At 02:23 PM 5/23/01 -0400, PMarcum wrote:
>I should have added, after reading Gayle's e-mail, I do wear a mask, gloves
>and glasses when I trim blocks.  I guess I dangerously assume everyone knows
>to wear protection.

I have never worn gloves to trim blocks with (i do very little MMA as I'm
still having a lot of trouble with it, but that's a whole 'nuther story),
but I wear my safety goggles as much as my reading glasses.  Sometimes i
forget I have them on and try to read something... ugh!  *g*  

Connie M

>Pam Marcum
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: PMarcum [mailto:pmarcum@p3.net]
>Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 9:12 AM
>To: Connie McManus; Macke, Gail; Histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
>Subject: RE: GMA Block Trimming
>
>
>I used a Dremel Moto Tool for trimming EM plastics as well as GMA and MMA.
>Same theory put it in a vise and trim carefully.  the Moto Tool allowed me
>to use different types of burrs and small sander type discs to smooth the
>edges. It kept my hands safer.  They are still available and no very
>"improved' according to the manufacturer. I have a bad history trimming hard
>blocks with sharp things.  Pam Marcum
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Connie McManus [mailto:conmac@cc.usu.edu]
>Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 6:24 PM
>To: Macke, Gail; 'Histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
>Subject: Re: GMA Block Trimming
>
>
>At 01:55 PM 5/22/01 -0400, Macke, Gail wrote:
>>Dear Histonetters,
>>      I need help with my GMA block trimming ( please excuse typing as I
>>trimmed 2 of my fingers a little bit, the tips of them).
>
>OUCH!!  Back in the days when I was doing lots of MMA, I faced my blocks
>with a Buehler metalurgical saw.  I then put the blocks in a vice grip and
>trimmed off the excess plastic around the tissue with a coping saw.  I took
>a metal file and filed the edges so they were slightly rounded and clean of
>any hangers-on.   This method does not require kevlar gloves.
>
>Connie McManus
>
>
>
>>The Occupational Health Nurse wants me to find another way
>>of trimming my blocks.
>I use a razor to trim them now. I have cut myself one
>>other time when  I hit an air bubble. I have been doing GmA's since July of
>>1996.  This is how I was shown and the only other way I know about; I've
>>read about.  It is to use is a fine saw.  In reading ,I read that the dust
>>is very bad for you. Is this correct?  My work load of blocks since
>starting
>>is as follows 1996-- 100 blocks, 1997--580 blocks, 1998---980 blocks,
>>1999--1300 blocks, 2000---915 ( my processor broke down in November), and
>so
>>far 2001 I have 610 blocks. I have look at Kevlar gloves but I don't know
>>that I can hold a razor blade and the block stable in the holder with such
>>bulky gloves. Are there any non-bulky Kevlar gloves?  What ways do any of
>>you trim your blocks. Should I stop trimming the 2x15x5mm and just let
>there
>>be whatever vibrations there are upon hitting the glass knife and let it
>>travel thru the whole block?  I still need to trim down the 6x12x5mm to fit
>>my glass knife as it  isn't that big. I have tried sawing in the pass once
>>before and remember the dust being very fine and all over everything and
>>hard to cleanup. As I am the only one in this lab I have no one else to
>ask,
>>so I thought you might be able to help with some ideas.
>>  If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you for any help you
>>can give me.
>>
>>       Gail Macke,HTL
>>        Shriners Hospital for Children: Shriners Burns
>Hospital--Cincinnati,
>>Ohio, USA
>>         Gmacke@Shrinenet.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>Connie McManus
>Veterinary Diagnostics Lab
>Utah State University
>Logan, UT
>USA
>
>
>
Connie McManus
Veterinary Diagnostics Lab
Utah State University
Logan, UT
USA