sanding dust collection

Re: sanding dust collection

Eaglesc

>HArbor Freight

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45378

gets good reviews most bang for the buck, upgrade the bags

Re: sanding dust collection

TDaniel

>Shawn, I think the dust problem should be taken much more seriously than many people are taking it. I have a continuous battle with sinus problems now because I did not have a dust collector for years. My advice is to buy a hanging dust filter first and then add a dust collector as soon as possible. The floating dust is the most dangerous although with a good funnel mounted behind the vessel you can catch a lot of sanding dust. Unfortunately, the small particles escape through the filter bag and are back in the air you are breathing unless you convert to a cannister instead of the bag (expensive). You don't have to have it all at one time but start adding each unit as you can afford it.

TD

Re: sanding dust collection

Ron in Drums PA

>I have the DC2v2 and I'm happy with it. What I like about Penn State's products are the 1 micron fliter bags.

Re: sanding dust collection

David Galloway

>My best information on this came from the site www.billpentz.com. He did an anazing amount of research and has concluded that the trick is capturing the .2-.5 micron dust particles, which requires a powerful flow of air as well as excellent filters. Unfortunately, most filters and machines available to us hobbyist are poor and may even lull us into the illusion we are taking care of the problem. Check his site for some other alternatives.

In addition, the Georgia Association of Weodturners had Don Duden at our last meeting. He showed us a system by which he blows free air from outside his shop, into a mask. Don is an amazing inventor and I am sure someone will pick up this idea and run with it. It does what an expensive respirator does with less noise, weight, and expense. Simply put, he takes and engine air filter, cuts two circular discs that fit on either end of the filter and clamps it. He uses a hair drier ( that has the capacity to blow cold air) inside the filtor, so that it is drawing fresh air through the filter, and then blowing out the nozzle that extrudes from one of the discs. a long hose connect this contraption to your face mask..he uses a converted airstream. Placing the filter outside the shop means you are getting fresh air rather that filtered shop air. Pretty slick to me.

I agree with Terry, This dust collection this is a matter of health. I hope we can find affordable ways to protect our lungs.

As I have poste before, the best comment I heard was from Mike Couch of Highland Hardware as I was complaining about the high cost of a Racal mask. His reply was "How much is your lung worth"? Good call.

Solutions?

Shawn - in ID

>Alright, from what I am reading, the best scenario is to have an in-shop system that filters to .2-.5 microns or I am still left with the most harmful particles. That pushes the price range up over $650-$700 (e.g., Oneida 1.5 hp cyclone). I have a small window leading outside from my basement in my shop area. So, is there a better solution by running a duct through the window to an outside collector/filter; specific collector names/models appreciated. Would have to house it for winter. Is this a better solution?

Thanks!!

Re: sanding dust collection

Brad Homman

>Shawn, I have the DC1B, it's adequate but if I were to do it over again I would have bought a stronger collector. I think your idea on putting the collector outside is a good one, the tiny particles blown out of the bag will be out of your work area, in addition, dust collectors create a lot of noise, you will be glad to have it on the other side of a wall.

Nope....

TDaniel

>Now you are blowing your heated air outside in the winter; it would work in the warm months though. An overhead dust filter will cost between $165 and $259. With such a filter and a good 3M dust mask you can get by for a while unless you wear glasses; with the dust mask your glasses will stay fogged up. The fine dust particles float in the air for quite a while after you stop making dust and any little draft will stir them up again; therefore any mask or hood does not take care of the problem because as soon as you take the mask or hood off you are again breathing the floating dust. In my opinion a hanging filter with a washable pre-filter is the best place to start; then add a cannister type dust collector as soon as possible. You can do all this for as little as $525 or you could spend $700 for a better system. I know it is hard to cough up this kind of money but you'll be coughing up even more if you don't do it now.

TD

Re: sanding dust collection

Fog Tanner

>Before I would spend $300 on a bag type collector, I would spend it on a powered respirator like the Triton unit. The bag units do a good job of collecting the larger dust particles that you body can trap, while allowing the harmful sub micron particles to pass through the bag and back into the air you breath. I have both a bag unit and a 2hp Oneida cyclone. I bought the bag unit for doing handsanding in my modle airplane workshop years ago and will never buy another. The Onedia is located in my woodturning "studio" portion of my 32x50ft garage. It has runs to all my dust making tools, including my badsaw and drill press. It gets most of the dust off the lathe, but I still use a Powervisor when turning and am looking at getting an Airstream, Airmate, or Triton.

I spent too many years hand sanding where you are up close and personal with the wood. As a result, I have serious sinus problems. Today is not a good day, in day two of a three day sinus attack. If you are going to do turning in a confined area like a basement, don't scrimp on your lungs. Had we known about the dust situation 20 years ago, I wouldn't have the problems I have today. In 20 years, you would be thinking that $2000 would have been a cheap price for your lungs and health. I know I am, I've lost more than that in sicktime in the last two years alone...