Modding Safety Tips

[bleachmaniac]

::Introduction::

Safety.

This should be the main concern for all modifications. Daily, we encounter various situations where we are in danger from the use of the simplest of tools. Many have suffered from accidents which could of been avoided by quick safety procedures. Accounts of lost fingers or burnt skin have been too often told. Some have even grieved over the loss of an eye.  To what goal ? Merely reaching 100 feet with a Reactor ? Making your Big Bad Bow shoot Nerf footballs ? Nothing is worth losing something that we may never get back.

Be safe.
Be careful.

Below, you will find a list of common modification tools or accidents in alphabetical order.

Feel free to add any tips if I am missing any.



::Modification Safety Tips::


Burns -
As soon as you noticed the burn, wipe the area on a dry surface (shirt, pants) to transfer away the heat. Quickly apply cold water or ice to the burnt area.
Do not apply ice directly to the body. Cover it with a cloth first.

Carving Tools -
Be precise when cutting.
Gloves are recommended.

Cuts -
Clean the wound with a cloth.
Disinfect the wound.
Apply pressure to the wound.
Hold the wound above heart level.
Apply ice if necessary.

Drill -
Work slowly and start from smaller bits to larger bits.

Epoxy -
DO NOT breath in fumes.
Clean your hands when finished.

Epoxy Putty -
Wear Gloves.

Fumes -
Do not breath in.

Hack Saw -
Be precise when cutting.

Hot Glue -
Unplug the Hot Glue Gun when not in use.
Be careful.
Do not apply any part of the body near the tip of the gun.
Gloves are recommended.
Do not pour over toxic adhesives such as epoxy or plumber's goop.

Paint -
Wear a Filter Mask.
Paint outdoors.

Rotary Tool -
Wear swimming goggles or safety goggles.
Wear sound reducing equipment if you plan to work for long hours.
Be precise when cutting at high velocities.
It is not recommended to use this tool at the highest speed available for your brand of rotary tool. Fumes will occur when working with plastic.

Super Glue -
Where gloves to prevent bonding with the glue on your hands.
When you have Super Glue on your hands, rinse the latter with warm water and slowly peel off the glue.

Sanding -
Wear Filter Masks and Goggles when sanding at high velocities.

Scissors -
Do not run with scissors.
Do not use them to poke holes.
When not in use, hold them by the blade closed.

Screwdriver -
Be precise when screwing. Do use when the screwdriver is facing a part of your body.

X-acto Knives -
Use only a small portion of the blade.
Do not take the blade completely out. This is superfluous and dangerous.
Be precise when cutting.

[homasimpson]

Ha, I was using an x-acto knife and took off half of my nail once. Good times...good times.

[seeyouinhell2mf]

c
carving tools
be extremely careful when using as I once made a clean slice through my fingernail and a good portion of my finger I recommended gloves or not using.

[Windcalmer]

I found out something the hard way today. In my 31 years on this planet I had never done it before.

I used some superglue to glue a CPVC barrel to a blaster. Then after 5 or so minutes I layed a layer of hot glue over it. Within seconds my eyes started burning and my vision got VERY blurry. I had to drop the blaster and sit on the floor for about 5 minutes till I could see again. Then I came in from my workshop and washed my eyes out for a good 15 minutes.

So be warned, I don't know if this will always happen with all super glues and heat, but be VERY careful guys and girls! Its been about and hour and my eyes still feel like they are on fire.

Hope it saves at least of you from having this happen.

[Ubermensch]

Shiat. Thanks for the tip, I can definitely see myself making the same mistake.

[Fishy]

It says on every superglue not to expose it to heat. If you do it evaporates and leaves a nasty fume in the air that is harmful.

I'm not surprised that this happened to you, you haven't done very many smart things lately.

Just as a warning: Read the warnings on everything.

[DeadDumpster]

I used some superglue to glue a CPVC barrel to a blaster. Then after 5 or so minutes I layed a layer of hot glue over it. Within seconds my eyes started burning and my vision got VERY blurry. I had to drop the blaster and sit on the floor for about 5 minutes till I could see again. Then I came in from my workshop and washed my eyes out for a good 15 minutes.

So be warned, I don't know if this will always happen with all super glues and heat, but be VERY careful guys and girls! Its been about and hour and my eyes still feel like they are on fire.

Sucks, doesn't it? Don't gasp in surprise immediately after it happens, trust me.

[Windcalmer]

I'm not surprised that this happened to you, you haven't done very many smart things lately.

Such as? If I may ask?

[bluerinse]

Don't try to cut the thin cheap plastic of nerf guns with a chop saw. It pretty much explodes.

[AdmiralCrowe]

Another one to throw in.

Estes Model Glue is flammable. Very Flammable. Also, avoid using rubbing alcohol to remove sticky residue from leftover or sloppy glue works. Cause its also flammable.

Make a long story short, its very similar to what happened with the super glue, but if either of those heat up, your project will also burst into flames, along with the fumes.

I don't know to much about modding, but i have done some soldering, and some hot glueing. If you plan to do either or, avoid any kind of glue, and alcohol. On anything.

[Zero96]

I used some superglue to glue a CPVC barrel to a blaster. Then after 5 or so minutes I layed a layer of hot glue over it. Within seconds my eyes started burning and my vision got VERY blurry. I had to drop the blaster and sit on the floor for about 5 minutes till I could see again. Then I came in from my workshop and washed my eyes out for a good 15 minutes.

So be warned, I don't know if this will always happen with all super glues and heat, but be VERY careful guys and girls! Its been about and hour and my eyes still feel like they are on fire.

Sucks, doesn't it? Don't gasp in surprise immediately after it happens, trust me.

So in addition to those nasty effects what happened?

[Windcalmer]

Nothing bad happens to the blaster or part you are working on. It just burns your eyes. Nothing permanent or anything. Just hurts and you know not to do it again. Is that what you were asking?

Also, Fishy never did let me know all the other dumb things I had been doing? Still waiting to hear more on that little comment.