Linisher Advice Please

Thermite reaction??

I can remember reading about it at the time, and spreading the warning round on a newsletter I was editing.

John,

I remember reading your letter and take due care with my machine!

Neil

Yes, I believe it was a thermite reaction. Aluminum dust mixed with iron oxide dust from previous grindings ignited by the hot sparks from my aggressive grinding of the piece of angle. The fireball only lasted about 1 second but filled the workshop with dense odourless white smoke, and on inspection after getting back from a trip to the local emergency room, the base of the grinder and bench were covered in a white residue and there were globules of steel in the bottom of the grinder. The thermite reaction of aluminum and iron oxide produces white aluminum oxide, molten iron and a very lot of heat.

After the fact I checked the operators manual for any warnings, none, so I wrote to the manufacture ( a well known North American manufacture of machine tools) to tell them what had happened. The reply I got was totally CYA ( American litigation mentality???) . But I have since seen that the operators manuals for these same machines now carry a warning in bold type " Not to be used on metal"

John

Go up to the black band and click on Workshop, then go to tools, then poor mans Linisher.

Ian S C

I just wanted to say a big thank you for everyone's advice about buying a linisher. Mine turned up today and I spent the evening using it in the workshop. All I can say is that I don't know how I coped without it! Actually I do know - lots of filing.

Nick

Edited By Nick T on 01/03/2017 22:02:43