MINERAL SPIRITS ARE NOT FLAMMABLE. They are combustible - flash point is greater than 100 ° Marc From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Joe DeFazio Sent: March-19-09 2:25 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Polyester Finishing HI William, I hope you are using an air powered buffer if you are using mineral spirits as a lubricant; the fumes created by mineral spirits are highly flammable, and an explosion or fire can be set off by the sparks in an electric motor. While you are buffing, the buffer sits right in the zone with the highest concentration of fumes, emitting tiny sparks dozens or hundreds of times a second. That's one of the main reasons I went ahead and sprung for a 60 gallon compressor, even though my shop is quite small, also. I'm not trying to criticize, just point out the standard advice given in the woodworking field. You are obviously quite committed to quality piano work; we can't afford to see you end up looking like Wile E. Coyote after receiving one of the Road Runner's TNT "returns" (probably yet again from the Acme Corporation). I know that you can "get away" with using mineral spirits as a lubricant with electric tools for some undetermined period of time, but why take the chance? Joe DeFazio Pittsburgh From: William Monroe <bill at a440piano.net> Date: March 18, 2009 10:47:34 PM EDT To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Polyester Finishing Reply-To: pianotech at ptg.org In answer to my own question, if anyone is using these pastes, MINERAL SPIRITS is the wetting agent of choice. Add a little to the tub if it begins to dry out. It also works well for keeping the work surface moist while buffing. I kept a squeeze bottle of spirits right there, squirting a little on occasionally. the slop is messy, but more easily contained for me than dust. For the small shop (read: action balancing and finish repairs in the same room) it works better for me than dealing with all that dust. I curse enough when I buff keytops/capstans/etc. with my buffing wheels. William R. Monroe -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech_ptg.org/attachments/20090319/7188d320/attachment.html>
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