Post by AgMD on Apr 27, 2005 20:10:54 GMT -5
I am shure all of us are using all reasonable care when using all the different solvents thinners and stuff that is common in the rod shop. I would like to add a heads up regarding oil finishes , such as tung, linseed, walnut, and spar varnish. These finishes work by oxidiation, a process which chemicaly changes the surface of the finish and incidentally creates heat. The heat is minimal when the finish is just a thin coat on a large dense item such as a rod or gunstock. Rags and/or paper towels used to apply or clean up will hold a disproportionatly large ammount of finish and will also provide a large surface area ( each fiber) for the oil to come into contact w/ oxygen. Cloth and paper towels are better insulators than conductors of heat, so the heat tends to build up, particularly if insulated by other items in a typical trash can. The result is spontanious combustion and all too often loss of life and property.
Fortunatly, rod building usually involves rather small bits of rag which are easily disposed of . I throw mine in the wood stove. Even in summer when the woodstove is cold, I figure if they do catch fire -- so what? That is what the stove is for.
AgMD
Fortunatly, rod building usually involves rather small bits of rag which are easily disposed of . I throw mine in the wood stove. Even in summer when the woodstove is cold, I figure if they do catch fire -- so what? That is what the stove is for.
AgMD