Subject: Re: safety glasses

From: chris Hubbard <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 4 Mar 1996 18:44:00 -0600

Someone asked what the long term effects of eye burn from hot metal might
be. Since I teach human anatomy and physiology at the University here I
might be able to answer the question in part.
      If the piece of metal or foreign object actually burns the cornea (the
outer most covering of the eye) the ultimate effect may be scaring of the
corneal surface or deeper resulting in loss of vision to some degree.  The
only cure for serious scaring is a corneal transplant.  I too have had a
piece of metal tweezered out of my eye ball because I did not wear glasses
when grinding.  I have no lasting damage but I did learn a valuable lession.
I NEVER do any metal work without glasses.  Chris Hubbard, Dekalb, IL

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From: "Szucs" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 5 Mar 1996 09:47:52 -0500

> I NEVER do any metal work without glasses.  Chris Hubbard, Dekalb, IL

	Ooooo oooo... mee too...  1980... grinding w/out goggles.  *Tiny*
	sliver in the left eye.  Off to LaGuardia hospital where doc numbed
	my eye and proceeded to scrape the splinter out with a needle from
	a disposable syringe.  Gave me the willies, but I didn't dare
	shiver for fear of spearing my retina or something equally revolting.

	Needless to say I learned me lesson.  Don't play games with your
	vision.

	-Andy V.

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From: chris Hubbard <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 6 Jun 1996 17:49:44 -0500

I have two questions for the experts out there.  Has anyone heard of a cast
steel anvel marked L.L. & B. Co.?
     Second, I would like to hear some discussion on the kinds of flux
people use for forge welding.  I have heard of borax and borax + sand, also
borax + sand and iron filings.  I have been forging for about two years and
getting consistantly good forge welds seems to be a problem.  I know alot of
it probably has to do with experience and practice but I wanted to hear some
comments on the process particularly the use of flux.  Chris Hubbard,
Dekalb, IL 60115

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From: "Dr. Mark E. Williams" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 7 Jun 1996 07:12:17 -0400

I've had good fortune welding using borax as flux. Because it's cheap, I tend
to use more of it. I have used some of the flux produced by Superior Flux, but
it doesn't stick to the metal as well as borax.

As for getting good welds, experience and a light hammer seem to be the keys to
success. If you ever have the chance to watch Bob Patrick do a welding demo,
take it. I watched him at the 1994 ABANA conference and learned a lot.

Keep hammerin'

Mark

-- 
Dr. Mark E. Williams
Bldg N-159, Rm E-215
NASA/GSFC/WFF/EG&G
Wallops Island, VA 23337
804-824-1744
[email-masked]

I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.
Grouch Marx

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From: Jim McCarty <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 07 Jun 1996 09:55:28 -0500

> comments on the process particularly the use of flux.  Chris Hubbard,

If I really want it to weld I use EZ Weld. The new stuff available 
from Centaur Forge works. I have less success with 20 Mule team Borax 
but I still use it especially with round stock as I have much success 
welding round. To test your skill try welding with no flux. I took a 
Bob Patrick welding class once and that was the first thing we did. 
Don't think anyone missed this weld, think Bob carries some magic with 
him as he forge welds anything, even after he has dropped it twice!

Also just for fun try Kenny Valdejo's "Nature's own" flux, ground up 
mud dauber nests. Just make sure the residents are done with it first.
-- 
Jim McCarty
Father Helias Forge
Taos, MO
Newsletter editor, Blacksmiths Association of Missouri
Foolish consistencies are the hobgoblins of little minds