[TowerTalk] Solvents

[WA2BPE]

Gents,

Suggest being *VERY* careful with which solvents you use.  Some will do much nastier
things to you than merely drying out your skin.  Some are absorbed and may/will cause
disorientation, drunk-like conditions, cause liver and other organ damage; the list is
long. Almost any *may* cause eye damage.  I suggest looking at and reading the MSD
(Material Safety Data) sheets (they are free - by law - even paint at the local hardware
store has MSD sheets which MUST be provided  if asked for) though they are sometimes
difficult to understand and put into perspective.  The biggest problem with MSDS is
understanding the terminology - not simple.  Some solvents are innocuous, some are bad
actors, and some are downright vile  (**don't use carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or benzene
(C6H6) under ANY conditions**).  ...And rubber/plastic gloves aren't a guarantee of
"protection"  Look at the following URLs as a start:

http://www.ilpi.com/msds/
http://msds.pdc.cornell.edu/msdssrch.asp
http://www.msdssearch.com/

There are some that are considerably safer, e.g., "Orange Solv" (and other brands of
citrus oils based solvents) though they usually aren't quite as aggressive or fast.
"Adequate" ventilation (outdoors is best) is essential for *any* of these.  BTW, even
the citrus-based will attack paint if allowed to set long enough.  It is best to spot
try any solvent first to see if things are attacked; better safe than having something
completely ruined.  This is not meant to lecture anyone, but I work in industry where
safety courses are mandatory and while sometimes the warnings appear ridiculous, it is
imperative to know what you are working with.

73,

Tom - WA2BPE

Dale L Martin wrote:

>   Electrical Contact Cleaner will
> > remove the oil but not harm the Windings. Some of these cleaner's could
> > attack the vanish on the winding and then they would short
> > out.... 73's Gene
> > k2qwd
> >
>
> I was wondering about the effects on the varnish, too.
>
> I know there are electric motor repair shops around Houston (and other
> cities, I'm sure--just drier than Houston's).  They must have ways to clean
> the motor windings without affecting the insulation.  Check around your area
> and see.  If they can do it, I'd jump for it...that way, I wouldn't have to
> fool with the Tri-chlor or any other solvents.
>
> 73,
> dale, kg5u
>
> >
>
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