[MR] Some precautions

[Davitt il Bigollo da Pisa]

Things are now in a rush, with preparations for 
Pennsic and other events of the season. But take 
time to take precautions. It doesn't take much time or money.

Wear a pair of splash-resistant goggles over your 
glasses when splashing chemicals, cutting wood or 
metal, breaking or cutting glass. I find they get 
so covered with dust that I have to put the first 
pair aside and wash and dry it before I can use it again.

And when cutting something that will send chips 
flying, such as grinding tile or metal, wear a 
full face mask over the goggles.

And don't forget the dust masks. Sawdust is an 
irritant at best and possibly a carcinogen or 
toxic (depends on species). Metal dust, paint 
spray, or just household dust may be worse.

Gloves are important. Even if you are just 
grinding stuff, and not working with anything 
"sharp", wear heavy work gloves. If you are 
working with something sharp, put a cut-resistant 
glove (metal-lined butchers glove or fillet 
glove, or kevlar) on your supporting hand. And 
use a vise to support the object. You can get a 
clamp-on vise (wood or metal working types), for under $20.

Check your car and trailer before leaving on the 
trip. Tell your mechanic you're leaving on a long 
trip, so he can look for things like worn belts, 
hoses, brakes or tires. (It's no guarantee of a 
smooth trip, but it helps--ask me off-list about 
my day and a half drive from Montreal to Boston 
when two mechanics couldn't diagnose the overheating.)

And check your trailer, too. A broken hitch or a 
flat tire can cause a very interesting accident. 
Interesting to other people. Terrifying to you.

And those who just sew, my grandmother was a 
professional shirtmaker (Amalgamated). Even so, 
she kept a bottle of rubbing alcohol on her work 
table or sewing machine, to dab on the inevitable punctures and pricks.

And when you're tired or hungry, take a break.

--

Davitt il Bigollo da Piƒa
Goldƒmith's Agent in Livorno
Fa¢or in the lands of the Mughuls
Coral and Emeralds from Inde and Serendip

Checky argent and azure, two cheƒs rooks or in 
chief, a cheƒs knight or, a three-turret tower or in baƒe