Sure, huffing xylene is pretty noxious. So is carbon dioxide, public
restrooms, and certain allergenic flowers. Unless you need a bucket of
xylene for a billboard-sized image transfer, you should be fine. And I
smoke while using xylene.
But hey Prisspott, use what works for you.
Mark


--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Lady Hydrangea Prisspott nee
Hedge" wrote:
> Following is a link for the Material Safety Data Sheet for Xylene.
> Note that it vaporises at room temperature and is flamable and
> cannot be extinguished with water. The vapor is irritating to nose
> and throat. Prolonged exposure may cause pulmonary edema. Skin
> cantact causes local defatting of the skin (it breaks down cell
> walls in the dermis and kills them, no it can't be used to remove
> cellulite) which will cause irritation and chaffing. Long term
> exposure may cause CNS disturbance and damage to the liver and
> kidneys. You can protect yourself with ordinary rubber gloves but
> ventilation must be excellent, this means an open window or outside,
> not just in a drafty room. Also use common sense and make sure you
> are not near a source of ignition...like a cigarette or your spouse
> who smokes, or in the kitchen next to your gas stove with a pilot
> light or in your craft area in your basement next to your gas
> furnace.
>
> I missed the begining of this thread but I had been hand drawing
> everything then, the other day I tried the iron transfer method
> using an image copied with a xerographic copier and it worked
> beautifully on the first try and MUCH safer and less messy than
> xylene and it took only 3 min including time to get out the iron and
> board and heat it up. I think I'll use this even with my own hand
> drawn images because I could never get a fine enough line with any
> pens I tried and pencil rubbed off to easily. I would also think
> that iron-on transfer paper would work although I haven't tried
> this.
>
> Here's the link:
> http://www.med-chem.com/MSDS/Xylene-2.htm

I don't think anyone is suggesting that one way is the only way. I for one can not get the Acetone method to work for
me at all. Mayhap by 3 year old toner cartridge is partially to blame. I use the heat method to transfer a
laser printer image (Toner not ink) to the carving medium. IS that the only way? Heck no. IS it the best method?
Each person will determine that. AS with any hobby, some of the tools and items used are not idiot proof and 100%
safe, but that's part of the problem with our society, some people expect that anything someone else tells them will
be 100% safe and they don't need to do any research. (Not that this applies to any person currently a member or any
future members of this mailing list in any way at all!!! (grin))

Remember, the toner that some of us use is environmentally unfriendly, nor is Acetone, the Exacto knives and other
various carving implements are sharp and dangerous, Poison Ivy (The plant, not the letterboxer!) abounds along with a
host of other poisonous plants and critters as well.

Doing any hobby takes common sense. Find what works for you, use common sense and be careful, research any chemicals
you may want to use, weigh the risks vs the benefits, become informed and make wise decisions based on facts and
figures, not on what someone who knew someone's brother who's friend's aunt's brothers' uncle told them! (If you
followed that, then you're better then me and I wrote it! (LOL!!)

You can't wander through life as if you were wrapped in bubble wrap, released from having to make informed decisions,
completely safe from all harm. Ok, you can, but if you do, in my opinion, you deserve what happens to you. (soft
smiles)

Till we meet on the trails!

----------------------------------------------------------------
Steve of Team Rayvenhaus
The National Letterbox Consortium Website
http://www.myndworx.com
"We leave nothing but an image to mark our passing."
Carpe Arcanum Arco
----------------------------------------------------------------

Vinegar! Plain old household vinegar works just fine for transfers as well. I haven't
used this method myself but a very gifted carver of my acquaintance uses it
frequently. Funhog

The xylene won't kill ya but the smoking will. MARK what are you
doing to that cute bod of yours? :-)
P-MOM


-- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "ndnboxing"
wrote:
> Sure, huffing xylene is pretty noxious. So is carbon dioxide, public
> restrooms, and certain allergenic flowers. Unless you need a bucket
of
> xylene for a billboard-sized image transfer, you should be fine.
And I
> smoke while using xylene.
> But hey Prisspott, use what works for you.
> Mark
>
>

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "psycomommy2003"
wrote:
> The xylene won't kill ya but the smoking will.

Ok folks. Xylene is a toxic chemical. Do I need to get out the MSDS sheets for 'yall
or will ya just give it a rest...?

Citrasolve is just as effective and NOT TOXIC on the brain cells. Trust me, and a
good 'ol fashioned iron (heat transfer) works just fine too.

Phyto-lab-safety-officer-geek