What gives with Cobalt?

[Mcostello]

I would be afraid to put Nersportap on a tap to thread with------ it might make the hole heal up and break the tap. Brings to mind the next OBVIOUS use--------.

[Evan]

You also get needles with 7075 aluminum since it is harder than mild steel.

[lazlo]

Oh god yes. Finish cuts on steel and the little invisible daggers of festering magnetically attracted pain

Same result when you grind weld beads with a carbide bur -- millions of tiny little needles.

[photomankc]

I'd rather deal with the concertina wire swarf from SS than the billion little needles from milling hardened steel. I dont know how many slivers I pulled out after doing the retrofit on my mill.

Oh god yes. Finish cuts on steel and the little invisible daggers of festering magnetically attracted pain that it makes are one of the reasons I don't get too excited about milling steel. My magnetic measurement tools all seem to be purpose built to deliver those into my hands.

[Abner]

Ditto the Epsom salts, salt water, HP and then - neosporin(sp?) seems to work wonders. Don't take finger infections lightly- lots of important, small, moving 'stuff' in them.

[goose]

No hand soap and first aid kit available? Saliva - the best antibiotic in the world. Then wrap it with a clean piece of tape.

[Ian B]

I can understand this being really worrying for you. But don't be too concerned, the blood on the milling cutter probably won't harm it too much. Just wipe the excess blood off the cutting edges, rinse with some fresh cutting fluid, and all will be fine.

Ian

[rakort]

BTW, water grows bugs, oil doesn't

[rakort]

i'm with tdmidget, get your affairs in order, NOW

[macona]

I'd rather deal with the concertina wire swarf from SS than the billion little needles from milling hardened steel. I dont know how many slivers I pulled out after doing the retrofit on my mill.

[Evan]

I hate SS swarf. I like machining the stuff but the swarf is bloody dangerous. Handling it with bare hands is a guaranteed way to get a good slice.

[MickeyD]

I ran 304 stainless all day today (do it about once a month) and like always ended up with half a dozen little cuts that take a day or two to heal up. My hands are always in coolant and it never seems to cause a problem besides a little stinging and foul language.

[beanbag]

My advice is too late for the OP, but if I ever get a cut in the shop, I immediately go and wash it with soap and water and while under running water, squeeze at the wound to squeeze some blood out to flush out whatever is in there. Then apply disinfectant and bandages as necessary. The important thing IMO is to clean and flush it out asap.

[Arcane]

If I kept a bottle of 96% ethanol in the shop I wouldn't waste it on wounds!

[Black_Moons]

Infections from water based coolants are common place, But how about other peoples experiance with thier oil based coolants? I use rapidtap and it does seem to make wounds heal slower and infect easyer, however it at least does not sting wounds... Likey why its bad, I don't bother cleaning it properly -_-.