Subject: Re: L.L. $ B. Co. Anvle and welding flux

From: [email-masked] (Bill Fiorini)
Date: Sat, 8 Jun 1996 06:46:54 -0500

>Boric acid is fairly toxic. Should one be concerned re: the fumes? Tom
>
>On Fri, 7 Jun 1996, Jim McCarty wrote:
>
>> Bill Fiorini wrote:
>> Chris,
>> > I have been using my own formula for the several years since Crescent Weld
>> > was screwed up by the new manufacturer.  I weld daily on Pattern-Welded
>> > Steel of a variety of alloys and carbon contents.  My formula is 4 parts
>> > borax / 1 part boric acid powder or crystal.  The boric acid can be
>> > purchased locally at any pharmacy or you can order in bulk from a chemical
>> > supply.
>> > Bill Fiorini
>>
>> I have heard that Roach Proof is boric acid -- wonder if this might
>> work for the second ingrediant.
>>
>> --
>> Jim McCarty
>> Father Helias Forge
>> Taos, MO
>> Newsletter editor, Blacksmiths Association of Missouri
>> Foolish consistencies are the hobgoblins of little minds
>>
>>
>>
I have been using it boric acid in my flux for many years.  No problem yet.
A good vent system is a item that you should not be without.  Do not sub.
the Roach Proof for good quality boric acid.
Bill

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From: "Steve Kayne" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 8 Jun 1996 11:41:47 -0400

In message <[email-masked]>  writes:
> A number of years ago the Anvils ring had an article which stated the formulas
for allthe Anti borax fluxes and the major component was borax    this info was 
taken from the old patent filing Icannot find the arfticle but someone else 
may.So its all borax !   Try welding without flux you will love it and  from 
then on think of flux as a nicety .  If you want a hazard consider the fumes 
from burnt oil finishes  steve kayne

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From: "Bruce M. Freeman" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 8 Jun 1996 22:17:38 -0400

>Boric acid is fairly toxic. Should one be concerned re: the fumes? Tom

I'm not going to attempt to answer that question, merely to point out one
source of further information.  If you can use gophers, here's an address
for you:

gopher://gopher.chem.utah.edu:70/11/MSDS

>From there you can easily find your way to boric acid.  Or go directly:

gopher://gopher.chem.utah.edu:70/00/MSDS/B/BORIC%20ACID

Below is one small piece of the MSDS (material safety data sheet).  This is
not the full information.

Hope this  helps,

Bruce Freeman

================================================================================

(BORIC ACID)

   5 - HEALTH HAZARD DATA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOXICITY:   LD50 (ORAL-RAT)(MG/KG)          -  2660
            LD50 (SCU-RAT)(MG/KG)           -  1400
            LD50 (IV-RAT) (MG/KG)           -  1330

CARCINOGENICITY:  NTP: NO     IARC: NO     Z LIST: NO     OSHA REG: NO

EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE
  INGESTION IS HARMFUL AND MAY BE FATAL.
  DUST INHALATION MAY CAUSE TIGHTNESS AND PAIN IN CHEST, COUGHING, AND
  DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING.
  CONTACT WITH SKIN OR EYES MAY CAUSE IRRITATION.
  PROLONGED EXPOSURE MAY CAUSE DERMATITIS.
  INGESTION MAY CAUSE NAUSEA, VOMITING, HEADACHES, DIZZINESS,
  GASTROINTESTINAL IRRITATION.
  CHRONIC EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE MAY INCLUDE KIDNEY AND/OR LIVER DAMAGE.

TARGET ORGANS
  NONE IDENTIFIED

MEDICAL CONDITIONS GENERALLY AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE
  DAMAGED SKIN

ROUTES OF ENTRY
  INGESTION, INHALATION, SKIN CONTACT, EYE CONTACT

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From: [email-masked] (John & Cynthia/ MidLife Crisis Ent.)
Date: Sun, 9 Jun 1996 09:14:34 +0200

>Tom Vincent wrote:
>Check your visine bottle, boric is an ingredient, you'll have to prove
>toxicity to me.

RoachPruf has boric acid in it but I think there is also some diatimatious
earth in it too.  Besides, RoachPruf is a very expensive boric acid source.
Just go to your local pharmacy and get boric acid powder.  Cheap!!!!

John Dach and Cynthia Thomas
Maiden Metals
a div. of
MidLife Crisis Enterprises
PO BX 44
Philo, CA  95466           If death is the schoolmaster,
707-895-2635(phone/fax)            then life is our homework.
800-749-1981

---

From: "Franklyn Garland" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 11 Jun 1996 21:12:03 +0000

> Check your visine bottle, boric is an ingredient, you'll have to prove 

Boric acid is a fungicide and preservative.  It is used as a 
preservative in eye drops, saline and as a drier for swimmers ear.  
Anything is toxic in large quantities, but on a small scale (as in 
flux) you would have to REALLY convince me of any serious hazards.  
About the only one that comes to my mind is if I inhaled a lot of the 
dust.

my $0.02 worth

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Franklyn D. Garland                         
The Celtic Knot Forge                       
[email-masked]                                 
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