Do I need a respirator when filing?

oic0

oic0

Joined
Jun 16, 2012
Messages
368
I've made one small blade sofar, a practice run made of a 10" circular saw blade. It wen't well and was a lot of fun. I was also happy the steel turned out to be hardenable even though the blade had carbide tips and was only a few years old. Anyhow, it required about 6 hours with a file. I'm very patient and work on such things while sitting around the BBQ and drinkin beer with friends etc.. Sometimes indoors while watching TV. Should I be wearing a respirator or dust mask while woring? Some 1084fg stock I ordered just came in and I imagine its going to take a lot more stock removal since its 1/4" thick. I wanted to find out before I set to work on it. I don't use powertools since I don't have any that would be useful for this other than little sander I slapped some 2000 grit and a few drops of water on for final finish (little vibrating thing, not a belt sander)
 
I'm going to say no, I have never seen anyone fast enough with a file that could kick up dust while doing it ... LOL of course I have never seen you file ;0)
 
What I've found is this. I carry a really bright Jetbeam PA10 flashlight. Anytime I want to know what I'm breathing or if I should be protected I just shine that light across where I'm working. Believe me, the stream of particles coming up and about, even from filing can be significant and you'll answer your own question and even scare yourself into using the mask once you can see what you are adding to what is already floating around the work area. Get the best and most comfortable mask you can find and I prefer a nice full face type that goes on easy and pops off easy. I probably went above what is really needed but its worked, its grown comfortable for me even though at first the weight was a bit much but in time I've liked it. I'd suggest something you don't mind using and spending the money for it as opposed to a save money alternative and get one I'm likely not going to bother with.

Here is the scenario many encounter. You wear the mask, the safety goggles don't fit right. You adjust and they fog up. So what happens is one gets sacrificed for the other and you see it all the time in youtube videos. I prefer hands on. Has to be a place local that sells some respirators in most places or nearby so find what you like, make note of the numbers to order and check the net for the best deal on it and filters, replacement shields and so on.
 
I'd second a NO, unless your REAL sensitive to dust, I don't think it would be a problem as long as you don't gather up the fillings and do a rail. If you start getting into mechanical grinders, you may reconsider. Pics please and welcOme aboard.
 
I also would say no. The particles that your removing are big, and they will sink to the floor really fast. Also the are steel not a mix of iron oxides that come off the grinder. Now for hand sanding wood or synthetics depending on the ventilation, amount of material I'm removing, and what the material is I probably would
 
Myker said:
Pics please and welcOme aboard.
Click to expand...

This one isn't much to be proud of. looks more like a mirror finish with ridges from its life as a saw that I didn't sand down past. Has a very simple convex edge. I left a saw tooth on the end of the handle hoping it will be able to open a beer bottle ;) I just cord wrapped the handle to see what it would look like before heat treating. I botched the first heat treatment as I could only get the tip hot enough with the burner on my fish cooker. Going to use a torch on both this one and the one I'm about to start, do them at the same time.

28by82o.jpg
 
Myker said:
I'd second a NO, unless your REAL sensitive to dust, I don't think it would be a problem as long as you don't gather up the fillings and do a rail. If you start getting into mechanical grinders, you may reconsider. Pics please and welcOme aboard.
Click to expand...

I choked on my soda, thanks.
 
Filing something like beryllium copper, absolutely.

Fileing steel, no

Filing something like wood or synthetic, if I'm doing very much of it.

Somthing to keep in mind is that many of us do this all day everyday and a lot of us would eventually die from it if we didn't take precautions. An occasional hobbyist needs to take precautions when doing a lot of it or working with hazardous material (abalone for example) but I think you'll be okay filing on the occasional piece of steel without a mask.
 
Alright since yall gave me the go ahead, I got to work on a new pet project ;) this took forever to cut out with an angle grinder. First knife I just freehanded with a sharpie. This one I made a template in GIMP to use every bit available of the bar I bought. Started with a picture of a falcata I found on google and modified it down to get the proportions right for a knife and the 12 x 1.5 x 0.25 bar stock.


2mca7p1.jpg
 
So... How's it turning out?


(yes it's been a while, hence the question) :)
 
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