Serious stuff!!

[Bob Parmenter]

I'm thinking more about the young studs and studettes here than you geezers, it's too late for you! Not really, but you know the bit about old dogs.....................

I was bustin' some rust on some wheels last night and it occured to me that for too many years in my youth I did the same thing most young folks do.......................tempt fate because we're "invincible". Now, as the sins of my past are coming to roost I've gotten smarter (?) and thought I'd pass it along. Of course, most of you will probably treat this like you did any advice your daddy gave you and just dust it off.


Pictured below are a couple items you should always use any time you're kicking up particulate matter. You know; vacuuming rat turds from your new find, sanding old paint, scrubbing 50 years of gunk off the chassis, sanding "bondo" (especially bad for you) etc. I've added one of those inexpensive paper dust masks for comparison. If you use one of these you are at least making an attempt. If you insist on the cheapies, at least buy the ones with two straps, you get some better level of seal that way. The single strap ones are a complete waste of time and effort. However, if you're really interested in making your future a healthier one, get the particulate respirator on the left. It gives a complete seal around the mouth and nose area, has changable filters, and is very comfortable. In the long run they're cheaper than boxes of the cheapies. After a minute or so you forget it's there. These are a 3M product #07183, you can get them at any wholesale auto paint supply house, about $30. Yeah, yeah, I know, ain't cheap. But you were only supplied one set of lungs. The second muy importante item is the safety glasses. Right, real men just fish chunks of junk out of their eys. Been there, done that. Never thought it was fun. Wrap around safety glasses are a must. I've used all kinds, and these are the most comfortable, and offer the best field of vision. Again, once you have them on, you almost forget about them..................well, until you get so much junk on them you can't see through them. But then, that's the message isn't it? And if you use the good particulate respirator they don't get fogged up because of the complete seal.

BTW, a PARTICULATE respirator is no substitute for a CHEMICAL respirator (e.g. for painting), even though they LOOK similar.

Be safe (better yet, smart) out there!

[poncho62]

Right you are Bob.......I have been sidestepping the safety masks, goggles etc for years. I have not had a problem, YET, but have had a few close calls. Was just lucky.....

I always use the PPEs now, hopefully, I will not have respitory problems down the road....having never smoked probably helps.

All the training we get at work these days opens your eyes. Some of my older workmates still don't get it..............

[The Al Show]

I learned the hard way. Getting junk in your eyes is no minor inconvienence. For about 6 months I couldn't drive at night because high beam lights would make my eyes water so bad I couldn't see. Now I have a tiny blind spot. I discovered it by accident one night. When I look directly at a star it disappears. If I look a little right or left it comes back. That's the only way I notice it so It's no big deal. I'm lucky it isn't worse. If you're not as lucky as me your blind spot could be huge.

Another thing I learned the hard way is to wear rubber gloves when I'm doing bondo work. If you keep getting it on your fingers it will eat your fingerprints and dry your skin to the point where it will split and bleed. Don't try to hand sand like that. If you do get it on you wash it off as soon as you can. You can't get it off till it starts to kick (harden). It comes off easier with plain water. Soap makes it more difficult to remove.

[pro70z28]

Doing a brake job is one people don't think about. Brake dust is nasty stuff, and very fine. So it's in the air even if you don't always see it.

http://www.epa.gov/fedsite/vmf/brakes.html

[Bob Parmenter]

Good points guys.

Al, for the "bondo" you can use Boraxo, takes it right off, as you said, before it fully cures. I use it to clean my "bondo" board too, been using the same one for years. Polyester filler (bondo) contains a lot of talc. a)that's what makes it hard on the lungs, b) it takes the moisture/oil right out of your skin.

[inlineidiot]

Good topic there Uncle Bob......Old age and treachery WILL over come youth and skill.!!...

[brickman]

Fine thing you have brought up here Bob, something that should be said and obeyed!

You can not enjoy our hobbie if you can't breath or hear or see.

I would like to see everyone here enjoy our hobby for many many years.

[Hot Rod Angel]

Great topic...this is good advice that should not be taken lightly !
I'd like to also add that anyone with long hair (like mine) should keep it pulled back, machinery & sparks from welders & cutting/grinding wheels are bad news!

Also, wearing jewelry (i.e. wedding ring) can also be dangerous if you get it caught on something...it a good way to lose a finger (or at least part of one!)

[pro70z28]

Originally posted by Streets
Hahaha Kat.. But, they did successfully sew both my fingers back on... hehehe

Oh, kinda' like the time I wuz' workin' construction. I wuz' installin' a garage door, jumped off the ladder and my ring caught on the track. Had to slide my ring back on my finger and stuff my knuckle under the rign to get it off. OOOOOOh that still hurts just thinkin' about it

[Matt167]

This is a good topic. About a week ago a model glue tube blew up in my eye, it really burned, now, I wear safty goggles when building my models. I have never used a respirator when I paint yet, I will start using saftey equipment when I start on the '50 Chevy. I have not done anything too harmful yet other than, sanding and spraying my dirt bike tank in the back of my shed. I need to take more safty precaucions than I have in the past, a start would be a respirator when painting, priming, sanding or bondoing.

[pro70z28]

Back in the days of the repair shop, I did the repair work on the school busses. Can't tell ya' how many times I blew brake drums out with an air nozzle.

[Walt Zander]

Bob--Very Good
Along a different vein, but applys to eye care.
Fluorescent lighting and Eye Strain in the shop.
Two helpful sites to consider when lighting a shop.


www.md.support.org/library/lighting.html
www.thetoque.net/020820/fluorescent.htm

[pro70z28]

Originally posted by Walt Zander
Bob--Very Good
Along a different vein, but applys to eye care.
Fluorescent lighting and Eye Strain in the shop.
Two helpful sites to consider when lighting a shop.


www.md.support.org/library/lighting.html
www.thetoque.net/020820/fluorescent.htm

E gadzz'. I not only have Fluorescent lighting in my shop but in my office as well.
Sounds like the Johnson Rod syndrome all over again

[Walt Zander]

Originally posted by pro70z28
E gadzz'. I not only have Fluorescent lighting in my shop but in my office as well.
Sounds like the Johnson Rod syndrome all over again

Not really Pro70--
Pertains to placement and styles, affecting the eyes with the inherent flicker of fluorescent and how it can be counteracted.

Johnson Rod?-Well ..they quit making them out of norbergite!

[pro70z28]

Originally posted by Walt Zander
Not really Pro70--
Pertains to placement and styles, affecting the eyes with the inherent flicker of fluorescent and how it can be counteracted.

Johnson Rod?-Well ..they quit making them out of norbergite!

But Walt..... I wuz' referin' to yer' second posted site..... Quotin' the honorable von Skall.... last 2 paragraphs really drives his point home. He HE

The most dangerous time for humans is just before the bulbs flicker and burn out. The mercury vapour is heavily charged with these human auras and souls, which may cause a logarithmic need for even more. Von Skall has collected anecdotal evidence of Extra Purple light travelling as far as the washroom, suggesting that the Chthonic Particles are not far behind in their search for human soul energy.

Because it isn't practical to replace all the flourescent bulbs that we may come in contact with, von Skall recommends wearing a hockey helmet lined with tin-foil to lessen the impact of the particles they are emitting.