Machining cast iron - do you cover your ways?

[mikey]

... but rig up my shop vac to catch most of the dust and debris before it hits the ways.

I was just thinking of doing this the next time I turn CI. Great minds ...

 

[chips&more]

Yes, I also use a vac when machining cast iron. Also use a vac when machining phenolic, wood, beryllium and other nasty stuff that I can’t think of at the moment. I always try to use a vac to protect machine and or my body. Please be safe to yourself and others and care for your machines…Dave.

 

[12bolts]

Run a vac and put a magnet in a plastic bag near the cutting area

Cheers Phil

 

[Alan H.]

Phil, I like the magnet in a bag trick! Thanks for the tip.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

Phil, I like the magnet in a bag trick! Thanks for the tip.

Me Too,
Great Idea Phil!!!

 

[Firestopper]

Shop vacs are great, but please make sure your using a serviceable HEPA filter. Breathing in that stuff isn't advisable. We worry about protecting our machines, and sometimes forget the most important machine .

 

[Dinosaur Engineer]

During my 5 year mechanical engineering apprenticeship I was amazed how dirty some guys were in the large M/C shop (100 ton travelling crane !). I watched how thoroughly they washed their hands , arms and faces at finishing time. This washing & scrubbing didn't seem to make a big difference to the colour of their skin. Some guys seemed little affected by this condition. I found out later that the dirty skin condition affected guys who machined lots of large castings ( planers , vertical lathes, large face plate lathes , borers etc.) . This was before the barrier creams and other such remedies were commonly available. These guys just accepted this graphite/ carbon problem as part of the job. I often wonder if any of these guys made any compensation claims against the company.

 

[Rick Berk]

IS A FROGS BUTT WATER TIGHT?
YES, Cover your ways and everything else, cardboard, masking tape, wore out bed sheets, and turn the shop vac on with a discharge hose going to the outside.

 

[Scruffy]

I use a large industrial quality lathe in my home shop. If 60 years in a factory didn't wear it out I don't think it will be damaged by my 3 or 4 hours of use per week if I threw sand on it. Just my thoughts most lathes are used in a factory inviroment are never covered, to dangerous. .
Thanks scruffy

 

[mikey]

Yeah, Scruffy, not disagreeing but somebody has to clean it up. Unfortunately, the rookie machinist in my shop is me so I get to do it and the less I have to do, the better I like it. If I do a good job covering my lathe up, I'm done with cleaning inside of 5 minutes - works for me!