This was brought up on the ARC forum and I thought I would get some input here. Maybe Gip can give us his professional opinion on this.
I mentioned that I fill my Touch-N-Flow by inserting the metal tube on the end into the bottle of Tenax, and then apply suction to the tube with my mouth to fill the tube about half way. It does not come up into the tube fast enough to really worry about getting it into your mouth, but a post on the other forum brought this information up:
So would you agree with this? I had never thought about the fumes being ingested into the lining of the mouth. [:0]
That might explain why my brain slips the clutch ever so often lately. [:-^] [;)]
Yup, I agree a 100% with the stated dangers. The danger levels of M.E.K. (the active ingredient) is measured in parts per million and the health risk is quite high. The risk is evaluated for airborn dispersion in the air employees breath, your getting a concentrated hit of this toxic stuff. I handle the MSDS(Material Safety Data Sheets) book were I work and have become more aware about chemicals since taking on this job. I use an oiler with the thin needle like metal tube for filling my Touch-N-Flow.[xx(]
I have this kit that I bought and will start using the squeeze bottle now.
I only did it the way I was because it took too long to pour it into the squeeze bottle, screw the cap with syringe on, and fill the Touch-N-Flow. But the hassle is worth it for the sake of health. [;)]
Whoa Mike!!! You’re crazy!!! Been huffing much Tenax lately!!! LOL I think that smoking works that way also. Even though you are inhaling the smoke into your lungs, the nicotine and other chemicals are absorbed in your mouth also. In terms of safety you can never be too cautious, or too impatient!!! People always make fun of me for using safety glasses and hearing protection at work, but you try working around planes, jets, helicopters, and all of the airtools we use, and you start to notice you don’t hear things so well. I’m only 27, but I want to hear, and see everyone when I’m 40!! I wish I could come up with a good way to use CA without breathing the fumes so much, besides using a fan and a respirator.
I have a drafting pen and I use it for CA glues only.
I don’t like them for Tenax because you need to keep the Tenax open to dip the drafting pen in it and a lot evaporates that way. The Touch-N-Flow is so much better in my opinion.
But Mike , I’ll ask you a simple question : why don’t you merely put the Touch’n Flo upside down ( the glass end ) into the bottle of Tenax, or whatever glue you want, let it climb inside the glass tube, then take the the TnF out of the bottle put it on the right position ( the metal part down) then let the glue fall into the bottom of the TnF ? As far as I know, this the right method to fill it.
I was joking Jose. [;)]
I used my Touch-N-Flow yesterday and filled it the way you mentioned by turning it upside down and putting it into the bottle of Tenax.
It worked fairly well, but needs to be refilled often because it only puts a small amount into the tube.
But on the other hand, this way , you won’t do the BIG mistake I did myself, as I filled it largely and when I finished my modelling session ( ouh là là, modelling session, ma chère…) I left the glue in the TnF and made a break of about three weeks; when I took it again, glue was definitely dry inside and this moment I don’t already know how I am going to repair this; fortunately, I had two or three spare TnF; by the way, as the TnF is filled as high as the level of the bottle of glue, put it into a full bottle, er is with the higher possible level; another point now, it’s Tenax as it evaporates very quickly ( drawback of its great qualities, I bet ) so this also may be a problem with the glue supply in the TnF. Let me know.
Mike,
Don’t suck on the tube! Getting MEK up the schnoz, in the mouth and down the lungs ain’t the right way to do it. Allow the capillary action to do it for you.
The amount of vapors you’re getting in your mouth is probably minimal at best; It would take about 500-5,000 mg/kg of body weight (via oral ingestion) to be considered a lethal dose. Less than that has the potential to make you pretty sick. My concern is that one of these days, you’re going to suck for too long, and wind up with a mouthful of MEK–not a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, this type of behavior winds up being a “when” and not an “if”–and you live too far away for me to come visit you in the hospital every day…
A couple of suggestions, brother:
Allow enough time for the TNF to pull up enough cement for you to use. Put the TNF in the bottle as you’re gathering your thoughts, and getting your processes in order to begin building. In other words, adjust your tasks to compensate for time loss.
Go to someplace like Fisher Scientific and buy a rubber pipette bulb. They’ll pull up your Tenax without your having to place your mouth on the tube.
Ultimately, if filling speed is still an issue, get rid of the TNF and go to a small paint brush to apply your cement. A good 1/0 natural sable round works well…and may be the best way for you to go.
Thanks for the info Gip.
It is appreciated brother. [;)]
It is not that big of a deal to use the squeeze bottle that came with the Touch-N-Flow kit. You just unscrew the lid, pour Tenax into it from the bottle, screw the cap back on and then insert the squeeze bottle’s hypodermic tubing into the back of the T-N-F and squeeze the bottle to fill 'er up. [tup]
I would hope so as it came with the kit from the manufacturer for the very purpose of filling the Touch-N-Flow. [;)]
I have used it before with no problems.
Mike, have you tried blowing across the top of the tube? I think if you did that the movement of the air across the top might lower the pressure enough at the top of the tube to cause it to fill up from the bottom… Just blow across the top the way you would to make a beer bottle whistle. The tip wouldn’t be in your mouth, and you’d be blowing vapors away from you. It might be worth a try.
