rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
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Post by rocknewb101 on Jan 22, 2024 15:32:00 GMT -5
Hi all - I've been perusing the site and came across some info re: wearing a respirator while slabbing/cutting, but I didn't note anything about cabbing. I am pretty diligent about wearing my respirator and goggles while cutting on both my trim saw and the drop saw, and also while grinding on the 80 and 220 wheels, but I'm curious what others do once they hit the soft wheels? It's my understanding that more smoothing, less material removing is what's happening here so it maybe makes sense to not have to use the respirator for these latter stages - What do you all do? (I always wear my eye protection, regardless).
There's a mason at work who was recently diagnosed with silicosis related cancer (I think) and had to have a lung removed so i've been a little more cognizant of the problems that can arise. I do hate wearing it though, so if I can cab the soft wheels safely without then it'll make it much more comfortable. However, I WILL continue to use it without complaint if there's any level of risk. Curious on your thoughts. TIA
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gunsil
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2023
Posts: 345
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Post by gunsil on Jan 22, 2024 16:08:43 GMT -5
Well, I'd say it's not really necessary when using water cooled wheels. I use old school machines with pressure water feed and I don't believe any rock dust is in the air when I cab. There is definitely water spray in the air but I have never seen rock dust in the spray. I wear a respirator when using carving burs which I don't do a lot but anytime you like to use one I'd say you are on the safer side of cabbing. I wear a cheap surgical mask when using my 6" saw for making preforms since it does throw oil mist, my bigger saws are enclosed and I don't open them until well after they shut off so I am not breathing the oil mist.
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
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Post by rocknewb101 on Jan 22, 2024 16:31:57 GMT -5
Well, I'd say it's not really necessary when using water cooled wheels. I use old school machines with pressure water feed and I don't believe any rock dust is in the air when I cab. There is definitely water spray in the air but I have never seen rock dust in the spray. I wear a respirator when using carving burs which I don't do a lot but anytime you like to use one I'd say you are on the safer side of cabbing. I wear a cheap surgical mask when using my 6" saw for making preforms since it does throw oil mist, my bigger saws are enclosed and I don't open them until well after they shut off so I am not breathing the oil mist. Thank you gunsil! I was worried that even the water spray would have dust (mud?) in it and I could still breath that in. I think I'll continue doing what I'm doing on the hard wheels (just in case) but relax a bit on the soft wheels. My drop saw doesn't have a lid on it so if I'm standing right there then I do wear it - just in case. Breathing in oil particles doesn't seem like it would be good for my lungs. I can set the drop saw though and walk away - when it's done there's a guide stand that hits the bottom before the blade does...thanks for your thoughts! |
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ThomasT
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2022
Posts: 616
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Post by ThomasT on Jan 22, 2024 17:01:49 GMT -5
Would you be happy if your employer decided to have just a few asbestos fibers flying around in the workplace?
Does your smock get covered with rock dust?
Hi,
Cabbing or faceting is way different than tumbling rocks.
I feel sure the last thing most folks want to do is contaminant their lung, family members, your home/family or shop with hazardous (asbestos, mercuric, silicon.. etc.) dust from open air grinding of stone.
Rock tumbling is one thing that is generally safe, but cabbing stones or faceting is something else.
For jewelers and lapidarists the greatest vector of asbestos into the lung is in the work area cleanup dust raised.
You should be sure to put all effort into not allowing rock dust into your lung.
As my old Doc says " you should only breath clean air"...
You will not regret being careful,
Thomas
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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 22, 2024 17:26:53 GMT -5
FWIW, here's the mask that I wear just for cabbing. This is probably 6-8 years worth of dust from my machines. Until very recently the inside of the mask was completely white, but now I see that it's actually past time to get a new one. Gotta keep that silica (and other nasty compounds) out of my lungs! Do you really want to inhale this stuff?
Another consideration is that a good portion of that silica is white/clear, which by itself would be less visible.
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ThomasT
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2022
Posts: 616
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Post by ThomasT on Jan 22, 2024 17:40:22 GMT -5
After reading the blog awhile, I am concerned that some home artisans may, over the long term, hurt themselves or their family/children with some really bad dust inside their home without realizing it.
Be careful with that dust,
Thomas
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Post by chris1956 on Jan 22, 2024 18:08:47 GMT -5
I almost always use a respirator when cabbing. I was originally concerned about inhaling particles contained within the spray aimed right at my face but you may also be stiring up particles from drops that have fallen on the floor and dried. I find the respirator easier to breathe through than a N95 mask. It is more cost. I also mop up the floor often to try to keep that contaimination down.
On the flip side, I live on a gravel (crushed limestone rock) road. You can't get anymore rock dust than that. Luckily, I am about 500 feet away from the road, uphill about 40 feet, have lots of trees between road and house, and live on the south side which keeps most of the dust going the other way with our prevailing winds. I can't imagine living right next to the road and where the wind is blowing the dust right at you most of the time.
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller 
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,495
Member is Online
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Post by realrockhound on Jan 22, 2024 18:12:31 GMT -5
Never used one. Use enough water that I’m not concerned
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 22, 2024 18:17:14 GMT -5
There are certain materials that I use with a respirator. Copper bearing stones, tiffany stone... stuff like that. I use both geysers under the wheel I work, so I am getting plenty of water. Sometimes, I just use a particle mask. (dust mask)
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 22, 2024 18:17:48 GMT -5
FWIW, here's the mask that I wear just for cabbing. This is probably 6-8 years worth of dust from my machines. Until very recently the inside of the mask was completely white, but now I see that it's actually past time to get a new one. Gotta keep that silica (and other nasty compounds) out of my lungs! Do you really want to inhale this stuff? A picture is worth a thousand words. |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 22, 2024 18:30:23 GMT -5
FWIW, here's the mask that I wear just for cabbing. This is probably 6-8 years worth of dust from my machines. Until very recently the inside of the mask was completely white, but now I see that it's actually past time to get a new one. Gotta keep that silica (and other nasty compounds) out of my lungs! Do you really want to inhale this stuff? A picture is worth a thousand words. Another consideration is that a good portion of that silica is white/clear, which by itself would be less visible. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 22, 2024 18:42:28 GMT -5
A picture is worth a thousand words. Another consideration is that a good portion of that silica is white/clear, which by itself would be less visible. Will you make an individual post for this so I can sticky it? That picture really says it all. |
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ThomasT
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2022
Posts: 616
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Post by ThomasT on Jan 22, 2024 18:53:33 GMT -5
rocknewb101 I surely hate to hear of people unknowingly hurting themselves pursuing art. Workplace studies show that the greatest source of asbestos and related fibers exposure for jewelers and lapidarist was the cleanup of the area. After cutting/polishing with water to keep the dust down, the lapidarist's sweep up/cleaning of the work area was the major vector for the air borne particles of asbestos. Last thing you want to do is contaminate yourself, your home, family members, or shop with asbestos dust. Take care! Our shop cannot permit some material to be polished on site due to potential health, property damages, cleanup costs. Bests regards, ThomasT
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Post by opalpyrexia on Jan 22, 2024 18:58:02 GMT -5
Another consideration is that a good portion of that silica is white/clear, which by itself would be less visible. Will you make an individual post for this so I can sticky it? That picture really says it all.
I've added that statement to my post above. Good?
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 22, 2024 19:00:13 GMT -5
Will you make an individual post for this so I can sticky it? That picture really says it all.
I've added that statement to my post above. Good?
Ooops, I meant a new post with the picture and explanation. Sorry, not clear. |
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
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Post by rocknewb101 on Jan 22, 2024 19:05:42 GMT -5
There are certain materials that I use with a respirator. Copper bearing stones, tiffany stone... stuff like that. I use both geysers under the wheel I work, so I am getting plenty of water. Sometimes, I just use a particle mask. (dust mask) I will have to start researching what I'm cutting/grinding so I can learn which are more dangerous. I know malachite, copper and irons make sense. I wouldn't knowingly touch asbestos...I mostly do agates and jaspers so thinking those are lesser. I do have my water up fairly high too. THank you! |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 22, 2024 19:10:15 GMT -5
There are certain materials that I use with a respirator. Copper bearing stones, tiffany stone... stuff like that. I use both geysers under the wheel I work, so I am getting plenty of water. Sometimes, I just use a particle mask. (dust mask) I will have to start researching what I'm cutting/grinding so I can learn which are more dangerous. I know malachite, copper and irons make sense. I wouldn't knowingly touch asbestos...I mostly do agates and jaspers so thinking those are lesser. I do have my water up fairly high too. THank you! Somewhere on the board, there is a list of hazardous materials. I would never cab malachite, bumblee bee jasper or cinnabar- for sure. Not even with precautions. I've heard arguments for and against tiger eye and pietersite, too. But, I think the verdict is that the asbestos is silicated. (?) Used with plenty of water it should be ok. I never cab tiger eye- not my favorite stone, but I've cabbed a lot of pietersite. |
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ThomasT
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2022
Posts: 616
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Post by ThomasT on Jan 22, 2024 19:10:31 GMT -5
Be careful with your mineral dust management from your hand-held work especially.
Those working should know.
Best regards,
Thomas
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
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Post by rocknewb101 on Jan 22, 2024 19:13:49 GMT -5
 Thanks everyone! Rest assured I most definitely use my respirator. I do tend to remove it though once I get to the soft wheels, but may just keep it on throughout. I remember the last time we went 4-wheelin' and we are in the back of the pack, wondering what breathing in all of the dust from the machines in front was doing to my lungs too - We were in WV so coal dust on plenty of the trails...hmmmm.....anyways, thank you! |
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rocknewb101
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2022
Posts: 1,368
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Post by rocknewb101 on Jan 22, 2024 19:18:50 GMT -5
I will have to start researching what I'm cutting/grinding so I can learn which are more dangerous. I know malachite, copper and irons make sense. I wouldn't knowingly touch asbestos...I mostly do agates and jaspers so thinking those are lesser. I do have my water up fairly high too. THank you! Somewhere on the board, there is a list of hazardous materials. I would never cab malachite, bumblee bee jasper or cinnabar- for sure. Not even with precautions. I've heard arguments for and against tiger eye and pietersite, too. But, I think the verdict is that the asbestos is silicated. (?) Used with plenty of water it should be ok. I never cab tiger eye- not my favorite stone, but I've cabbed a lot of pietersite. I did not realize about Tiger eye - I'll look for that link to hazardous materials. I just got a chunk of blue tiger eye so I'll just be sure to take extra precautions with it - use a lot of water and keep my mask on - One of my success cabs was the tiger eye I did (no scratches!!  ). Thank you! |
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). Thank you! 
