symposium

["Steven Humphrey" <boxjocky@xxxxxxxxx>]

Very sorry Eric if I've made assumptions regarding your
experience. Your first letter did make you sound very
green, but I may have read more into it. My appologies.

It sounds now to me that you are fairly well prepared.
Although some of your questions (it seems to me) should
be things you would learn in the first day of working
with a 30 yr. + master carver.

I'll be happy to offer you a couple of insights.

First with regards to water feed.

Double insulated tools ONLY. But nearly any tool less
than 15 yrs. old will be double insulated. And it will
be clearly marked on the tool. Then, ALWAYS use a Ground
Fault Interupter. These mearures in place, I assure you
are very safe. At this point you may atttach a small
water line in the best way you see fit to direct a small
stream of water onto the leading edge of the blade. Use
duct tape if you have to, or make it fancy if you like.

Even better if you can get water to spray on both sides
of the blade, but that is not really nessisary. You
could attach to a garden hose or whatever but you will
only need a very small stream, steady but not blasting.
If you can't reach water with a hose from your site, a
small pump from almost any hardware store will work.
Less than $40 should buy you a eccelent pump you can
attach to a line and throw in a bucket or tub or
whatever.

This will benifit you in a lot of ways. (oh, by the way,
get yourself a rubber apron or something when your at
the hardware store)  The life of the blade is dramaticly
improved. Much cleaner edges. Smoother cutting. And best
of all NO DUST. Don't be fooled though it makes a lotta
mess, thats where your rubber apron (and boots) come in.
No dust is nice in many regards. And important if your
working in public, near anything. Every car parked on
the block will be coated if you cut close by all day.You
also will not need as much bulky safety equip.

That brings me to my last advice for you, working in
public. Safety, Safety, Safety! Try to anticipate that
people are very curious and interested in what your
doing. And that they have no idea whatsoever what is
dangerous about what you are doing. For example where
they stand while you are cutting is very important. I've
seen blades break up or throw loose a segment more than
a few times (and with more that a few ensueing stiches)
These things happen even to experieced carvers.

Knowing what to look out for is half the battle. Here's
another good one. I don't know what you disposition is
like, personally I'm a little high strung. I've worked
in some very public places and one thing that always
gets me is .... I'll be cuttin away,all suited up.
Glasses, respirator, ear muffs, ect ... workin away in
my own little zone, ya know, deep in thought,
concentrating on the moment, when I'm in the middle of
that critical cut, you know ... the one that's maybe too
close.

When some blasted fool sneakes up behind me and taps me
hard in the shoulder, from behind, then says some dumb
ass thing like ....." Whacha makin !???!!!!". I could
just kill em' but they really have no idea what they may
have done or caused. I always try to bring a friend that
can head off the curious and answer questions when I'm
busy.

I feel bad for being harsh before, so there. That's the
best advice I think I can give you in my lunch break.
Good luck.

Steven Humphrey