Has anyone run across any discussion or better yet, measurements of harmful airborne particulates generated during tumbling/separating brass?
I'm running the tumbler in my basement (next to exercise equipment!) and cannot afford to have lead build up and seepage into the house above.
I've read about people finding fine dust all over their shops/basements when using the dry media and/or open lid tumblers. I've taken some steps to ensure dust is minimized during tumbling. I need to know what else is necessary, including the possibility of just moving everything outside.
There are five actions with potential for airborne contamination:
Pouring soiled media into tumbler
Tumbling
Pouring media and brass into separator
Separation
Pouring media into storage (or back into tumbler for another load)
1.) Pouring soiled media into tumbler
3.) Pouring media and brass into separator
5.) Pouring media into storage (or back into tumbler for another load)
Don't know how to minimize dust here, or even how big of a problem it really is.
2.) Tumbling
I have a Frankford Arsenal tumbler with a solid lid (although not necessarily sealed) and am using the walnut media with DukeInMaine's recipe of mineral spirits and NuFinish. How much will this combination knock down dust?
How often should the mineral spirits and NuFinish be reapplied to keep the dust down?
4.) Separation
I'm pouring into the RCBS rotary media separator. I bought it because of the lid. I've been using my wife's old colander (caught hell for that when she found it missing!) and turning them with my hands. That won't continue!
What are your thoughts?