zinc coating = galvanized... def. not good for you to breath in large quantities. Fire ring *might* be okay...
See post 1139, mine is definitely Stainless steel. If you have an old porcelain coated one the is no galvi (zinc) on those either.
I didnt make them but I played a large part in the construction... Some of my students projects. Not bad for 7th and 8th graders! Don't remember who came up with the idea to make shields last year, but it sure caught on quick! I've got one girl in one of the classes, and she's making SHEET METAL HIGH HEELS. :huh They are actually coming together really well- and when we get to the leather working half of the class, I think they'll be awesome. One more. Spoiler for a go cart. Had to build it in sections because my bench tools can only handle a 24" chunk of metal... He was quite proud of it.
+1! Those tools are way too dangerous to look at! And one of those kids might actually build something theyre proud of and have some confidence in themselves! Do you REALLY want to be responsible for something like that!?
Yes, they (I) still teach shop somewhere... Truth be told I graduated with my degree in Ed but couldnt find a job teaching "Shop"- just tech or web design or computers, so I lucked into a different job. Spent 6 yrs there, got laid off, and fell into this job and have loved every agonizing stressfull overworked minute of it. I also teach Small Engines, Bicycle repair, leatherworking, and a couple of Tech classes. LOVE my job... well, most parts of it anyways. Politics suck.
Keep up the good work! The idea might catch on. <iframe width="640" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C-VacaaN75o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <BR>
Huh, thats pretty interesting. Have to say I agree with a lot of that... Still pretty annoyed that my totally awesome truck that theoretically can get 50 mpg is not "street legal" because the gov't says it aint. :huh Thank goodness for loopholes. As for doing dangerous things- In my 2 1/3 years as a teacher, the worst injury I've had in my shop (knock on wood) was a concussion. Course, the kid had already had two concussions the week before at football practices, which caused him to faint in my shop, fall over backwards, and whack his head AGAIN on the concrete. Lots of little cuts, some smashed fingers, and a burn or two, but so far thats it. (again... knock on wood.) Set some simple rule, explain the consequences, and they do a pretty good job of governing themselves. If they dont, the learn the consequences firsthand and are extremely unlikely to make the same mistake again.
When I think back, I can't believe they let us KIDS use lathes, and table saws, ETC. I shudder to think of young people doing it now (not that many get to) However, I LOVED it, and use all of the tools I did then, and more every day now, so.... Like mentioned earlier, teach proper use, and respect, and kids will generally come through, and even have fun learning! Keep up the good job Teach!
I still have a scar from one of my best ever life lessons that I learned in Shop class......never hold what your using the wood chisel on in your hand
Zinc Oxide is non toxic. I wouldn't make a habit of breathing it, but it isn't the death sentence it's made out to be. From OSHA: Zinc is used in large quantities in the manufacture of brass, galvanized metals, and various other alloys. Inhalation of zinc oxide fumes can occur when welding or cutting on zinc-coated metals. Exposure to these fumes is known to cause metal fume fever. Symptoms of metal fume fever are very similar to those of common influenza. They include fever (rarely exceeding 102<SUP>o</SUP> F), chills, nausea, dryness of the throat, cough, fatigue, and general weakness and aching of the head and body. The victim may sweat profusely for a few hours, after which the body temperature begins to return to normal. The symptoms of metal fume fever have rarely, if ever, lasted beyond 24 hours. The subject can then appear to be more susceptible to the onset of this condition on Mondays or on weekdays following a holiday than they are on other days. Also: http://www.sperkoengineering.com/html/articles/WeldingGalvanized.pdf
i cant think of how much coated metals ive welded ...it dun smell too good but its unavoidable at alot of times
We traditional metal workers lost a giant in the craft due to galvanized stuff. It took two weeks after the event for him to go down, but Paw-Paw Wilson documented it for his last safety lesson. Here is a link worth reading. It's short, to the point, and parts of it are written by the victim. http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor.php?lesson=safety3/demo I will add that it's very unlikely that you would reach the temps needed using a firepit and, most likely, you would be using the pit out of doors so you've got good ventilation. But...........don't tell me that burning zinc fumes are non-toxic.