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