The more I look into it, the more I think that it must be mass quantities of the stuff that's capable of flash fires. And I've read conflicting info on the effect of one's skin. I think I'll take your word for it, in that you've actually touched the stuff! ha!

What about this one: http://www.axner.com/cmc-powder.aspx ?
Is that a good price per pound?
Assuming from what you said above, there are different quality types?
Can you tell what type of quality this one might be?

Thanks : )

The flash fire info is really only applicable when you  work a lot of it into the air and try to ignite it.  You would basically have to be really working at it for that to happen.

The same thing can happen with flour:  Set a good-sized fan blowing from one corner of the kitchen, have a friend dumping a bag of flour in front of the fan from above, while you wave a burning branch in the middle of the blowing flour.

The same thing will happen with fine sawdust from dry wood, like in a cabinetmaker's workshop.  They advise to attach a special vacuum to the part of the saw or sander where the fine sawdust is spit out, so it isn't hanging in the air where it could be ignited by a spark from the electrical equipment or a cigarette or cigar.

When I work with MC, I open the bag that is sitting in the box, scoop out a measuring teaspoonful, scatter it over a cup of cold water, close the bag and box, and then stir it with a fork.  No fire danger there. 

I've always used my bare hands to make my projects, and have had no problems.  Just don't try to pick up something valuable with it on your hands -- it's slippery stuff!

If you are familiar with Citrucel brand of laxative, that is mostly pure MC except for the orange flavoring.

Methyl Cellulose is usually nothing but highly processed wood fiber or oat straw, turned into an organic polymer.

You can't live without water, but if you drink a really excessive amount, it can literally kill you... look up hyponatremia.  And everyone knows that if you're immersed in a large amount of water and can't swim, you'll die, too.  Nothing is totally safe, esp in extreme excess.

That price is very reasonable, usually it costs around $22-25+ USD for 16 oz.  Just be careful to check the minimum amount you have to buy, and what they're charging for shipping.  Like on eBay, some unscrupulous sellers show a low product price and a high shipping charge.

Sue

I use it for the strip method and in my clay (along with regular PVA). I just mix the heck out of it in hot water. I have no problems with the thickness, in fact sometimes I get it thicker than I expect, but I prefer a thick gel to begin with. I do use it a bit thinner with my clay though.