Woodworker's Journal 1994-18-5, страница 30

battery and get a 10% discount on a new one. We'll definitely see more recycling of products (such as batteries) that contain heavy metals and other environmentally hazardous materials.

Better Bits, Blades, and Cutters

From drill bits to router and shaper bits to saw blades, we can expect refinements to increase cutting performance, durability, and user safety. Look for "quiet" circular saw blades to become even quieter and more widely available, and safety devices, such as anti-kickback blades and router bits, to be commonplace by the year 2000. In terms of performance, expect to see improvements in carbide technology. Freud, for example, has new micro grain carbide formulas under development to increase resistance to mechanical wear, and additives that will make its carbide binder material more resistant to chemical breakdown caused by resins, acids, and glues in wood and wood products.

"The challenge," says George Pozzi at Freud, "is to manufacture very hard carbide with elasticity and chemical resistance." He feels that these qualities will be critical for long blade life as we begin using more manufactured materials such as particle-boards (MDF), plastic laminates, and plywoods in our projects. The goal: sharper, longer-lasting carbide blades and cutters by the year 2000. Pozzi claims that, "quieter (circular saw) blades will not only reduce noise levels but also vibration. This will help blades last longer and improve culling performance."

Tools Can Be "Green" Too

For the uninitiated, "green" in environmental jargon signifies environmentally friendly, low energy consumption, or recyclable products. Too! manufacturers seeking "green" certification will have to rethink tool and package design in addition to offering NiCad recycling.

European countries lead us in this area, too. If you've handled any European Bosch or Mctabo tools, you may have noticed that their various components are coded with numbers. The codes indicate which recycling bin each part should be tossed in when the defunct tool gets returned for dismantling and recycling. Tool designers, more and more, will consider recycling as they design tools. For example, they'll avoid using combined materials, such as metal-and-plastic tool housings, because such parts make separating and recycling difficult. The same holds true for packaging materials, such as plastic "clamshell" packages that presently carry attached paper labels.

Expect to see a similar nationwide program in the U.S. in the future I maybe by the year 2000). Several U.S. tool companies report that they already offer programs to handle these requirements.

Finishing Products Won't Be Left Out

E\en though finishes will be less toxic and we won't be using as many tropical hardwoods, some of which create very noxious saw dust, we'll still need effective respirators to protect us. I don't mean the flimsy fabric dust masks sold at your local hardware store. The well-appointed woodworker of the 21st century will more likely be wearing a powered air-purifying respirator iPAPR). (Note: See the Air-Mate 3 featured in this issue's Shoptest, page 13.) PAPRs pump ambient air through a battery-operated filler unit into a sealed headpiece. You'll find breathing easier through a PAPR system than through the negative-pressure dust-mist respirators. Once you get used to PAPRs, you'll find them much more comfortable to use. The PAPR unit reviewed in this issue (the Air-Mate 3, available from Racal Health and Safety, Inc.) was designed for bearded guys like me, who've had problems getting a tight face seal with conventional dust masks. It also includes an integral hard hat for head protection and a clear shield for face and eye protection. While PAPR respirators still cost a pretty penny (about S320 for the Air-Mate 3). they'll probably become more affordable as the demand increases and as more economical units become available.

Finishes

By the year 2000, we may have no choice but to use water-based paints, stains, sealers, clear finishes, and related finishing products. Because solvent-based paints, varnishes, polvurethanes and lacquers have much higher VOC levels than water-based finishes, you can expect them to go the w ay of the dinosaur. The issue: air pollution and stricter controls on the VOC (volatile organic compound) levels in finishing materials.

At present, VOC levels in finishes fall under the jurisdiction of state and regional air quality control agencies. The strictest laws governing VOC levels have been enacted in the metropolitan regions of California, Arizona. New Jersey, and New-York. For example, the South Coast Air Quality Management District in Southern California has established that VOC levels in clear topcoats (varnishes, lacquers, and polvurethanes) cannot exceed a VOC level of 700 grams per liter after 1 1/94, 550 grams per liter after 1/1/97, and 275 grams per liter after I I 99. Bob Reister at Woodkote believes it will be impossible for most paint and varnish companies to produce finishes that comply with this low VOC level. "Most waterbome finishes don't comply with this standard either", he says. In the San Francisco Bay area, finishes containing high VOC levels cannot be sold in quantities larger than one quart.

continued on page 31

JO Septemher/Ociobcr 1W4

Woodworker's Journal