Aaron’s New Akua (Done!) - Tiki Carving

AA Aaron's Akua Member Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Joined: Jul 09, 2004 Posts: 1596	AA Aaron's Akua Posted posted on Tue, Sep 7, 2004 11:51 PM ABALONE DUST IS VERY, VERY, BAD! +++++++++++++++++++++++ I did a little checking on the web for info on this. I put together a few quotes on abalone dust fom various sources on-line, just in case anyone "scanned over" the info from Octane on this. I don't want any TC members to develop impaired breathing because of something I suggested. "at least one pearl supplier that I know of has been so overexposed to the fine dust that results from grinding the shell that he has been seriously ill with silicosis, a potentially fatal lung disease--if you grind shell or cut lots of inlay, wear an OSHA-approved respirator. Even if you cut only a little inlay, wear at least a dust mask such as the fiber units sold in hardware stores, and it's a good idea to wear goggles too" "I used to market abalone mabe pearls and would sometimes trim them to size. I was cautioned by my pearl grower/cutter to not only work them wet, but wear a respirator and not have my skin exposed to the dust during this process. He had developed an irregular heart beat from exposure to the dust and was educated by an expert on how to protect himself. The noxious substance can apparently be inhaled as well as absorbed through the skin. The dust contains a glucamite, a chemical which the body mistakes for sugar and thus transports readily within ones tissues" "The shell is really easy to work with as long as you remember these simple rules; (1) Don't breathe in the dust, In Simple Terms -The dust has barbs like a fishhook and will cause serious damage to your lungs. Always wear a mask! and have suction. The same applies to Abalone Shells also. (2) Do not work the shell wet to avoid Chlorine Poisoning through the Skin and Lungs and think about others if they are in a room with you- It is possible to poison them and not you.The same applies to Abalone Shells also." "What's so about abalone shell and being worked is this: If it is worked dry, it makes a nauseating smell which is bad enough by itself, but the real danger comes from the dust which is not poisonous per se, but it is like inhaling window pane shards and it lacerates the lungs. The answer to both problems is to make sure that you work it wet, either by a drip system, common in all lapidary setups, or by constant dunking if using regular power tools such as a Dremel or a belt sander. KEEP IT WET!" "Having worked with abalone before, first I will warn of the dangers! The dust from the shell is toxic and will make you ill, It also causes a lung disease. Anyway cut under water, use a strong suction device, ar wear an Osha approved mask. I cannot say enough about the saftey factor!" Now, these are a little contradictory, because several of them say to work the shell wet, while another says specifically not to use water because of possible "chorine poisoning". Bottom line is - research this subject well before working with abalone inlay! +++++++++++++++++++++++ Rodeotiki, I'm glad you are enjoying this. For myself, I'm just having fun with it. And I'm not really sure at this point how it will wind up. I really enjoyed your progress post, so I thought I'd start my own. The suspense is great! ++++++++++++++++++++++ Freddie, Thanks for the research. I checked both links out, & I'm still looking around. The trouble with most of these guitar builder type sources is the odd and/or small sizes of the abalone. And it may be a bit pricey. There's a place in Seal Beach called the California Seashell Co. I'm gonna go down there & take a look. As with any natural irregular material, It's kind of hard to buy on-line. You're never quite sure what you're gonna get. Thanks for the good info, Freddie!

ABALONE DUST IS VERY, VERY, BAD!
+++++++++++++++++++++++
I did a little checking on the web for info on this. I put together a few quotes on abalone dust fom various sources on-line, just in case anyone "scanned over" the info from Octane on this. I don't want any TC members to develop impaired breathing because of something I suggested.

"at least one pearl supplier that I know of has been so overexposed to the fine dust that results from grinding the shell that he has been seriously ill with silicosis, a potentially fatal lung disease--if you grind shell or cut lots of inlay, wear an OSHA-approved respirator. Even if you cut only a little inlay, wear at least a dust mask such as the fiber units sold in hardware stores, and it's a good idea to wear goggles too"

"I used to market abalone mabe pearls and would sometimes trim them to size. I was cautioned by my pearl grower/cutter to not only work them wet, but wear a respirator and not have my skin exposed to the dust during this process. He had developed an irregular heart beat from exposure to the dust and was educated by an expert on how to protect himself. The noxious substance can apparently be inhaled as well as absorbed through the skin. The dust contains a glucamite, a chemical which the body mistakes for sugar and thus transports readily within ones tissues"

"The shell is really easy to work with as long as you remember these simple rules;
(1) Don't breathe in the dust, In Simple Terms -The dust has barbs like a fishhook and will cause serious damage to your lungs. Always wear a mask! and have suction. The same applies to Abalone Shells also.
(2) Do not work the shell wet to avoid Chlorine Poisoning through the Skin and Lungs and think about others if they are in a room with you- It is possible to poison them and not you.The same applies to Abalone Shells also."

"What's so about abalone shell and being worked is this: If it is worked dry, it makes a nauseating smell which is bad enough by itself, but the real danger comes from the dust which is not poisonous per se, but it is like inhaling window pane shards and it lacerates the lungs. The answer to both problems is to make sure that you work it wet, either by a drip system, common in all lapidary setups, or by constant dunking if using regular power tools such as a Dremel or a belt sander. KEEP IT WET!"

"Having worked with abalone before, first I will warn of the dangers! The dust from the shell is toxic and will make you ill, It also causes a lung disease. Anyway cut under water, use a strong suction device, ar wear an Osha approved mask. I cannot say enough about the saftey factor!"

Now, these are a little contradictory, because several of them say to work the shell wet, while another says specifically not to use water because of possible "chorine poisoning". Bottom line is - research this subject well before working with abalone inlay!
+++++++++++++++++++++++

Rodeotiki,
I'm glad you are enjoying this. For myself, I'm just having fun with it. And I'm not really sure at this point how it will wind up. I really enjoyed your progress post, so I thought I'd start my own. The suspense is great!
++++++++++++++++++++++

Freddie,
Thanks for the research. I checked both links out, & I'm still looking around. The trouble with most of these guitar builder type sources is the odd and/or small sizes of the abalone. And it may be a bit pricey. There's a place in Seal Beach called the California Seashell Co. I'm gonna go down there & take a look. As with any natural irregular material, It's kind of hard to buy on-line. You're never quite sure what you're gonna get. Thanks for the good info, Freddie!

Post #112947 by Aaron's Akua on Tue, Sep 7, 2004 11:51 PM

"Having worked with abalone before, first I will warn of the dangers! The dust from the shell is toxic and will make you ill, It also causes a lung disease. Anyway cut under water, use a strong suction device, ar wear an Osha approved mask. I cannot say enough about the saftey factor!"