, and once they're brought 
>>> up to red heat they form crystabolite; it is a much more serious 
>>> health risk than alumina dust. BTW the greater portion of natural 
>>> dust is made up of silica and alumina.
>>>
>>> Nevertheless, I've never considered natural dust as belonging in my 
>>> lungs either. If you want to have the ability to enjoy your old age, 
>>> take care of yourself while young. However, if you want to have a 
>>> life at all, use common sense--not over-reaction. Nobody is 
>>> completely safe, and the attempt to cover all your bets will simply 
>>> foreclose all possibilities but misery for the rest of your days.
>>> Mike P.
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Smith" <sos at alum.mit.edu>
>>> To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 4:25 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Chip forge
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> So a different question. Fibrous insulation can give off 
>>>> particulates which aren't good for the lungs. How about ceramic 
>>>> balls, particularly (I had to put it that way) home made ones? 
>>>> They're going to get a lot of abrasion, being shovelled around all 
>>>> the time.
>>>>
>>>> Steve
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>>>
>>>
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> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
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