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Safety precautions when sanding, cutting, filing, carving dry Premix/LaDoll/Preimere

Dec 30, 2013

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    1. I know this question has been asked in a variety of forms in different places on this forum, so I preface my question with an apology for quite possibly bringing up a repetitive question. I am ready to begin making a BJD from Activa's product Premix, which is a combination of LaDoll and Premier air-dry clays. I have done much research and know what type of dust mask and respirator I need to get for myself to wear when I am sanding, cutting or doing anything to the BJD which creates dust, as Premix contains silica which is extremely dangerous if breathed in and gets in ones' lungs.
      I live with my husband and have a toddler in our home all day, 5 days a week. My question is, how do I protect them from the clay dust? It is very fine and will be bound to be present in the air sometimes. Does everyone wait until spring (here that means May) when they are able to work outside? I am trying to find a way I can start working on my doll now. There is no possibility of working on it outside, in Fargo, ND, in the winter. What do all the rest of you do? I have read on so many blogs, websites, and here on The Joint of people using LaDoll for their WIP BJDs. How does everyone do it? I just need to know how everyone manages this without endangering other people in their house. Obviously, I'd give up my plans if it could put others in my house at risk for future lung disease. I sure hope there is a way I can work on my BJD in my house. Thank you for any suggestions or advice.
       
      #1 greymalkin, Dec 30, 2013
      Last edited by a moderator: Dec 30, 2013
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    2. First of all, take a look at HEPA filters:
      High-efficiency particulate absorption
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HEPA

      Then think of a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters for it

      Next, a lap tray with the vacuum attached to that.

      Work on the laptray with the vacuum cleaner ON, and make sure the filters are in good condition.

      Maintain a clean room: put on and take off work clothing in that room. Damp mop.

      Wear your respirator, and do not let toddlers or unmasked people in the room.

      Is there a gap under the door? Block it before starting work.

      Other ideas?

      Hopefully helpful.
      (^_^)
       
      #2 kwmelvin, Dec 30, 2013
      Last edited by a moderator: Dec 31, 2013
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      • x 1
    3. kwmelvin Thanks a lot for the information! It was most helpful, especially the wikipedia info on HEPA. Unfortunately, I don't think it is feasible for me to get all that stuff in place and use it many times a day while caring for the little one. The respirator I had planned for but not all the rest. I will have to wait until spring to make my doll when I can work outside to do most of the work. I have plans for three other BJDs and will start the beginning drawing and armature work on them. I have a feeling that many people are not taking the necessary precautions for avoiding inhaling dust from clay. I think it should be stressed more in blogs and on sites about making BJDs from air-dry clay.
       
      #3 greymalkin, Dec 31, 2013
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    4. Not even an entire day has gone by and I realize I will not be able to abide by my above stated decision. I can't wait until spring to begin my OOAK BJD. I have planned too long and am totally ready to start on her. I will now begin my study of other clays and try to find one that doesn't have silica in it, doesn't need to be baked, doesn't make tons of dust, and is not toxic. Basically, something that is family-friendly and can still form a firm, detailed, lovely doll. After I had decided on PreMix air-dry clay, I stopped reading about the other ones. I know there is Sculpey and Apoxie Sculpt. Time for research. If anyone has a suggestion or two they would be appreciatively received. I am so anxious to start my OOAK BJD!
       
      #4 greymalkin, Jan 1, 2014
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    5. If you are looking to make a OOAK doll, and are not planning on casting in resin or flumo/porcelain then I think apoxie sculpt (or any epoxy clay), is a good choice.

      Apoxie sculpt is quite expensive for doll sized amounts and takes time to cure or harden like air dry clay does. But it can be wet sanded, so it doesn't have to make as much dust. It cures very hard and can be painted, so is great for a OOAK doll. It can be quite difficult to work with though, so I'd recommend buying a little bit to try and see how you like it.
       
      #5 irandom, Jan 1, 2014
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    6. Thanks, Irandom, that sounds like it might work. Yes, I have no plans for casting at this time. I need to learn how to make the BJD for now. The only thing is I seem to remember that with Apoxie sculpt you have only a few hours to work on what you are sculpting and then it hardens? Since this will be the first time I am sculpting, I might need more time than it allows. I don't know. I will buy a package and give it a try. It would be really great if the PreMix (LaDoll) could also be wet sanded. If it could be, then I wouldn't have to worry about the dust getting all over the house. When I am cutting and fitting joints and balls, I could just keep it wet so there would be no dust. Maybe that could work? Thank you for your response.
       
      #6 greymalkin, Jan 1, 2014
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    7. Over all I would say that before anything else, get your own area to work in. A spare room, a garage, it doesn't really matter as long as the floor is easy to clean. Make sure everyone knows that that is your space. Toddlers and art materials don't mix.
      Paper clay in itself is usually not toxic (epoxy and super sculpey are) so I think it is a good choice, but the dust can be a real problem.

      You can minimize sanding and carving by using techniques that involves as much of the shaping as possible in wet clay. But some is unavoidable. So sealing off the room is a good idea while you do those things. And perhaps doing those things on days when you are alone, if possible.
      Just remember that paper clay is not very durable so your OOAK-doll may not last forever.
       
      #7 Lillith, Jan 1, 2014
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    8. I'm in the middle of my BJD project using LaDoll clay. It's SO much fun and SO worth the experience. ^_^ As for safety precautions especially with your toddler, I suggest a mask for yourself and a smock or a work jacket/shirt/sweater. Anything you can peel off and wash your hands before interacting with your baby if you are worried about the dust when you start those stages. As an artist working with air dry clay, it's an unavoidable situation that I'm sure you'll find a way around. Like others have suggested... I agree... private room if you can, mask, separate clothes for sculpting, wash up.

      But also I think it's important to note the sanding and rasping stage is only one part of the experience. Some days I spend all rasping where dust flies all over the place then the next day I'll spend all day adding wet clay. So maybe plan some days where you can have a few hours to yourself in a private room to rasp and sand. Then the next day you can work hours with wet clay in a common family room and not worry about the dust.

      Yoshida Style book suggests keeping a small vacuum and a damp cloth nearby for clean up when working with LaDoll/Premier clay if I'm not mistaken.
       
      #8 mykeangelo, Jan 3, 2014
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    9. I want to thank fellow The Joint members, kwmelvin, Irandom, Lilith, and mykeangelo for responding to my post on safety concerns and giving me the encouragement and support I needed to get on with my new endeavor. Hopefully, I will be able to start a WIP very soon.I will make good use of all your suggestions and even came up with what I thought was a new "invention" myself. I figured out how to make a "sanding, cutting, and carving box." I went out and bought a firm, plastic storage box (15"x10"x6") with a clamping shut tightly lid. I will cut two 4-5 inch holes either in the front or in the ends of the box. At the medical supply store I will buy several pair of those white plastic or latex gloves that doctors wear and make sure they are the long kind that go up your arm. Then I will tape the opening of the gloves to the hole openings. I will have to make a small opening somewhere with a tight closure, in order to put in and remove my pieces of the doll in the box, as well as sanding paper, rifflers, rasp, and files. Hopefully, I will be able to just put my hands in the gloves and work on the dry or sanding sessions of work with my doll without spreading dust all over the place. I can empty the dust into a bag from the bottom when finished. Of course, I will still wear my goggles, respirator, and be in a separate room only when small people aren't here. I thought this was a new invention of my own until I Googled it. There were images of people sanding boxes, boxes with grates on the top to catch sand or debris, and two pictures of what I just described with a few differences. Thanks again for your help as I was about ready to put my first try making a BJD on hold. This is such a wonderful forum! I look forward to being a contributing part of it instead of just asking questions!
       
      #9 greymalkin, Jan 5, 2014
      Last edited by a moderator: Jan 5, 2014
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