Working with G10?

S

stevekt

Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
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I just bought a DDR GX6 knife kit with G10 scales and I want to know what is the best way to shape the scales. I understand G10 can be extremely dangerous so I want to do this the safe way, producing nice looking scales is secondary. I really don't even know where to begin. Can I even do this at home? Should I exchange the G10 for wood scales?
 
You can shape G-10 just like wood...its just LONGER and HARDER to do. Use files and sandpaper backed with wood for support. TAke to 220 and then spray wd-40 and buff with 0000 steel whool. Works for me :)
 
you dont want to breath it. Use a respirator. At least a GOOD dusk mask but I dont think it would be enough... good question for other makers to chime in on :)
 
G10 is similar to micarta only instead of being laminated cloth or paper, it has woven glass fibers.
So you have the normal health risk of fumes if you get it too hot, and you also have glass particles in the dust. Very bad stuff to breathe in.
 
Wear a respirator,long sleves,and gloves.Vacuum yourself off ,and the work area ,when done.Best done outside.VERY bad stuff to breath! The dust makes some people itch.
 
Thanks for all the info. Will my clothes be fine after a wash cycle? Should I wet the G-10 to reduce dust?

Wow. This is pretty scary stuff. :eek:
 
Working with G-10 is the same as doing a fiberglass repair job on a boat.Yes washing your clothes will clean them fine.I change in the laundry room and wash them as soon as I come in from the shop.This is a good idea with all the things we grind in the shop.
 
How dangerous is Micarta?
I know that no dust is good for the old lungs but is there something particularly nasty about this stuff?
Thanks also for the warning regarding G10.

Mike
 
Micarta is an iritant due to the phenolic and the formaldahyde vapors given off.Wear a filter rated for formaldahyde and organic gasses.
 
bladsmth said:
Working with G-10 is the same as doing a fiberglass repair job on a boat.
Click to expand...

I bought a respirator/dustmask that specifically said for use with fiberglass work. I should be okay right?
 
It will be better than a dust filter,but it would be better if it was rated for formaldahyde,too.Fiberglass is epoxy and glass,so those filters are rated for particulate only.
 
bladsmth said:
Micarta is an iritant due to the phenolic and the formaldahyde vapors given off.Wear a filter rated for formaldahyde and organic gasses.
Click to expand...
I'm interested in hand-sanding an ugly bead-blasted micarta handle... If I'm not using a belt or wheel, would I still need to worry about it?
 
For hand sanding,a good dust filter will be fine.If the material is heated up in power sanding/grinding the fumes can make your eyes water,and probably will start embalming your lungs.For those situations a vapor rated filter is a good idea.All this is for safety purposes.Sometimes I laugh at the warnings on things ie.- "Caution ,contents under pressure,open while pointing away from self and others,severe injury or blindness may occur if not opened carefully."That is off of a plastic soda bottle.However,things you breath can do some nasty things to you.There are a lot of guys who said for years that they never wore a mask,and they never had a problem.Now COPD,emphysema,and lung cancer have come around to bite them in the ass.
A cut is and annoyance,losing a finger or two can be a big annoyance,but losing your ability to breath well - THAT'S A PROBLEM i DON'T WANT TO GAMBLE ON !!!
 
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