Hydrofluoric acid inhaled

Larry White · Post by **Larry White** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:40 am

Hi Erik-
I'm not sure exactly what type of acid etching you plan on doing, and different types require different dilution ratios. Most of the different ratios have been discussed on this board and in various step-by-steps and other instructions. Keep in mind that most all of these ratios are calculated from a 48%-52% strength acid. I have heard of the stronger 70%, but have never seen or used it. You're going to have to recalculate the amount of dilution if you're following most of the instructions that have been noted here.

Safety is a concern, but I don't think you need to wear a space suit. Like I've said, my table saw instills more fear in me than working with acid. I have a nice "Acid Lounge" here in Machine that I do my acid etching in. It has a positive air flow which directs the fumes away from me. Working with a volume of liquid acid is trickier than doing mica etching. If you ever plan on doing liquid etching (no mica), construct a tilt off table to pour off the acid. NEVER try to pick up the actual piece of glass or vat to pour it off...you WILL spill it!

Here's a picture of the one I fabricated:

Notice all that protective equipment...two pair of gloves is about it. ...and a fan.

I'm not sure where Rick Glawson got his acid etching sandals, so I just wear my boots. I've acid etched for 20 years, haven't got any on myself yet...where's that "knock on wood" icon?

I typically do my acid etching after hours, where there's no distractions. Follow the directions...ask questions when uncertain, don't be in hurry, stay focused at the task at hand, and you'll be alright!

-AHO!

Roderick Treece · Post by **Roderick Treece** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:14 pm

Larry,Thanks for the photo of "The Acid Lounge".I still wear a resperator all the time while I am working with HF.I guess I'm just more sensitive to the fumes that others.

erik winkler · Post by **erik winkler** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:56 pm

Larry,

I remember seeing a photo of your table earlier. It looks great! Thanks for posting. And risks are reduced a lot working like this.
The only problem I can see for myself is that I do not have a vacant room, I will have to do it outside. Furthermore I do not have a space to put a contaminated table like this in storage. The bucket, the half rinpipe, the tube and the glue to put it together are they on pvc basis? Because to me it still a bit unknown wich plastics can deal with HF for a longer period of time. Because someone posted that some plastics can get corrosive after a while...
Any solutions with a table, without an extra etching room?
I can not find the exact concentrations and minute data sheets for the etching.
I have noted the micca etching down during Dave Smith's workshop, but I want to do the 'normal' etching of the big pieces of glass with floral elements etc. also.

Well I made up my mind, I am a strong believer in Murphy's Law: Anything that has a probability of happening greater than 0 can and will happen.
So I will buy my mask with filter, facial screen, shoe and clothes protection for the first second drops and ofcourse the gel and powders.

Darth

DAVE SMITH · Post by **DAVE SMITH** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:15 pm

Erik
You look good in that! Good Luck with the acid
Dave

Sarah King · Post by **Sarah King** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:34 am

Before anyone spends to much money at the chemical supply store please remember that calcium carbonate is the chemical name for whiting and whiting is available at any stained glass supply store in 1 lb and 5 lb buckets. Unlike calcium gluconate, it does not have a shelf life or any special storage requirements. I buy the Synko brand in 4 lb cartons (20 cartons at a time) on special order from my local paint store. Let me know if you can't find it near you - I have lots. Stained glass folks use a lot of whiting.

erik winkler · Post by **erik winkler** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:55 am

Thanks for vthe tip Sarah,

I still did not buy anything. Because it is a lot of money i was still searching wich adres is the best and cheapest.
Finally i know what you English speaking people mean with whiting. I did a goolge translation, but I only says "Kalk"... and kalk can mean the aggresive one wich reacts with water or the one which already contains water and the direct stuff you can get out of the mountains (which has some contamination of soil in it). Very strange but no good translations. Well I will buy the 'normal' calcium carbonate' at my ceramics suplier who also sells the cerium oxide and feldspar (i use to make my own Bon Ami soap bars).
A lot of time spended in these silly things, but what the hack, it is a hobby and not a living.

Well from nederland I wish you all a happy "Sinterklaas feest" today!

DAVE SMITH · Post by **DAVE SMITH** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:22 am

Erik.
Is that you on the horse? I thought you dressed as Darth Vadar. I reckon it looks like the two on the left and right have been inhaling to much acid.
Dave

erik winkler · Post by **erik winkler** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:08 am

I wish i was as handsome Dave....

Sinterklaas is the prototype of the British/American/Worldy Santa Claus.
A brief history: Sinteklaas was a mythical figure during the 16th century in Holland.
He really lived a few centuries before in Spain and was the patron saint of the childeren, because he was helping poor childeren in his time.
Ofcourse an important figure in that time had to have a helping hand, and yes in that time those were slaves...
We call them "Zwarte Piet" (black Pete), they play, jump, dance and fool around to entertain the kids.
During 'Sinterklaas feest' kids get sweets (recipies turn back 450 years!) which are thrown in the air and the childeren jump to the ground to fetch them.
And on the birthday (3 weeks after Sinteklaas came to Nedeland from Spain) he celebrates his birthday and all the kids get some nice presents.
Kids which were not that sweet that year are being told that the won't get any present but a good spanck with the 'roe'

or are taken back with Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet in his empty back wich contained the presents

.

So Dave you can choose, what will it be.... a nice little boy and get your sweets and presents or a bad naughty boy and get some spanking by that old man and his black painted helpers and travel back with him to spain in a tight hennep bag?

Later on this fest was copied by the English and made big by the Coca Cola company... the rest is known history: Empty purses, bankaccount and a lot of stress

DAVE SMITH · Post by **DAVE SMITH** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 12:40 pm

I'll settle for the spanking Erik...............
Dave

Sarah King · Post by **Sarah King** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:40 pm

Erik,

I thought that the bad kids got a lump of coal.

On a more serious note - calcium carbonate - ie whiting - might be translated as kalk because it is, in fact, powdered chalk. When it is compressed into a stick you can use it to write on a blackboard. It is also used as a filler for vitamin pills and other medicine. It is completely inert and harmless to the human body unless you inhale large amounts of the dust. We have an MSDS for it on our website at http://angelgilding.com/media/products/ ... _A2505.pdf