Beginning Restoration Tip: February 2014 "Safety"
Glen has asked a few of us restorers to share a few tips each month, this is my contribution, I hope it helps a few of you out.
Safety:
So you want to restore razors? Well safety should be one your top concerns when you first start out! Now i’m not talking about wear googles,gloves where applicable, and a respirator (which you should ALWAYS do when you spreading particles in the air) or a thick apron if working with buffing wheels but other safety concerns.
Tetanus:
Personally, as a healthcare provider in my real life, I cannot emphasize how important it is to get your tetanus shot! If you’re doing blade restoration you WILL be working rusty metal. Some may think, “I’ll just soak it in bleach then I won’t have to worry about tetanus”. I’m here to say don’t be penny wise and pound foolish.
From mayoclinic.com:
Signs and symptoms of tetanus may appear anytime from a few days to several weeks after tetanus bacteria enter your body through a wound. The average incubation period is seven to eight days.
Common signs and symptoms of tetanus, in order of appearance, are: Spasms and stiffness in your jaw muscles, Stiffness of your neck muscles, Difficulty swallowing, Stiffness of your abdominal muscles ,Painful body spasms lasting for several minutes, typically triggered by minor occurrences, such as a draft, loud noise, physical touch or light
Other signs and symptoms may include:
Fever, Sweating, Elevated blood pressure, Rapid heart rate
The current vaccination recommendation is to get you tetanus shot every 10 years or if you have no record of vaccination... While you’re at it you can get the “tdap” shot and be immunized to pertussis and diptheria as well!
DON’T ROLL THE DICE! JUST DO IT!
Respiration:
Now the general rule is if your sanding ANYTHING you should wear a respirator... Do not wear one of those white face masks made of paper. Buy a proper respirator! Having worked in a cancer institute I can tell you, lung cancer is no joke!
I would start here:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...sp%2Caps%2C285
and buy one that seals around your mouth and your nose. You should feel the mask suction around with each breath. Make sure you have extra filters around and make sure they are rated for organic materials.
Pro-tip: Another way to cut down on particles in the air is to zip tie a house hold air filter to the back side of a box fan... Set it on high and leave it on for the duration of your work session and for about an hour after to further clean the air.
Toxic Materials:
Here’s a list of different woods that may cause a skin or respiratory reactions:
http://www.wood-database.com/wood-ar...-and-toxicity/
on anything that has the arm icon I would wear longer sleeves and wash up after each encounter with these woods (this also applies to g10). Breathing in some of these particles could cause pneumonia or whole body reactions... If you’re realizing that you are having an allergic reaction take 2 benadryl and see if you get better. If the rash is still around in 4 hours take another benadryl. If you are having trouble breathing or not getting better with benadryl, GO TO THE ER IMMEDIATELY.
Other Side notes and tips
If you are working around a sharp blade, wear gloves. I have also taped the edge of a blade if It was already honed and I did not want to hone it or doing some light work on some scales like repinning. When I tape the edge I make sure at least 3/4 inch is hanging of the edge of the razor so that should the blade close in on one of my digits the tape would hit my hand first instead of the sharp edge...
Sanding: Always always always use some sort of backing with sand paper. Do not take your bare fingers to back the sand paper. This could lead to early onset arthritis or something called “trigger finger” which will require surgery. Trigger finger occurs when the nerve bundle around the finger thickens making it painful and difficult to move. To back sandpaper I usually use a small sponge or large eraser... I’ve heard some people use a part of a radiator hose to get in those hollow grinds. You may be able to do 1 razor and not damage your hands or fingers but after 30 or so you damage your hand irreparably.
Well Thats all I have! have fun and be safe! Other safety tips not covered here, please comment below!
