Am I just being a big girls blouse or what?

[Random Orbital Bob]

Hi Folks

When dry grinding HSS turning tools, naturally quite a lot of steel particles get deposited. Should you take breathing protection measures as you would when fine sanding? Or are the particles too heavy to get airborne?

 

[Jamesc]

It is realy a question of quantity and duration/frequency. Yes any air bourne particles can be harmfull and in industry if any great quantity of grinding were undertaken then Extract would be mandatory (before anyone starts quoting this and that exception I am simplifying here to answer the question).
However unless you are overly sensitive than sharpening the odd gouge should be fine.
If you are worried a shallow bowl of water directly inder the wheel will capture the majority of particles.

James

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Thanks for that

 

[Dangermouse]

If grinding several chisels one go or do it a lot as you work then you do need to be aware that particles of steel and wheel dust will be breathed in and cause harm to the lungs. Wearing a mask is the best option, a bowl of water wont catch the tiny air borne particles, the same with placing a magnet under the wheel, that will take care of the steel bits, but the wheel dust will still be in the air.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

I spent best part of an hour last night batching up jobs that had been queuing up. When I finished, my shorts were covered with a fine layer of black dust...that's what triggered the thread. It sounds like a mask for sessions of that length is a sensible plan.

 

[Baldhead]

BIG GIRLS BLOUSE? I think not.

My late father was a face worker down the pit, he suffered with respiratory problems for years before it prematurely ended life, please do not suffer the same.

My workshop is the garage, when I sand wood I do it outside or in the doorway with a mask on.

You probably already wear eye/ear protection so what's the difference?

BH

 

[Boxer]

I work as a health professional and get to see lots of guys in their sixties and seventies who are now suffering breathing problems and cancer from the crap they inhaled when they were working.

We've all got to die of something, but there are better ways to go than these.

Do yourself a favour and wear a mask.

 

[soulboy]

Do yourself a favour and wear a mask.

and long trousers! :shock:
chris

 

[No skills]

I work as a health professional and get to see lots of guys in their sixties and seventies who are now suffering breathing problems and cancer from the rubbish they inhaled when they were working.

We've all got to die of something, but there are better ways to go than these.

Do yourself a favour and wear a mask.

I have a few breathing problems myself atm, waiting to see of its the family asthma or side effect of my work. Hopeing for the former, dreading the latter - I'm 36 btw. Various cancer (throat/lung), emphysema are common with metal workers - chap I used to work with has emphysema, forced to retire early - not sure how many years he will have.

In short wear a mask, a proper mask suitable for the hazard - don't skimp.