MRB Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Hi, Just a quick question regarding ceramic blanket/board fibers. Everyone seems to emphasize sealing their forges to prevent loose fibers from drifting in the shop. However, when I look at forges such as Diamondback, it seems as if they just use raw ceramic blanket with nothing over it. I’ve also been told by another smith who I highly respect that there is no need to seal the fibers, as unless you poke or scrape at the blanket, fibers won’t come loose. Seeing his forge operate, I understand this point. Also, MSDS for Inswool/Kaowool never really states a carcinogenic hazard either, listing it more as a potential irritant. I understand that I don’t want to breath in anything extra I don’t have to, but is there really a significant hazard to the unlined ceramic blanket, and does anyone use a Diamondback or similiar forge with the raw wool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 The potential risk to breathing in the fiber out weighs the simplicity of coating the wool. Just recently coated mine and it was easy and not very expensive. We have enough to worry about, why not rigidize and coat it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 I only coated the diamondback forge I have with plistix to seal it since it was fiberboard instead of blanket. There is a small bit of blanket in the door that I coated with plistix also. It seems to be holding up fine so far. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey98118 Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 Colloidal silica rigidizer is meant for ceramic blanket. Ceramic board needs one of the finish coatings, instead. Of course, rigidized blanket becomes a good candidate for finish coatings too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 23 hours ago, MRB said: but is there really a significant hazard to the unlined ceramic blanket, Yes there is, if you are not convinced I suggest reading this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leather Bill Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 There's significant hazard presented by a piece of ceramic blanket just lying around the shop where it might be disturbed occasionally. I have to ask why you have to think twice about this? Do you see a possible advantage in not incapsolating the stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 It can cause silicosis,COPD, and other pulmonary diseases after repeated exposures. Not a good way to go. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 Pnut, and Mr. L.B., Is correct. Mesothelioma and silicosis are horrible diseases to contract, and most probably die from. There is a thread concerning such disease caused by particulate contaminants. I believe it was started by a member, a smith and doctor that specialized in such maladies. Look up chuck wright on the threads on this site, to get a lot of information and grisly pictures of a young smith that unknowingly exposed himself to gas forge flaking materials.* I am too lazy to repeat the extensive correspondence details, here. Look them up and avoid killing yourself. (I am not exaggerating.) Hope that helps, SLAG. * I believe that Dr. Wright performed a heart lung transplant on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 That is the thread I linked to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 IDFC, You are right. I missed your post. (above) Sorry about that. SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.