Hi Guys,

Well, here's my dilemma. I'm about to embark on my first resin kit, and I have heard how dangerous the dust can be. Only trouble is I only have the kitchen to work in, so what with food lying about and children running around, am I forced to take it outside when weather permits (or maybe into the bathroom)!?

I guess what I'm asking is: what sort of precautions do other people take?

Thanks for the advice!

Darren

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Find all my latest models here:

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The danger is in breathing in the dust. I use a razor saw to trim away the resin plugs and when cutting I dip the saw into some water. This makes the dust cing to the blade- next dip and the dust falls away in the water.
When sanding I dip the piece in water and then rub it on the sand paper, again -the dust clumps together and doesn't float up your nostrils
Best advice is to put the food away and wait until the children are sleeping.


Pat McGrath
Work to become not to acquire

I've done nearly all of my work outside with the water as others have said. On the one occasion i did it inside I treated the dust etc as if they were a poisonous chemical - which i guess they are sort of.

Richard

In most cases, the resin pour stubs are small, especially on newer kits that are better engineered and cast. You can cut many of them with a sprue cutter, and trim back any excess resin with a knife. That part is really no more messy or hazzardous than trimming down plastic. I try to work over a kit box lid to collect the trimmings.

Drilling isnt a big deal eihter. You get a little strand of resin, about like drilling plastic. Unless you have to drill a very large hole with a power drill, you won't get a lot of dust.

If you have to sand down big parts from their casting blocks, then wet sand them (which you should do anyway so its a moot question). Wet sanding allows for a smoother, more even finish in all cases anyway. The water will keep the dust from becoming a dust, just a paste on the table top or sandpaper that you can wipe up or rinse off later.

If you have a big part that requires grinding with a Dremel, I'd do that outside just because its going to be messy... and I would do the same with a wood, plastic or metal model that needed such work.

The resin dust is more of an irritant than a toxin. I do wash my hands a lot when working with it (or at least some reasin kits) as sometimes the resin, its mold release agents, oils, etc. seem to cause skin irritations from contact. If your kit has a strong odor, take the parts outside to breathe a while.

Thanks guys!

Water! Why didn't I think of that?!

I appreciate all of your comments.

Darren

I have a small closed in room that I work in. I use my shop vac and use duct tape to hold the hose beside the part in question. When I am using the dremel or dry sanding it goes into it and not all in the air. Still wear a mask and possibly rubber gloves for protection.