My advice is don't do it. I tried trueing up an MDF disc I was making into a sanding disc once. It was a very messy process in terms of the amount of dust. the stuff doesn't seem to cut cleanly anyway, no matter how sharp the tools are. Theres also the fact the dust is pretty toxic - the end product wouldn't be worth the risk of breathing in the dust particles.
but with that said, this guy seemed not to have many problems
http://vincent.brient.free.fr/round_horns.htm
but with that said, this guy seemed not to have many problems
http://vincent.brient.free.fr/round_horns.htm
you have never turned such a beautiful substance until y have turned MDF.
it turns up very nicely, the tools cut through like butter, there are no problems turning it.
it turns up very nicely, the tools cut through like butter, there are no problems turning it.
reply
To toxic problems with MDF is easily overcome by doing the work outside and wearing a dust mask or inside and wear a gas mask.
To toxic problems with MDF is easily overcome by doing the work outside and wearing a dust mask or inside and wear a gas mask.
Use a respirator rated at P100 not P95. Watch out when you run your tool from mdf to the glue joint. Other than quickly dulling your tool edge it's nice to work on the lathe. P100 half mask by 3M could save you a $100K lung operation 30 years from now. Nobody really know long term about MDF.
best thng to do is wear a 10cent dust mask and some safety glasses, then have a friend holding a vacuum cleaner where the dust is being shot out. this is if you dont have dust extraction.
I have dust extraction, with 5 micron bags. Is that enough?
And a cheap dust mask has no seal, but I have a powervisor, just don't know if there is a suitable filter for it to work effectively against MDF dust.
And a cheap dust mask has no seal, but I have a powervisor, just don't know if there is a suitable filter for it to work effectively against MDF dust.
MDF dust is thin but no thinner than sand or maybe dust which just a hankercheif over your mouth will stop.
I completely disagree with...
"MDF dust is thin but no thinner than sand or maybe dust which just a hankercheif over your mouth will stop"
One could say the same of asbestos, in fact they did, manufacturers said it's long strands and can be filtered very easy. Tell that to all the people who have 10% lung capacity now from breathing it through hankercheifs.
Probably it is true that minimal exposure will not be problematic...they are your lungs, I'll leave it to you.
c.
"MDF dust is thin but no thinner than sand or maybe dust which just a hankercheif over your mouth will stop"
One could say the same of asbestos, in fact they did, manufacturers said it's long strands and can be filtered very easy. Tell that to all the people who have 10% lung capacity now from breathing it through hankercheifs.
Probably it is true that minimal exposure will not be problematic...they are your lungs, I'll leave it to you.
c.
Appreciate your opinion, though you don't have any opinion on what the size is exactly. That is what you need to know to size filtration properly. Do have any information that is numerical?
This could be helpful. I don't want to come off as an OSHA safety nut but it's not really appropriate to say mdf dust is like sand.
http://www.plumcreek.com/pub/products/MSDS_MDF.pdf
Chris
http://www.plumcreek.com/pub/products/MSDS_MDF.pdf
Chris
Nope, you are right, it's dangerous. The article suggests use of an "approved" dust respirator. That doesn't tell much. My guess is as good as yours.
MDF dust..
This website indicates that a dust filter capable of removing particles down to 0.5 microns would suffice and that any particles smaller than that are basically harmless.
http://www.canadianhomeworkshop.com/toolbox_mdf.html
This website indicates that a dust filter capable of removing particles down to 0.5 microns would suffice and that any particles smaller than that are basically harmless.
http://www.canadianhomeworkshop.com/toolbox_mdf.html
Most of the MDF has Formaldehyde in it. However, you can by MDF Formaldehyde free. In any case you should wear a good dust mask.
Question: why do you want to turn it?
Question: why do you want to turn it?
Since there are no .5 micron dust bags, then a respirator is the only alternative. I have a power visor with a "fram" like filter, but I don't think it could pass .5 micron air. Other ideas?
The cheapo N-95 disposables would do the task if made sure to fit them properly. Good to .3 uM, according t0 3M literature
Caution
MDF should be very easy to carve on a lathe, but it's literally made of dust, so wear a good dust mask and goggles. It has been known to cause respiratory problems for woodworkers in the long term. At any rate, equip your shop with a POWERFUL dust collection system.
I wonder if there's a lathe with a built-in dust collector...😀
MDF should be very easy to carve on a lathe, but it's literally made of dust, so wear a good dust mask and goggles. It has been known to cause respiratory problems for woodworkers in the long term. At any rate, equip your shop with a POWERFUL dust collection system.
I wonder if there's a lathe with a built-in dust collector...😀
okay sorry for possibly misleading the idea of the dus being harmless, i know that it is not, but people tend to fuss over things too much, those people with lung problems from asbestos use were using the product dangerously for 6 hours a day for amny years, With no protection.
My sugestion, wear a cheap dust mask as the dust falls and tends not to spread around alot like gas and fumes. Also have some form of dust extraction, easiest is have someone else with a mask to manually hold a vacuum or dust sucker and collect the dust as it is sprayed out, this will mean that very little dust reaches the users.
Remember that this is most likely a one off job and wil pertain minimal dust breathin.
Personally i wouldsay the more important thing is safety glasses to protect your delicate eyes, it only take one small fast splinter to ensure that you will have permanent loss of sight.
My sugestion, wear a cheap dust mask as the dust falls and tends not to spread around alot like gas and fumes. Also have some form of dust extraction, easiest is have someone else with a mask to manually hold a vacuum or dust sucker and collect the dust as it is sprayed out, this will mean that very little dust reaches the users.
Remember that this is most likely a one off job and wil pertain minimal dust breathin.
Personally i wouldsay the more important thing is safety glasses to protect your delicate eyes, it only take one small fast splinter to ensure that you will have permanent loss of sight.
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