meviva
Cave Dweller 
Member since July 2013
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Post by meviva on Apr 6, 2016 10:40:57 GMT -5
Do you use a respirator when using your saw? If so, what kind do you use. I just ordered a slab saw and will be using it indoors. I'm concerned about breathing in whatever might get into the air.
Thanks,
Andrea
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indiana
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
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Post by indiana on Apr 6, 2016 10:57:34 GMT -5
I use this kind when using my tile saw. It's a wet saw so I don't know if it's necessary, but better safe than sorry and all that.  |
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 6, 2016 11:01:23 GMT -5
That's a good question. I never use a respirator when cutting but wait for saw to stop completely to open hood. Oil mist would be main concern. Respirators are rated for what they are good for so read labels. Most common ones are for dust, Drywall dust, etc. I'm guessing for oil mist you would need one rated for painting. I think it would be conceivable when using trim saws to ingest vapor carrying silica but never have done more than use in a well ventilated space.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 6, 2016 11:30:14 GMT -5
I don't slab, but when I cab, I use a full mask type canister respirator for cutting the ones I know that are dangerous. Like, I won't cut malachite, bumble bee jasper and copper bearing stones to name a few.
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Intheswamp
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Member since September 2015
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Post by Intheswamp on Apr 6, 2016 11:35:37 GMT -5
Do you use a respirator when using your saw? If so, what kind do you use. I just ordered a slab saw and will be using it indoors. I'm concerned about breathing in whatever might get into the air. Thanks, Andrea In another thread I think it was captbob (?) that mentioned an exhaust fan. If nothing else, why not have a window at one end of your work table/counter and position the saw there? Open the window and place a box fan in it. I would think it's definitely a good idea to get the mist out of the room for both health and building/contents reasons. |
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geezer
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2016
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Post by geezer on Apr 6, 2016 12:00:03 GMT -5
Never thought of using a respirator. Planned on cutting malachite with LOTS of water, but like the canister respirator idea better. Rockjunquie, thanx for the tip!
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
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Post by Sabre52 on Apr 6, 2016 12:20:36 GMT -5
Yeah, I use one when I'm inside where I'm exposed to the oil mist. I use the painting type with replacable filters. Mostly though I don't sit in the same room with the saw and let the mist settle before I open it up. The oil mist can cause pneumonia. My old Lortone drop saw used to generate so much mist I'd get a chronic cough if I was around it too much.....Mel
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Apr 6, 2016 12:39:46 GMT -5
Do you use a respirator when using your saw? If so, what kind do you use. I just ordered a slab saw and will be using it indoors. I'm concerned about breathing in whatever might get into the air. Thanks, Andrea I use industrial food grade mineral oil as a coolant in my enclosed slab saws so there is no toxicity in the oil but it still isn't healthy to breath any oil mist or mineral particles trapped in the oil. IMO if you are going to be slabbing indoors you should set up some sort of ventilating system to trap the mist or send the mist outdoors. I have my slab saws in a separate building with garage door that I can leave open and the wind moves the mist that escapes around the lids outside. So I don't wear a respirator when slabbing with enclosed saws. But After turning the saws off after the cut is made I let them sit a few minutes before opening and then after opening the lids and step away from the building for a few more minutes to give time for the mist to clear out. When slabbing with an open saw, trimming cabs, doing heaving grinding on coarse grits, or cutting possible toxic minerals or Abalone Shell then I wear the 3M 8210Plus disposable dust masks. Larry C. |
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Apr 6, 2016 12:54:23 GMT -5
Never thought of using a respirator. Planned on cutting malachite with LOTS of water, but like the canister respirator idea better. Rockjunquie, thanx for the tip! While water does trap and weigh down toxic dust particles the fine air-borne water mist coming off the wheels still contains the toxic particles of which some is likely to get breathed in. And the more water the more mist. So IMO it's a good idea to wear a mask when cutting potentially toxic minerals or when doing heavy grinding of high silica content minerals. Also any water splatter or mist that has settled around the shop should be cleaned up ( I use a wet natural sponge) because when the water drys out it leaves behind the dust particles from whatever material you've been cutting which when dry can become airborne again. Larry C. |
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 6, 2016 12:54:33 GMT -5
My saws have full lids but I have always placed towels over the lids every time I use them and after 4 years of slabbing there is zero oil residue on any of the tools sitting right next to my saws. I have to replace the towels a few times a year because they do get heavy and dirty from the oil. I use mineral oil and by the time the blade stops and I open it I have never noticed any issues.
I use the dual cartridge respirator when cabbing nasty stuff and have been trying to remember to use a paper filter with the rest.
Chuck
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micellular
has rocks in the head
Rock fever is curable with more rocks.
Member since September 2015
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Post by micellular on Apr 6, 2016 13:06:10 GMT -5
I wear a mask whenever I remember (the N95 valve type that Indiana posted) when I cut anything. I've noticed myself coughing if I don't - even if I'm at the club workshop and not actively cutting.
Better safe than sorry. Pulmonary disease is a nasty way to go.
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meviva
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Member since July 2013
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Post by meviva on Apr 6, 2016 13:19:52 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for the good information. It is better to be safe than sorry that's for sure. I have a door and a window in the room. I was going to put the saws on the far side of the room but maybe I will put them by the door and get a fan. I wonder if I can put wheels on the saw's stand so I can move it as needed. I'll have to see about that too. Towels are a good idea too. I was going to get some kind of cover for each machine to protect them from the oil mist.
Andrea
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geezer
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2016
Posts: 338
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Post by geezer on Apr 6, 2016 14:21:26 GMT -5
Never thought of using a respirator. Planned on cutting malachite with LOTS of water, but like the canister respirator idea better. Rockjunquie, thanx for the tip! While water does trap and weigh down toxic dust particles the fine air-borne water mist coming off the wheels still contains the toxic particles of which some is likely to get breathed in. And the more water the more mist. So IMO it's a good idea to wear a mask when cutting potentially toxic minerals or when doing heaving grinding of high silica content minerals. Also any water splatter or mist that has settled around the shop should be cleaned up ( I use a wet natural sponge) because when the water drys out it leaves behind the dust particles from whatever material you've been cutting which when dry can become airborne again. Larry C. If you do any casting, don't forget about the silica in the investment! When you dunk a flask it can get into the air! |
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Mark K
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Post by Mark K on Apr 6, 2016 14:35:50 GMT -5
I have the door open so the mist will go outside. My new shop is going to require something more I think.
I don't want to get pulmonary disease, but if I do, there is going to be a clearance sale with brains splattered on the stuff.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2016 15:01:57 GMT -5
Hi Andrea,
Everyone has great advice. Thanks for the thread. Love sharing your journey.
Use bardahl no smoke to minimize mist. It ain't perfect. I recommend considering enclosing your saws in their own room. Cover the walls with something that can be washed down. This way the mist doesn't end up coating everything in your shop.
Like a laundry room but for the saws.
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Post by Pat on Apr 6, 2016 15:06:25 GMT -5
I use the blue paper mask that attaches to my ears, as opposed to going around my head. These are worn for cutting and cabbing.
My saws are only 4", 7", and 10", so they all use water. The 4" in inside shed. Others are completely covered outside when not in use.
Your idea of wheeling those saws outside is an excellent idea. Will also give you room for more toys.
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indiana
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
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Post by indiana on Apr 6, 2016 15:14:39 GMT -5
I have the door open so the mist will go outside. My new shop is going to require something more I think. I don't want to get pulmonary disease, but if I do, there is going to be a clearance sale with brains splattered on the stuff. Great, then I'd have use a respirator and rubber gloves. |
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Apr 6, 2016 15:16:04 GMT -5
I should add that slab saws can be messy on occasion. Oil drips on the floor are a common even if just from removing drippy slabs. Clean outs can be a little messy too.
I have both my saws on homemade wooden carts with locking wheels so I can put them away when not in use and pull them out by my garage door when I use them. When I am using them I dump out oil-dri and spread it around so my floor stays clean. When the saws are put away I just sweep the oil-dri up and store it for next time.
The worst oil mess I have had was when I had my lid up and was pulling my vise back after a cut. The saw has a switch that turns it off when the vise reaches the end of the cut. Something got hung up and when I pulled the vise back to start position it flipped the switch and turned the saw on with the lid open and me standing right in the line of fire. I got soaked and also had about a 6 foot streak of dirty oil on the floor in front of the saw.
Chuck
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Post by Pat on Apr 6, 2016 15:52:27 GMT -5
Maybe you could have a concrete slab poured adjacent to your outside wall, and have a roof overhead. My two saws are on concrete, no roof though. I cover them with thick plastic over a big towel to protect them from the elements, and protect the kitty that walks over them. They each have their own wheeled store-bought cart. Used.
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Mark K
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Member since April 2012
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Post by Mark K on Apr 6, 2016 16:23:21 GMT -5
And again, Shitgunner is right. If you can't find a way to coat the walls, old king size sheets over plastic stapled to the wall will keep the mist from damaging the walls.
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