PSA for DIY'ers/MYOG'ers

[Brian]

I'm here to post a story/warning for those who engage in the practice of making your own gear.

Late Feb/Early March are typically some of the driest weeks here on the east coast and probably elsewhere as well. Sinus infection aside, there is another danger lurking around the corner for the gentle hammock maker cutting fabric on his kitchen table or basement floor.

You pull the 40 sq ft of nylon off of the workshop table, or better yet, a full 70 sq feet for that new tarp you're making for the coming months. As you bundle it up into your arms, you slowly begin walking over to your sewing machine.

That metal sewing machine...

...that grounded metal sewing machine...

(If you're squeemish, turn away now).

You sit down and reach to check the bobbin. Your arm reaches for the casing, and then, out of nowhere, you sense it. It's too late.

Two inches away from the machine - you can see the electrons beginning to arc. Again, too late.

For the sake of the ears of the children in the next room, put a humidifyer in your sewing room or ground the static charge you've just built up somewhere when you're expecting it! One of the worst feelings in the world is dropping a pair of scissors on your project when you unknowingly get really badly shocked, putting a hole in your nice new hammock body.

-Brian

[ArcsandSparks]

Don't do that!! LOL I totally get it though...There isn't a worse feeling than taking off your sweatshirt and hearing it crackle as the static snaps away while you pull it off. I have learned a few things about the whole static thing. Growing up in MN and being an electrician (hence the name) I've dealt with the "shock" a lot!! A couple of tips is to not drag your feet across carpet if wearing shoes and sometimes even if not; grounding yourself will help a lot to prevent a shock..but let's be honest, this is inevitable... Sorry to hear your ruined a hammock, but if it's any constellation I am diggin' my deluxe from you..Good luck Brian

[Syb]

I hear ya Brian. In a room above my garage (very dry, no insulation) I've done practice hangs and once I thought it would be a good idea to try a space blanket in the hammock with me. Well, nylon + space blanket + very dry air + several layers of polypro clothing and you get me acting as a lighting bolt moving around in the hammock. When I finally emerged from that room my wife wondered what all that screaming was about. Fortunately nothing was damaged but my ego. Great tips Brian.

[PapaSmurf]

No problem with the electric, but....
As the weather turns frigid here in Ohio. Each piece of fabric I handle in the basement attracts every minute particle of dust, lint & cat hair in my entire house. Makes it look like I live in filth. I've resorted to spraying down each finished project with a water bottle and shaking to release the dirty payload. Then carefully packaging it without letting it touch the floor. With noseeum, it seems darn near impossible to get all the junk off it.

Thinking of just promoting it as "cat down insulated bug nets"

[KerMegan]

perhaps a light misting with "Static-Guard"?
keeps hems from clinging to nylon covered legs; I can vouch for that!
KM

[Ramblinrev]

Fabric softener sheets used as hand wipes do a pretty good job of killing static. Balloon entertainer's trick. Static pops balloons so we wipe our hands down. Works quite well.

[GvilleDave]

Brian - great post! Too funny and too true!

I am also battling the pet hair static factor these days...

[Peter_pan]

True.... After a few hundred shocks a day your fingers will numb to the charge... NOT.... but at least it is not a surprise...

pan

[Knotty]

So true Brian. My basement workshop with foam pad flooring is really bad. I'm always worried that the static might trash a circuit in my Brother electronic sewing machine so I always touch the metal lamp on my sewing table first. Doesn't hurt any less but at least my baby's unharmed.

[Dblcorona]

Yep, my daughter likes to turn the lights off on me to watch the sparks.