bad smell are emitted during machining leather

[Zack00]

I read in an article, Because smoke and bad smell are emitted during machining leather, it is necessary to use an exhaust system of the laser machine. When engraving and cutting of faux leather is performed, harmful for human's health stuff, hydrogen chloride, evolves. Inhaling of this gas can cause serious harm and even death.
 
I have a question, if the hood can not cope, you can use the lid of the machine (close during work).  For some reason, I thought all laser machines close just when working with harmful masters. or am I just lucky enough to have a cool CO2 laser machine? 

 

[PastorBob]

Definitely have a ventilation system setup.  Also only do veg tan leather.  Chrome tan emits a toxic gas when hit with laser.

[Bert03241]

I cut chrome tan quite often you just need a good exhaust system and wipe down inside laser with light oil rag after cutting

[Nikos69]

Quote

 

am I just lucky enough to have a cool CO2 laser machine? 

Your machine must not be good at all and people should avoid the company you work for that is  linked in your signature. Your post is a cut & paste from their website.

The majority of reputable, enclosed laser engravers will be rated as class 1 and considered safe under normal use with proper ventilation. 

[kgg]

On 10/7/2022 at 3:16 PM, Zack00 said:

or am I just lucky enough to have a cool CO2 laser machine? 

Interesting your signature links to Wattsan a Chinese manufacturer of laser and CNC equipment with "An Lee" as a their CNC Specialist.

kgg

[mchaney2003]

On 10/7/2022 at 10:57 AM, PastorBob said:

Definitely have a ventilation system setup.  Also only do veg tan leather.  Chrome tan emits a toxic gas when hit with laser.

Chrome tanned leather is actually perfectly safe to cut or engrave with a laser. That misinformation largely spread due to Glowforge's published list of dangerous and safe material. They simply didn't know for certain and so err'd on the side of caution. 

 

this video goes into great depth on the chemicals released and why it is safe: https://youtu.be/4_z2XHCtUtE

I use chrome tanned in my laser every day. :D

[PastorBob]

17 hours ago, mchaney2003 said:

Chrome tanned leather is actually perfectly safe to cut or engrave with a laser.

Good to know.  I will check out the video.  And yes, I have the GF.

[Tugadude]

The spurious nature of the OP's message aside, I think it is worthy of conversation.  Breathing in any chemicals can't be good for anyone.  Period.  I don't care if it is bathroom cleaners or paint strippers or in this case, gasses emitted during the operation of a laser on leather.  None of it is going to be beneficial and quite possibly, some might be harmful, even to the point of serious impact on one's health, now or in the future.

And therein lies the rub.  Many illnesses and other afflictions don't appear until many years later.  Ask a dermatologist about the long term effects of sunburn.   The potential for skin cancer sometimes begins with that sunburn you experienced in your youth.  Too late to do anything now but remove the cancerous cells and hope for the best.

And so, when I read threads like this I cringe.  I cringe because we're talking about things we (most of us anyway) don't understand.  Do we really want to take the word of a machine manufacturer?  Did they do exhaustive studies on all of the gasses created when using their machine on various materials?  No, of course they didn't.  To suggest otherwise is just silly and naive.

And I don't think leatherworkers are going to be able to give an educated answer either.  Not unless they are aware of a study where that laser or similar was used on the leathers in question.  And again, the studies likely don't exist.

What we are left with is good old common sense, which is unfortunately uncommon at times.  Nobody should take comfort in the words of others as to what is safe or not, especially when all they are doing is going with their best guess.

So what to do?  Use chemicals sparingly, going with safer alternatives whenever possible.  People lived for thousands of years without all of the harsh cleaners folks use in their bathrooms weekly if not daily.  And if their ventilation isn't the best, and it usually isn't, I don't even want to think about all of the stuff wafting around the homes.

Work outside when you can.  Move the laser to the back porch if the weather is decent.  You'll be safer and maybe enjoy the view.  Oh, and don't forget to wear sunblock!

God gave us senses for a reason.  Most of us can immediately smell things that are potentially harmful.  Avoid them.  If you don't, you'll probably feel OK next week and maybe even next year.  Who knows the damage that might be collecting only to be revealed later in life when it is too late.

[Tugadude]

P.S.  I'm not picking on anyone in this thread or other similar threads.  We're all guilty of making assumptions and repeating things we hear or read.  I know I am.  When in doubt, trust nobody but yourself and if it seems dangerous, avoid it!

[Bert03241]

yes yes yes I'm carrying my 450# laser out to the back pouch, were I have a beautiful view ,

[Tugadude]

43 minutes ago, Bert03241 said:

yes yes yes I'm carrying my 450# laser out to the back pouch, were I have a beautiful view ,

I responded and then thought better of it.  I'll just let my original comments speak for themselves.  

Edited October 10, 2022 by Tugadude

[chuck123wapati]

Hey Tug do you take the same precautions with buying processed foods or even your water? I ask because there are more dangerous chemicals being introduced into our bodies than just from breathing. Read an msds for fluoride for example, and as its put into every water supply its in every processed food and beverage and we don't  have any idea how much we consume. Its important for sure to be proactive and trust no one.  Just for fun sometime read the ingredients on a package of processed health food.

Recently, epidemiological studies have suggested that fluoride is a human developmental neurotoxicant that reduces measures of intelligence in children, placing it into the same category as toxic metals (lead, methylmercury, arsenic) and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Edited October 11, 2022 by Northmount
removed quote as was requested

[Tugadude]

1 hour ago, chuck123wapati said:

 

Hey Tug do you take the same precautions with buying processed foods or even your water? I ask because there are more dangerous chemicals being introduced into our bodies than just from breathing. Read an msds for fluoride for example, and as its put into every water supply its in every processed food and beverage and we don't  have any idea how much we consume. Its important for sure to be proactive and trust no one.  Just for fun sometime read the ingredients on a package of processed health food.

Recently, epidemiological studies have suggested that fluoride is a human developmental neurotoxicant that reduces measures of intelligence in children, placing it into the same category as toxic metals (lead, methylmercury, arsenic) and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Chuck, please do me a favor and delete the part of your message where you quote me.  I went back and edited that out because I thought better of it.  Your copying it before I could do so has now memorialized it.

To answer your question, nobody can avoid every potential hazard all of the time.  The fact remains there are oftentimes simple solutions to avoiding some risks, that's all I was hoping to communicate.  I could have said wearing an expensive respirator was a good idea and while it might make sense on one level, it isn't practical or affordable, so I didn't.   Working outdoors when you have to work with stuff that gives off fumes is just a good idea.  Now somebody is going to point out it isn't good for the atmosphere to do so.  Sometimes you can't win.

 

Edited October 10, 2022 by Tugadude

[chuck123wapati]

55 minutes ago, Tugadude said:

Chuck, please do me a favor and delete the part of your message where you quote me.  I went back and edited that out because I thought better of it.  Your copying it before I could do so has now memorialized it.

To answer your question, nobody can avoid every potential hazard all of the time.  The fact remains there are oftentimes simple solutions to avoiding some risks, that's all I was hoping to communicate.  I could have said wearing an expensive respirator was a good idea and while it might make sense on one level, it isn't practical or affordable, so I didn't.   Working outdoors when you have to work with stuff that gives off fumes is just a good idea.  Now somebody is going to point out it isn't good for the atmosphere to do so.  Sometimes you can't win.

 

lol no biggie friend i will if i can delete it. my edit button has been gone for some time. I thought your message was good. 

[Northmount]

4 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

lol no biggie friend i will if i can delete it. my edit button has been gone for some time. I thought your message was good. 

Done.  Note that the edit button is only available for a short period of time.  Don't know how long it is, but don't depend on it being there more than an hour

[chuck123wapati]

10 hours ago, Northmount said:

Done.  Note that the edit button is only available for a short period of time.  Don't know how long it is, but don't depend on it being there more than an hour

thank you very much .

10 hours ago, Northmount said:

Done.  Note that the edit button is only available for a short period of time.  Don't know how long it is, but don't depend on it being there more than an hour

nope it doesn't come up on my posts at all.

[dikman]

On 10/10/2022 at 1:49 AM, kgg said:

Interesting your signature links to Wattsan a Chinese manufacturer of laser and CNC equipment with "An Lee" as a their CNC Specialist.

kgg

If you go to his profile it gives Wattsan as his url, so presumably he's working for the company?

[Bert03241]

I have a small table outside on the deck were I do most of my gluing . @tugadude hey man I was just rattling your cage. It is a good idea to avoid toxic fumes when you can.

My house is infested with dandi long legs and I'm using home defense around the house. I wear a n95 mask I can feel spray drops on my face and arms as I spray the higher areas around windows and stuff. Hope I'll be ok

Edited October 12, 2022 by Bert03241

[Tugadude]

8 hours ago, Bert03241 said:

I have a small table outside on the deck were I do most of my gluing . @tugadude hey man I was just rattling your cage. It is a good idea to avoid toxic fumes when you can.

My house is infested with dandi long legs and I'm using home defense around the house. I wear a n95 mask I can feel spray drops on my face and arms as I spray the higher areas around windows and stuff. Hope I'll be ok

I apologize for taking your comment too seriously.  I guess I'm suffering the effects of situations on a "non-leather" forum I used to frequent.  It was filled with naysayers who laid in the weeds waiting to strike at any opportunity.  Got so bad I left.

So please forgive me for having a short fuse.  I will try to keep it in mind the next time.  We all have moments where we need to take a deep breath.

Thanks for your comment!

Ray

[Bert03241]

3 hours ago, Tugadude said:

I apologize for taking your comment too seriously.  I guess I'm suffering the effects of situations on a "non-leather" forum I used to frequent.  It was filled with naysayers who laid in the weeds waiting to strike at any opportunity.  Got so bad I left.

So please forgive me for having a short fuse.  I will try to keep it in mind the next time.  We all have moments where we need to take a deep breath.

Thanks for your comment!

Ray

all is good

[Zack00]

On 10/9/2022 at 10:19 AM, kgg said:

Interesting your signature links to Wattsan a Chinese manufacturer of laser and CNC equipment with "An Lee" as a their CNC Specialist.

kgg

Yes, the signature link is to the manufacturer of the CNC machine on which I work. The signature was made for that if anyone is interested, I can give real advice on the machine as a user.  I am constantly improving my skills, so I read various articles, including the Wattsan site, and ask for advice on forums.

[Zack00]

On 10/7/2022 at 10:57 AM, PastorBob said:

Definitely have a ventilation system setup.  Also only do veg tan leather.  Chrome tan emits a toxic gas when hit with laser.

Thank you very much for the advice.  There is ventilation + I close the lid of the machine when working, but if you work non-stop, of course, it doesn't help so much.

On 10/7/2022 at 11:48 PM, Bert03241 said:

I cut chrome tan quite often you just need a good exhaust system and wipe down inside laser with light oil rag after cutting

Hmm... interesting! Okay, thanks, I'll look it up.

[Zack00]

On 10/9/2022 at 9:15 AM, Nikos69 said:

Your machine must not be good at all and people should avoid the company you work for that is  linked in your signature. Your post is a cut & paste from their website.

The majority of reputable, enclosed laser engravers will be rated as class 1 and considered safe under normal use with proper ventilation. 

Are you sure you have taken a close look at the machine. There is a cover and a hood. Then what is wrong with it. 
What I meant was, if you work without closing the lid, can the hood handle it, or do you have to close the lid? I haven't experimented, so I asked for an opinion. 

[Zack00]

On 10/9/2022 at 12:48 PM, mchaney2003 said:

Chrome tanned leather is actually perfectly safe to cut or engrave with a laser. That misinformation largely spread due to Glowforge's published list of dangerous and safe material. They simply didn't know for certain and so err'd on the side of caution. 

 

this video goes into great depth on the chemicals released and why it is safe: https://youtu.be/4_z2XHCtUtE

I use chrome tanned in my laser every day. :D

Oh cool! Thanks, I'll check it out!

[Zack00]

On 10/11/2022 at 4:51 PM, dikman said:

If you go to his profile it gives Wattsan as his url, so presumably he's working for the company?

Um... unfortunately not. If I worked there, I'd have a lot of money, I'd be sitting in Bali right now, not replying to comments. 

I apologize for my English (it's not my first language). Maybe, that's why difficult to understand my message. I gave Wattsan(manufacturer's) as his url for other users, for information. Because in the future, I want to show my work on forum and maybe ask for advice. And, in order each time not to write manually brand machine I put it in the profile and the signature. if someone will be interested, perhaps...