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[Asianfire]

I would like to ask you for your kind help in this matter, so I can link him here.

I was asked a question to which I do not have any answers, as I do not use anything like it.
I thought we had some discussion here on that, but cant find anything under given key-words.

His message to me was as follows:

"I'm planning to get more involved with stone carving and looking for ideas for a carving shield to reduce water spray. What do you use or have a respect for that you have seen? I have no problem building whatever it is that is needed. Thanks!"

Thank you in advance for any advice, or links that you could provide. Kurt

[Debbie K]

Kurt:

I use something like this http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/274457/Office-Depot-Brand-Slanted-Sign-Holder/. They're cheap and effective and keep the mud and water out of your face. I put up a clear shower curtain cut off for length on the back part of the desk where I carve to keep the mud off my bookshelf which is at the back of my desk. The mud wipes off with a damp sponge, and since my desk has a formica top, it too, is easy to clean. The extra shower curtain has come in handy for making covers for other pieces of equipment.

When I'm really going to make a mess, I use larger sheets of plexiglass and clamp them to what ever's handy; desk, table, etc.

Some guy was teaching stone carving at my local club a number of years ago and constructed plexiglass cubes with holes on the sides for you hands and flexshaft, and a tube going in the top for a water drip. I think he spent more time teaching how to make the cube than how to carve, a ridiculous waste of time and money. It looked like it would have been horribly uncomfortable to try to work in, and difficult to clean and be able to see what you are doing. Needless to say, he had very few students. Who would want to spend all that time making that box when they're not even sure that they like carving?

Ordinarily, I don't have that much water splashing around that it's an issue. I usually just dip my stone in a bowl of water and when it starts looking dry, dip again. When I do the rough shaping it does get a bit messy, but after that, not so much.

A friend of mine had a "real" point carver from Idar-Oberstein, and I seem to remember that it was open with no water shield. The point carver that Foredom makes doesn't have on either.

Just my opinion. I'm like you, Kurt; entirely self-taught. But you and I have been doing this for years and years and have learned a lot along the way.

Debbie K

[Asianfire]

Even when carving/cutting relatively dry, the coral-snakes as example, I gotta clean my glasses quite often, as that kind of sludge/dust clings to everything. And makes one realize just how much material is coming ones way; usually unrecognized.

Thanks for the elaborate answer.
I really thought we had a tutorial/discussion on this subject somewhere. 

[wampidy]

I am thinking that phish made some out of medicine bottles or something similar.
Jim

[Asianfire]

I am thinking that phish made some out of medicine bottles or something similar.
Jim

Exactly, and quite a few people at the time where adding words and pictures. To create a wonderful tread. But can't find it.

[olgguy]

Just posted in :"Rhodonite Ribbon" By John P. A Utility box by Hi- tech Diamond Products, 750 East Easy St. Simi Valley, Ca.93065. Phone 805-522-6211. This info is old as is the old price of $25.00

[Asianfire]

Thats a neat little contraption. Thanks.

[olgguy]

They also sold this unit as a Gold Recovery System for Jewelers, without the drip tank. I added the tubing around the hand openings because the edges were rough.

[Pebblehopper]

Thank you all for the responses and to Kurt for passing on my original question. From the experience of my first carving in a class setting I was slinging water and mud all over and want to avoid that when I'm setting up at home. This is going to be interesting!


Sent from my mobile device using Tapatalk since I finished all that I wanted to do in the shop today so I'm just being electronically sociable.

[Asianfire]

Ohhh, you are already here.... Good. Happy trails for your undertakings.

[Debbie K]

Sounds like you were using too much water; you shouldn't be slinging it around like that unless you are using really large bits on big pieces of stone. The mud is another story.

The problem, for me, with the boxes is that they're not that handy to clean. I can wash the brochure holder off in the sink really easily without disassembling anything. If you work on a hard surface like formica or put down a vinyl tablecloth, they're easy to clean, too.

I use an excess of water when I carve malachite out an abundance of caution, and just this week learned that gem silica is hazardous, too. I also wear a particle mask while carving and cleaning and wipe every down with a sponge twice when dealing with malachite mud. Some folks wear gloves, too, but I don't like to wear them when carving, afraid they'll get pulled in by the rotary tool.

Debbie K

[Pebblehopper]

Thanks Debbie, being able to wash off after a carving session seems to be important for both the carving bench and the carver. Like you I'm becoming much more cautious about wearing safety gear even down to the gloves. From what I remember of the class you are probably correct in that I was using too much water(!)


Sent from my mobile device using Tapatalk since I finished all that I wanted to do in the shop today so I'm just being electronically sociable.

[Pebblehopper]

Ohhh, you are already here.... Good. Happy trails for your undertakings.

Just barely here, trying to figure this Tapatalk out!


Sent from my mobile device using Tapatalk since I finished all that I wanted to do in the shop today so I'm just being electronically sociable.