[Woodcarver] Dust Safety

[dick carter]

When I first started carving it was all power. Lotsa dust. After a bout of 
hacking.coughing, I decided to invest in a 'point' dust collector as the 
overhead dust collector wasn't getting it all & the small exhaust that I had 
on the bench wasn't getting as much as I wanted.

After a trip to the doctor***, I decided to invest in a total dust collector 
& I chose a 'Racal' dust mask. This is a full face mask!!! It has filters & 
a battery-operated fan. It takes-in outside air, runs
it through the filters and blows it past the face piece so there is no 
fogging. Works real well and can be used if you have a beard or wear 
glasses. It was difficult to get used to, but after you got used to it, it 
was like being in a dust-free environment. Battries (rechargeable) last 4 
hours and can be recharged in 7 hours, so a set will last you all day.

*** The doctor told me that breathing smoke, dust and other air-borne 
particles destroys some of the little "thingies" (don't remember the medical 
name) in the lungs. Once destroyed the rest of the good ones have to take-up 
the slack. Eventually you develop serious breathing problems.

I've switched over to all knife-carving, but I still use power for wasting & 
do it with my Racal.

Dick Carter

>From the Manadnock area of NH

rhc511 at hotmail.com
Please check-out my stuff at:
http://www.picturetrail.com/cartersstuff