Charcoal block dust everywhere

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hi All,

I don’t know why after 10 years it all of a sudden is driving me
crazy but I’m on a cleaning binge and have noticed that no matter how
often I clean, every time I use a charcoal block (even the compressed
ones) I have dust everywhere. What do others do to keep your benches
from being covered with this grit.

Betty Belmonte

2 
I don't know why after 10 years it all of a sudden is driving me
crazy but I'm on a cleaning binge and have noticed that no matter 
how often I clean, every time I use a charcoal block (even the 
compressed ones) I have dust everywhere.  What do others do to keep
your  benches from being covered with this grit.

Make yourself a small metal box, any kind ol metal will do.
Aluminum sheet, tin can, brass, etc. It’s a simple folding thing
with open corners, but a bottom and four side walls bent up, so it is
about half the height of your charcoal block. The block is simply
kept in that. it contains the dust that otherwise falls off the
bottom of the block.

Peter

3

Soak your block in a mixture of borax and water for 24 hours, air
dry. This give the block long live and will not crumble.

Works for me.
Have a good day.
Lloyd.

4

Black dust throughout a jewelers work area is usually attributable
to polishing dust and to the carbon that is formed by one’s
acetylene torch. Even if you have a filtered polishing unit the
residue from polishing gold or silver will prevail througout the
work area. It is inconceivable to me that a small block of charcoal
would create enough dust to be a problem.

Ron Mills at Mills Gem
Co. Los Osos Ca.

5

Ron,

Believe me a charcoal block when very dry can generate all sorts of
dust. As posted earlier, soak your block in a water and borax
solution and let dry for several days. Not only does this keep the
dust down but also seems to keep fluxes and other soldering aids
from sticking to the block.

6

Continue from:

It is inconceivable to me that a small block of charcoal would
create enough dust to be a problem.

Ron, I have always used an oxy/propane torch and done all of my
polishing offsite, so I have to disagree with you. I am self-taught
but enjoy producing metal objects that are pleasing to people.

I used charcoal blocks with and without the borax treatment and had
real problems with black dust. The borax treatment helped somewhat.
Since becoming more proficient using my torch and switching to
firebrick the black dust problem is no longer a problem. Perhaps the
improvement in my soldering techniques was responsible, but I think
getting away from using a charcoal block was the real answer.

Yours respectfully,
J. Russell