Kunk35
Member
I've only been turning things on the lathe for less than a year. I've only been doing pens for just a couple months. I've only been turning acrylics for 1/2 that time.
So, a couple weeks ago I had what I can only describe as a major allergy attack. Runny nose, coughing, itchy eyes, the whole gambit. The problem was, I have never in my 46 years been allergic to anything really. I can mow the yard in the Texas dusty environment and not get a sniffle. The fact that I had this attack made me wonder if everyone was right when they say that allergies can come on out of nowhere. It has been really dry and dusty the last month or so, and I did just get my lawn mowed.
After about 4 days after the initial allergy incident, things were almost back to normal. Went out last Friday and made a couple more American flag pens. Saturday my symptoms were back with a vengeance. By Sunday night, I actually thought I might have to go to the ER, a place I have NEVER, EVER, been in my entire life. Monday morning I beat it into the clinic thinking I had contracted pneumonia. (I hadn't) Xray's didn't show anything bad.
I know what you are thinking. Because NOW I am too.
The purpose of my post is to explain to the new pen turners to WEAR A DUST MASK. Now, by Sunday night I was starting to suspect that maybe, JUST MAYBE there was a connection between my projects and my breathing issues. That was completely confirmed tonight after working on just ONE PEN. And I even use water when I'm sanding. There is definitely a connection. My lungs do not get along well with small particles of acrylic. They do not like them and the message is now all too clear.
As stupid as some of you probably think I am, I can now honestly say I'm not as stupid as I was before about an hour ago after coming to the realizations that I have now come to.
And that is my "DUH" moment. I hope some new pen turners can secretly learn from my experience, so you won't have to admit it openly on a pen turner's forum....
So, a couple weeks ago I had what I can only describe as a major allergy attack. Runny nose, coughing, itchy eyes, the whole gambit. The problem was, I have never in my 46 years been allergic to anything really. I can mow the yard in the Texas dusty environment and not get a sniffle. The fact that I had this attack made me wonder if everyone was right when they say that allergies can come on out of nowhere. It has been really dry and dusty the last month or so, and I did just get my lawn mowed.
After about 4 days after the initial allergy incident, things were almost back to normal. Went out last Friday and made a couple more American flag pens. Saturday my symptoms were back with a vengeance. By Sunday night, I actually thought I might have to go to the ER, a place I have NEVER, EVER, been in my entire life. Monday morning I beat it into the clinic thinking I had contracted pneumonia. (I hadn't) Xray's didn't show anything bad.
I know what you are thinking. Because NOW I am too.
The purpose of my post is to explain to the new pen turners to WEAR A DUST MASK. Now, by Sunday night I was starting to suspect that maybe, JUST MAYBE there was a connection between my projects and my breathing issues. That was completely confirmed tonight after working on just ONE PEN. And I even use water when I'm sanding. There is definitely a connection. My lungs do not get along well with small particles of acrylic. They do not like them and the message is now all too clear.
As stupid as some of you probably think I am, I can now honestly say I'm not as stupid as I was before about an hour ago after coming to the realizations that I have now come to.
And that is my "DUH" moment. I hope some new pen turners can secretly learn from my experience, so you won't have to admit it openly on a pen turner's forum....