Dust Questions

Re: Dust Questions

Andy in Raleigh

>A lot of the serious turners will chime in for a powered visor/filter combo that runs at leas a couple of hundred dollars. If I had that to spare (and some day I plan to) I would get one. Health is important. I did some research on options on the cheap and I ended up getting the DustFoe. It is the low end of "real" masks. It has a good sealing mouth/nose mask and small replaceable filters. I can wear glasses with it and they don't fog. I got mine on eBay for less that $15 with a few extra filters. It took some getting used to, but I wear it almost all the time. Yes, some woods will bother you more than others. But rather than finding out which ones they are, I just always strap on the mask to work.

Re: Dust Questions

David Galloway

>My own sense is that dust is an underestimated hazard to turners, particularly in sanding stages. When I began, I was thinking about how to pick up chips and shavings. Since, I have learned that the "evil doers" are the small dust particles that are generated in turning and especially in sanding. Let me recommend www.billpentz.com as an amazing source of info....this from a guy who basically sacrificed his lungs. Don't go cheap on this my friend. What is the cost of a lung?

David galloway

oh yeah...

Andy in Raleigh

>I meant to say also...

I tried some paper and some "sort of cloth like" displosables. I can't believe the government and industry takes those things seriously. Getting a good seal is practically impossible and if you do then the first time you yawn, cough, wipe your brow, move the mask to get a drink or talk on the phone the seal is no good again. You need something that really seals.

I do plan to get a powered respirator someday. It just isn't in the budget right now. So I am not suggesting the DustFoe because I think it is better. I think it filters dust as well, but you have to breathe with a little more effort and it isn't as convenient or comfortable as the the full face models. Those flip up so you can sip your coffee or talk on the phone. If you can afford more, don't go cheap. But if you do go cheap, get something that works.

Spalted Woods!

Dominic Greco in Richboro PA

>Tom,

There is a danger of having an allergic reaction when turning/sanding spalted woods. The coloring evident in Spalted (from the German word "spoiled") wood results from fungus/mold intrusion. Basically, it's beginning to decompose. If you turn woods that's spalted, your throwing minute particles of mold and fungus into the air. Breathing in ANY dust for pronged periods isn't good for you. But there is a 1 in 10 chance that you might have a allergic reaction. This goes DOUBLE for Exotic woods like Bubinga, Lacewood, Ebony, or Coccobolo. Mark Kauder passed along a little saying to me that sums it up nicely. "There are 2 kinds of people out there. Ones who are allergic to Coccobolo, and ones who will be"

You're already on the right track in thinking that a mask will help. Wearing a good quality mask is a good idea. As you've been told, the El-Cheapo masks are next to useless. Dust-B-Gone makes a pretty nice mask. I believe it's washable as well.

I would suggest using a (3) pronged approach to control the dust.

Catch as much dust as possible at the source (before it's thrown into the air). Build or buy yourself a shroud for your DC that can be positioned at your lathe near the work. I made mine out of 4" PVC and an old office chair base (picture attached). You'd be surprised at how much dust something simple like this will catch. When I sand a bowl, I can see the dust being sucked into the shroud (it doesn't get all of it. But it does catch quite a lot).

Build or buy yourself an Air Filter. These will circulate the air in the shop and filter the fine particles out of the air. I believe the Delta I have is rated to to 6 to 8 air changes (completely circulate the air) per hour. These devices are more useful after you've stopped turning/sanding. Many come with a timer you can set. They're meant to catch the dust before it settles, and can be kicked up again when you start working.

And the last one (which you already know about)Use a mask.

Sorry to be so long winded. But dust collection is something I take seriously.

See ya around,

Dominic

Re: Dust Questions

Robert Simmons, Atlanta

>As stated above, dust protection ain't no joke. I have a Jet collector at the lathe and a JDS filter in the ceiling that runs whenever the lights are on. You'd be amazed at the fine dust that it catches. I have a beard, so regular dust masks are a waste of time. I wear a Triton helmet when I'm turning or doing any other jobs that generate dust. Good protection for the face as well as lungs. Good dust gear is as important as any other safety equipment in your shop.

Robert

oh yeah, part II

Andy in Raleigh

>Dom's post reminded me to mention the air cleaner. I have one (yup, even the cheap guy ponied up for one). I have the little round Shop Vac model. They run around $100 or so. Sometimes after I have cleaned up large shavings and vacuumed up what I can, I switch the vacuum hose over to the outflow and blow any remaining dust up into the air while running the air filter. I come back out after a few minutes and do it again. Then I leave the air filter on for an hour or so. I always wear the mask while doing this. This works quite well.

Dust Questions

TomW in SouthJersey

>Thanks for all the replies. I'm now using a decent dust mask and after seeing Dom's post I realized that my lathe is temporarily mounted on the downdraft table I just built. I guess I should turn it on when working on the lathe. DUH.

I'm also looking to put in an exhaust fan. The fumes get fairly strong when I'm staining other woodwork.

Tom