Safety Equipment
These are the safety equipment that I use when working:
I always use Safety Goggles when working with wires. In some cases I use it also when I am sanding in a position where my eyes will be exposed to falling dust.
A Pair Cotton Gloves I use when working with heavy gauge wire and also when working with light wires but for long periods. I use them also when sanding. |
Cotton Gloves and Safety Goggles
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SCULPTURE TRIVIA
The Renaissance Sculptor Michelangelo was said to have long boots that he wear when sculpting in marble. With his unwavering dedication to his work that he sculpts-off the marble for long hours and at the end of the day he will sleep without wearing the boots off. This will go on for many days and when he tried to take it off, his skin literally sticked on to the leather boots.
The Renaissance Sculptor Michelangelo was said to have long boots that he wear when sculpting in marble. With his unwavering dedication to his work that he sculpts-off the marble for long hours and at the end of the day he will sleep without wearing the boots off. This will go on for many days and when he tried to take it off, his skin literally sticked on to the leather boots.
Safety Procedures
When Working with Wires
1. I Make sure that the end of the wire pointing towards me is always curled-up as shown in the picture. This will prevent accidental wire cutting the skin while working. And also an excellent practice even if I am wearing Safety Goggles. 2. I always use a pair of cotton gloves when working with heavy gauge wires. it is not rare that my pliers will slide off and nick my finger. Also even if I am working with lighter wires I use them if there will be long periods of bending and squeezing. An exception would be if the work is constricted that only my bare fingers will allow access. 3. Be sure that the wire is not in tension before cutting, wire whiplash may occur that will cut or puncture skin. Usually this happens with heavy gauge wires or thick wires. 4. A prick is usually encountered with thin wires even if wearing cotton gloves. Be sure to use proper hand tools when wrapping it around a wire or to other objects in the sculpture. |
Bend the wire so that it curls-up preventing accidental skin pierce or puncture.
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My cotton gloves and goggles and my grand daughter, Cali. Make sure that there are no kids around while working.
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When Working with Chemicals
1. Use chemical rubber gloves when handling chemicals especially corrosive solvents.
2. Make a skin test first if the label of the chemicals says that its a skin irritant. This is made so that in cases of accidental skin contact the handler will now what the reactions will be. A highly allergic person to the chemical will treat this as an emergency. If it is unavoidable to work with certain chemicals that proves to be a health hazard appropriate protective equipment shall be worn. DO NOT DO SKIN TEST WITH TOXIC OR POISONOUS OR CORROSIVE MATERIALS! 3. Always wear appropriate masks when handling chemicals that are toxic or are lung irritants. Lacquer and its thinner are solvents that fumes-out harmful vapors. An appropriate gas mask for this contains a filter cartridge that filters out organic solvents ( this is printed on the cartridge). DO NOT INHALE ANY SOLVENTS UNLESS YOU ARE SURE THAT IT IS HARMLESS. Apply these chemicals in a WELL VENTILATED areas even if you are using a gas mask. READ THE LABEL ON THE MASK! 4. Flammable chemicals must also be used in a well ventilated area or else there is a risk of explosion. Any source of flame is NOT allowed when applying theses chemicals. Always have a fire protective clothing and fire extinguisher nearby. |
READ THE LABELS, PLEASE!!!
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When Handling Paper
1. Make sure that the paper to be used are clean and free from toxic substances. Discard immediately those boxes that was used to contain poisonous materials.
2. Do not leave the paper soaking for a long time. Anaerobic bacteria will grow especially if the water is not circulated enough. These bacteria may cause sickness. You will notice this once the water stinks. |
When Carving
I use a handheld slide cutter when carving. I am right handed. The right hand directs the cutter and the left hand supports it. I use the following cutter handling procedures when I am carving
1. Ensure that the left hand is NOT in the cutter's cutting direction. 2. Ensure that when supporting the cutter with the left hand, usually it is the forefinger or the thumb that supports it, the other fingers are NOT in the way of the cutter's cutting direction. 3. Use a bigger cutter blade when carving hard surfaces or when heavier pressure is needed to cut through the surface. Sometimes if the paper is thoroughly dried the surface can be as hard as wood. |
Carving the sculpture without much pressure. No need for the left hand finger support. However, if the surface to be carved are delicate enough, like the hair, I support the blade so as not to cut off the adjacent fine strands that were already carved.
Supporting the blade in a downward direction. Middle finger is retrected and out of the way.
Supporting the blade in an upward direction. Middle finger is, again, retrected and out of the way.
The middle finger is in the way of the cutter's blade. NEVER position your finger this way. If the blade slips, and it almost always likely to happen, then your blood will be part of the sculpture.
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