Need advice on working safely with G10. First time using it!

SkagSig40

SkagSig40

Joined
Feb 1, 2001
Messages
2,671
Hello Gentlemen,
I'm a brand new maker and I'd like to use G10 for my handles. The more I read about G10 the more it scares me LOL!
I'm trying to decide what respirator to use? Should I buy a 3M half face model with P100 filters or should I go full face? Also I have no dust collection system at all and I grind in my garage. How can I safely clean up the G10 dust so my young kids can still be in the garage to play when I'm not grinding? Also how do you deal with your clothes after grinding the G10? Can I simply put them in my washing machine and dryer?

Any help and advice is greatly appreciated!!!!
 
I use G-10 a good bit. A respirator is a must. A half mask is cheap. The danger is in inhaling the airborne dust is the issue. I clamp the rectangular attachment from my wet dry vac facing upwards towards my bottom platen wheel and run it while sanding. I also have a box fan with a furnace filter running behind my grinder. This setup captures most of the dust. When I'm done, I vacuum my bench and work area. That said, the dust is fine and gets everywhere. I don't believe it is especially dangerous once it's not in the air anymore, where it can be inhaled.
 
Kevin McGovern said:
I use G-10 a good bit. A respirator is a must. A half mask is cheap. The danger is in inhaling the airborne dust is the issue. I clamp the rectangular attachment from my wet dry vac facing upwards towards my bottom platen wheel and run it while sanding. I also have a box fan with a furnace filter running behind my grinder. This setup captures most of the dust. When I'm done, I vacuum my bench and work area. That said, the dust is fine and gets everywhere. I don't believe it is especially dangerous once it's not in the air anymore, where it can be inhaled.
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Thank you very much for the reply! What type of filter and mask do you use?
 
Kevin McGovern said:
Having worked in chemical weapons at one time, I have several full face masks. But this with safely glasses will work well. http://m.homedepot.com/p/3M-Medium-Mold-and-Lead-Paint-Removal-Respirator-6297PA1-A/202078789
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Thanks! So with this I won't get any toxic dust/fumes in my lungs? Also what to i wear while grinding and how do I clean my clothes when done working with the g10? Can I just sweep up the dust off my grinder and floor? What is the best way to do all this clean up? Many thanks!!!
 
It's the particles. Breathing small particles of anything is bad, be it talcum powder, smoke, etc. P-100 filters filter particulates. There are no fumes in the dust. Since G-10 uses fiberglass as the reinforcement, it can be especially irritating to both lungs, and skin. Wear long sleeves, goggles, and the mask. Vacuum yourself and your shop, and wash your clothes. Just as you would if you were working with fiberglass insulation. It's a physical irritant, not uranium.
 
All that said, I prefer to work with micarta if I'm using a laminate, G-10 is more readily available in a wider array of colors, so I use it if I need something I can't find d in micarta. I also use it for liners.
 
Kevin McGovern said:
All that said, I prefer to work with micarta if I'm using a laminate, G-10 is more readily available in a wider array of colors, so I use it if I need something I can't find d in micarta. I also use it for liners.
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How long do drill bits last making holes for pins and handle fasteners? I'm using 3/8" G 10 and I plan on drilling two holes through each side of the handle for acorn or Corby bolts.
 
Speaking of dust my local woodcraft was having a sale the other day and look what I picked up for $10. Just need to find a way to rig something up below my grinder now!
b6ed69aef6667db247e8cbdf36ea54c3.jpg


Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk
 
SkagSig40 said:
How long do drill bits last making holes for pins and handle fasteners? I'm using 3/8" G 10 and I plan on drilling two holes through each side of the handle for acorn or Corby bolts.
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Not an issue.

To add to this. drill bits I have not found to be an issue. I only use Cobalt drill bits though, so it may dull softer bits faster, but I doubt it will be an issue at all. I don't cut it on my wood band saw however. I noticed it does not cut really easy, and it actually sparks a little. I just cut it on my portaband mounted to my bench, just like i do my blanks.
 
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BartlettBlades said:
Speaking of dust my local woodcraft was having a sale the other day and look what I picked up for $10. Just need to find a way to rig something up below my grinder now!
b6ed69aef6667db247e8cbdf36ea54c3.jpg


Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk
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I've been wanting one of those. I have been using the bags in my vac, which has allowed me to not have to clean the filter as often.
 
Kevin McGovern said:
Not an issue.

To add to this. drill bits I have not found to be an issue. I only use Cobalt drill bits though, so it may dull softer bits faster, but I doubt it will be an issue at all. I don't cut it on my wood band saw however. I noticed it does not cut really easy, and it actually sparks a little. I just cut it on my portaband mounted to my bench, just like i do my blanks.
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OK great! I just bought a 1/4" to 1/8" stepped drill bit for the handle scales so I have a nice ledge inside the hole for the bolt to grab onto. It was $22 for the drill bit so I was hoping it would last a long time.

I figured since she 10 sounds so hard to cut and that it does the blade you're cutting was so quickly that it would also dull A drillbit quickly. Thanks again for all the help on G10! I may pick your brain a bit more as I go.
 
I'm not sure how quickly it would have dulled my bandsaw blade, but since it's a Delta benchtop model that is 8", I have to order blades. Therefore I didn't want to risk it.
 
Two things, one- it's really freeking heavy, so plan for that in your knife design. It's noticeably heavier than anything else I use for handles.
Thing two- it tends to grab drill bits, so be sure to have good hold-down tech working when you drill it, it'll run right up the drill bit, which is really exasperating if (not that I've ever done this ;) ) if you're using a drill bit to countersink a hole for a headed rivet or corby bolt.
 
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