I was just wondering how i should go about sanding my resin kits. I was really feeling sick after sanding only acuple of peices, any suggestions would be nice.

When sanding resin I wear surgical gloves and a respirator or at least a NIOSH approved dust mask. To keep the dust contained from the sanding put a piece of wet/dry sandpaper on the bottom of cheap baking pan and fill the bottom of the pan with enough water to cover the sandpaper and keep from splashing water everywhere. The water will retain the resin dust and keep it from collecting in your work area.

STOP - get a resperator or at least a dust mask. Open all the window and get a fan going. You can also sand a bit at a time and do it over a wet paper towel. The towel will trap the falling dust and it won't kick up a second time.

Resin dust is nasty stuff - take it seriously.

Any serious sanding it's outside, respirator, safety glasses and surgical glove , if it's just a touch up, it's inside with wet sanding and a damp paper towel to wipe the dust down after I've finished and a dust mask.
As the others have said take it seriously .
HTH
Joker

I always sand resin outside or in the garage, while wearing a mask. Gloves aren't a bad idea either.

Dont you just love the smell of connecticut wnters in the mornin. Thanks for the advice guys this actually happened the day after i was sanding, when i got sick, i had the fans a goin all night long as well as the windows open. (it was really cold downstairs in the mornin BRRRRRRRR....) Thanks again, and in case your wondering i have stoped for now and am now working on the new dragon flak 37, the resin will have to wait to spring.

I had no idea resin could make you sick. Does anyone know what is in it that causes you to get sick? I have not worked with resin yet but do have some verlinden resin interiors that will be going into vehicles when I get around to them. Those pieces in the interior kits look awfully small should I be concerned handling them with bare hands? Should I wear a resperator when working with the kits? Man, my wife is gonna freak! I'll be reduced to building on the patio!

MSDS for smooth on 320 series only the Dust poses a hazard to anyone....... Wet sanding is the best option

Dear Matt
Mask and gloves are compulsory. You dont need to go outside if you can build a shield to cover your bench and work behind.
You can also use the followed item, very easy to use and very safe:

atmo bag

You can find face shield that will covr you nose, mouth and eyes from the dust.

The some particles can block your alveola in the langs.
I dont know the DL50 for the polyester resin.
i hope this can help you
cheers
seb

Here is an article that was posted in Missing-lynx that explains some safety concerns with materials we work with. http://www.missing-lynx.com/articles/other/health.htm

What causes you to get sick is resin's very fine particles that go inside your lung and stay forever! It is medically uncertain how that really affects your health but I would not take the risk to find out how. =)
Resin particles can have a similar affect as Asbestos (yes, infamous Asbestos where numerous lawsuits were based on!) does, except that Asbestos particles are known to have sharp edges and really scar your respiratory system. Or imagine inhaling particles of fiber glass by sanding. That will tear apart your lung like no other. Resin particles do not have sharp edges but they are very fine and inhaling too much of it can have severe long-term effects.

I've heard of modelers going to ERs after working with resin w/out any safety measure. Some have gotten strong allergic reactions to chemicals. Resin must be sanded in water or wet-sanded! No compromise!

Oh creepers here we go again. Death and distruction

Best way, wet sand and with small jobs use a mask

Really BASIC safety that you should know , this is common sence, do you not own a mask ?? and know that any dust is bad .


AJ

Wow here is an idea we should have a C.O.S.H.H. ( Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health ) page here on armorama for people to check on

redleg

It is amazing how many modelers are ignorant about health hazards involved in working with resin, styrene, etc. I did not know how dangerous resin dust was until I read some articles here. I personally think resin kit makers should put some warning on their product labels. Something in the nature of "sanding the material will produce harmful dusts and wet-sanding is highly recommended." It may have some affect in preventing a future lawsuit.
It is good that at least Armorama members are informed through this site.

Hi guys,, Sorry about this but really, is not ALL dust bad for you ?? I know there is no turning back now but this is real namby pamby stuff isn't it ?

To tell you how mad this world is getting,

I had a "no win no fee" scumbag get onto me as a customer had cut his thumb on a Hold & Fold blade.

Now his point was that, as the blade was supplied with the tool it was then "part" of the said tool andf thus should have a warning on it.

I had to come to a deal and pay up under threat of lots of fees to my money stealing scumbag , natrally I had to belive him, hell it was cheeper to belive him , one visit you see (sharp pain in the backside as I walked out, humm, funny that , Ouch)

Now I do not supply a 2p blade. BUT I can sell them to YOU as a item on their own or even with the tool.

The reason, this will kill ya,

IF you buy a blade then you are expected to know (given your age and that your not a looney) that a blade is sharpe. But when its supplied "as a componant of the tool" l you need a warning to tell you it is.

That little darling bit of life knowllage cost me £500 !!

So, what are we expected to know and what age are we expected to know it. ?? I wonder


AJ

Hi guys

I've been in this hobby off and on for years, but I've never gave any thought to a health hazard at my modelling desk. What kind of symptoms are we talking about here? It may not be such a bad idea to post some kind of warning page.

Harry

I have to reinforce Alisdair's (Slaphead) camp.Common sense must prevail when using even the most simple tools.Any dust can be harmful to your lungs and basic safety procedures should be observed.It doesn't matter if it is resin,wood,styrene,ceramics,plaster,glass,foam,or Orcs for that matter.Wear a mask if you are going to do more than a couple of swipes with a piece of sanding paper.I'm pushing 52 years of age(holy sheet!) and plastics has been my LIFE since I made my first surfboard at age 12 .Man-made or processed materials can be harmful if you let them.It depends on concentration,duration,and your own unique sensitivity to certain materials.Developing a reaction(sensitization) to plastics of any kind can happen on first contact or after 30 years of usage.Reactions can range from mild/slight dermatitus to anaphilactic shock(swollen airway;unable to breathe).No one knows if and when any of this can occur so,play it reasonably safe and take normal precautions.Be mindful of how your body reacts,but no need to indulge in paranoia.
These things we work with are not WMD .
OK,enough.Model on!

To all thanks for the advice, but what im saying is that even a day later (full 24 hours or more) the dust was still there!!! I was using the fans and everything as well as a mask. again thanks



Matt

Fans? You just blow it around -- it ain't going anywhere.. Why not vacuum it up?

Cripes, I'm so sick of all this whining about health risks. Just use a little common sense. If your want a hobby without health risks, take up scrap-booking. Oops, watch out for paper cuts ... they could get infected and then you'll be in trouble.

In all seriousness, it's not rocket science. Get some ventilation, sand resin wet, and get some more ventilation! I personally cut as much away (with saws and blades) as possible before I start sanding. Not as much dust that way. On many projects, I don't have to sand at all.