Re: Darkroom Sinks for platinum work

richard Sullivan (richsul@roadrunner.com)
Fri, 9 Feb 1996 17:15:52 -0700

>Awhile back I told the list that I had a program I could send that would allow
>transfer of binary, and non-ascii data via email. I think that the recent
>troubles with sending the density information could be avoided with its use.
>
>However, the sender must have a program to prepare the data for sending.
>There are many versions of this available from lots of different sources.
>If needed I can send a copy.
>
>The process is called Unix to Unix copy and there are two programs uuencode
>and uudecode needed. I have a uudecode program, no I did not write it, that
>is in itself a text file. All you need to do is access the email message
>that contains it with any word processor, strip away all the extra stuff, and
>save the result as a plain text file under an appropriate name. The
>instructions are included in the file. The resulting text file is a uudecode
>executable file under DOS. If you have the uudecode file I can uuencode a
>uuencode file and send it via email so you can then uudecode it. You
>will then be able to uuencode files to send via email for uudecoding. Sounds
>like a Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers game but it works well.
>
>I can post this to the list if there is any interest.
>
>Second, I have a comment with respect to Dick Sullivan's message about
>fiberglass sinks and his comment about "head trips for months." The resin
>system involved is most probably polyester. The fumes from that are very
>penetrating, not all that unpleasant, and can cause permanent severe central
>nervous system damage. Every exposure causes some damage which may or may not
>be reversible. I stopped working with the stuff several years ago after a
>three day headache from it. Your tolerance for pain may be greater than mine.
>
>If the system involves large volumes of thick resin and small volumes of
>watery hardener you are likely dealing with this. All the hardeners I've run
>accross use methyl ethyl ketone peroxide which will be mentioned on the label
>somewhere. Typical use involves several ounces, a few hundred cc's, of resin
>to a few drops of hardener. The volume ratios are very big. Most autobody
>fillers use this system although for these the hardener is often thickened
>and dispensed from what looks like a small toothpaste tube. Work outdoors or
>with huge ventilation. Darkrooms are inherently a bad place for this
>system. As far as I am concerned there is no way to use this stuff safely
>indoors without industrial stregth ventilation and masks rated for toxic
>organic vapors.
>
>Epoxy systems are more expensive but the hazards are easier to deal with. You
>likey have an epoxy system if the resin and the hardner are both thick and
>used in similar volumes. The resin may be honey colored. Anything from equal
>volumes down to say 5 to 1. A better clue is the thickness. The main hazard
>with epoxies is contact dermatitis from the hardener. Wear gloves. After
>mixing the hazard is quite low unless you have been previously sensitized. In
>that case you probably won't be able to go near this stuff. Dermatitis is
>rare for casual users and you will most likely recover from it.
>
>None of the above is absolute. People work with polyester for years without
>apparent trouble and others can't go near epoxy hardeners from their very
>first exposure. There are many other resin systems out there which mimic
>the above descriptions and have entirely different characteristics. Read
>the labels and in the U.S. at least you can get the safety sheets that go
>with the products.
>
>Take care, and stay away from polyester resin.
>
>E. Robkin
>erobkin@uwcmail.uwc.edu
>
E.
Shucks, work me all the time resin stuff head no bother. Good feel all time
me. No brain me effect anytime ever.

Thanks for the warning.
>
>