[TheForge] Re: oil/wax finish, blackened steel

[Mike Spencer]

> ...I've been warned that the dryers in "boiled linseed oil" and
> japan dryers are capable of giving you heavy metals poisoning...

I think (but can't immediately confirm) that "Japan drier" has become
a generic term for several kids of drier.  Cobalt is used in several
brands of driers.  In addition I've seen an allegation that "boiled"
linseed oil contains "arsenic, beryllium, chromium, cadmium and
nickel" as drier constituents.  Bleee.  

Years ago, a smith here called the makers of a brand of boiled linseed
oil sold here and asked about using it on food prep utensils.  The
company rep emphatically urged him not to do that, but to use "raw"
linseed oil. The rep confirmed that "boiled" isn't boiled but has
driers added.

So I just stay away from "boiled" linseed.  For a railing or exterior
paint it's probably fine but why mess around?

- Mike

-- 
Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada       .~. 
                                                           /V\ 
mspencer at tallships.ca                                     /( )\
http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/                        ^^-^^