Health question.

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survivalnoob

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Jul 14, 2010
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Hi all,

I just purchased a (WSKTS)Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener, for my 14 year old nephew. My sister is wondering if my nephew should wear any type of respirator when using this product. I'm thinking a respirator is not needed since it's so small and used just for sharpening a knives not making them, but my sister wanted me to make sure before she will let her son use it.

Here is a link to this product. http://www.worksharptools.com/index.php/sportsmans-knife-sharpeners.html

All post are greatly appreciate.

Thank you.
 
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Unless this machine spits out a lot of particulate that gets suspended in the air then a respirator isn't needed.

I couldn't imagine that those little belts would produce much particulate at all. I would just tell him not to huff air near the belts when sharpening. ;)
 
I would buy him a couple of paper masks. I don't know if they make real respirators in child's sizes. If a kid needs one to do something they probably shouldn't be doing it.
 
I'll throw my 2 cents' worth in.

I've sometimes noticed, even after doing something as relatively 'benign' as stropping with compound on leather, that my sinuses sometimes get a bit irritated. Sometimes I can even smell the steel as it's being stropped. I figure if I can smell it, the particles are getting into my nose. And doing other things, like convexing on sandpaper, can generate quite a lot of metal dust (some steels much more than others).

I'd suggest two things. First, watch closely while the tool is being used. Look for the dust in the air. Use a flashlight or other light source to illuminate the area around the tool. Suspended particles in the air will be obvious in the 'beam' of light (just like the 'lint' of a tissue being seen floating in the air near a lamp).

Second, keep an eye on your nephew. If you notice he's sniffling, coughing, frequently blowing his nose after using the tool, that might be a sign of more than just a little dust getting into his nose. Since we're talking about a child here, I think it'd be best to be very careful. All the more so, if this develops into a real hobby/OBSESSION (:p) for him. He's very young now, so it could mean many, many years of exposure ahead of him.

As suggested earlier, I think the paper mask idea is pretty good. Probably don't need a 'respirator', unless he starts working with more hazardous materials, like fiberglass, G10, micarta, stag, bone, etc. Those can be quite nasty once the particles get into the lungs (they don't go away).

Edit:
Another suggestion. Get him a small electric fan, or find some other means to gently keep the air/dust around the tool flowing AWAY from his face while he works. Put it somewhere behind him, to keep air moving over his shoulder as he works. I usually get rather warm when sharpening/stropping, so this could be quite comfortable for him, too.
 
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So, this is anecdotal and somewhat irrelevant...

I remember learning how to grind tool bits on an alluminum oxide grinding wheel. I could never really smell anything, but at the end of the day I had to blow my nose, and what came out was pure black.

I wore a face mask after that. I don't know how much it will relate to what you're doing... Different abrasives, different speeds, and probably different steel... I just know that I always went with the idea of being safe instead of sorry.
 
Just a tidbit of science. If you smell something it means that small particles of that something are entering your nasal passages. So, next time you smell a fart it means that small particles of @#$% are going up your nose.:eek:
 
survivalnoob said:
Now what type of filter will he need to use with his dad's 3m 7500 respirator?
Thank you.
Click to expand...

Any filter that fits it will work. Those masks are primarily made for fumes and mists. It is a little overkill for particulates but will definitely work. If he finds the mask too cumbersome a good grade dust mask will work just as well.
http://www.airfilterusa.com/safety-...ep549-ci2te2&gclid=CNmGgO7In6YCFRJY2godLwrNpA
I have not used this site, it is just for mask examples.
Edit: Scroll down on your Amazon link page. There are numerous filters listed there for use with it.
 
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I'd think he would really need to be sharpening a lot of knifes for it to be an issue. A lot being over 20 a day for a few years...

Honestly I'd be more worried about him cutting himself with one of those sharpened knifes or him taking off the guards and getting a peice of his body/clothing stuck in the machine.

if your really worried, get a hepa air filter for him but if your going that route, you might also wanna get a triple pass reverse osmosis waterfilter for the chromium6 in the water as well as a helmet for when he goes outside because there is a chance (albeit small) that he could fall and hit his head. Don't forget to cage your car and install a 6pt safty harness as well as a halon system in the car just incase it catchs fire. :)
 
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While minimizing exposure I'm sure is best, but come on, I'm sure he's breathing much worse than that small amount of particles. Just brush your shirt lightly in the sunrays and you'll see particles all over the place.
Its a wonder she even allows him to use a knife.
 
Really, no one know the proper protective gear when using power equipment?

Its basic and for this tool a little extreme but this is what should be worn or not worn.

Safety glasses, a mask (simple paper dust mask is fine), and NO loose clothing. Simple and basic but goes a long way to preventing injury.

Of the precautions you/he could take I think the only one of value would be the safety glasses, you would need to do A LOT of knives to consider a respirator. A little dust up the nose never hurt anyways.
Almost forgot, hearing protection but again don't think its needed, most vacuums are louder.
 
knifenut1013 said:
Really, no one know the proper protective gear when using power equipment?

Its basic and for this tool a little extreme but this is what should be worn or not worn.

Safety glasses, a mask (simple paper dust mask is fine), and NO loose clothing. Simple and basic but goes a long way to preventing injury.

Of the precautions you/he could take I think the only one of value would be the safety glasses, you would need to do A LOT of knives to consider a respirator. A little dust up the nose never hurt anyways.
Almost forgot, hearing protection but again don't think its needed, most vacuums are louder.
Click to expand...

Doh, I totally forgot about safty glasses but I assume everyone uses them when using any type of power tools. This one is a must I think for anyone/everyone! good call!
 
survivalnoob said:
Thank you everyone for the info and advice.

I found out that my nephews dad has this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XBFJP2/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER.

My nephew is a big kid so it fits him fine.

Now what type of filter will he need to use with his dad's 3m 7500 respirator?

Thank you.
Click to expand...

We use 3m P100's at work. They are good for the type of particulate you are looking to protect him from. OSHA tells us that the filters last for 8 Hours.
 
knifenut1013 said:
A little dust up the nose never hurt anyways
Click to expand...

Tell that to the folks suffering from Mesothelioma from asbestos dust... On a more appropriate scale for the discussion, does this also go for working with G-10 or Micarta scales too?? ;) I've heard breathing that dust isn't real good for ya.
 
Medic1210 said:
Tell that to the folks suffering from Mesothelioma from asbestos dust... On a more appropriate scale for the discussion, does this also go for working with G-10 or Micarta scales too?? ;) I've heard breathing that dust isn't real good for ya.
Click to expand...


Grinding on a small tool like the worksharp sharpening knives and asbestos removal are hardly in the same class of safety precautions. I believe I stated some items that should be worn and is a basic standard when doing such activities. But really, lets not get too extreme on the comparisons. Sharpening a knife and grinding G-10 or Micarta are again not in the same class.
 
knifenut1013 said:
Grinding on a small tool like the worksharp sharpening knives and asbestos removal are hardly in the same class of safety precautions. I believe I stated some items that should be worn and is a basic standard when doing such activities. But really, lets not get too extreme on the comparisons. Sharpening a knife and grinding G-10 or Micarta are again not in the same class.
Click to expand...

Agreed

Now, how does that Geiko commercial go? Something about Mansy Pansy...
 
The OP is doing the right thing. A respirator may or may not be more protection than is absolutely necessary, but we're talking about a 14 year old here. It's a good thing to make him aware of the potential hazards, and how they can be dealt with. Kids are often a lot more sensitive to irritants in the air, and a little irritation to the sinuses or lungs now can lead to more chronic issues for them later. Might find the following thread interesting:

steel dust unhealthy?

What an adult chooses to do for him/herself is one thing. But when an adult is trying to decide how to protect a child, caution is in order. This notion of 'mansy pansy', when talking about protecting a child, borders on the idiotic.
 
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I want to thank everyone for participating in my post. I just want to let everyone know that I myself have a WSKTS, and that is why my nephew wanted one. The one I bought my nephew arrived at his house along with some 3M P100 filters. He's used it already and is wearing eye protection and his Dad's respirator. Which makes his mother very happy.

Again thank you all very much for all the great help and information.
 
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