HF Dust Collector

["Wild Bad Bob"]

In retro spec, if the shop does not leak in the amount of CFM of air going out, you will pull a negative pressure in the shop only to what is leaking in and what the DC can "pull" without "cavitating" air, in the blower/fan wheel, (just turning and not moving air or only what is coming in, plus what negative pressure it is capable of). Like my dad, sealed/caulked up the whole house that they bought used, went to light a fire at TG in the fire place, no air in, no air out, filled the house with smoke!!! Works great after I told him to crack a window open!!!
JPG, bet you did not think I knew those big words and what they ment!!

[BuckeyeDennis]

BD,
nice observation BUT in a 1 man shop in reality, some fresh air is good, how long is it actually running, when making a few cuts on the TS, BS, planer, jointer? Now doing some routering, or turning may be a bit longer, but better some fresh air return then some wood dust allergy. IMHO

Agreed. I run my exhaust fan anytime the shop air quality is questionable. But that's mostly for chemical fumes. I have yet to have to even clean my HEPA filter, as it is downstream of a vac bag, which is downstream of a cyclone. So filter cost has been a non-issue.

Last winter, I used an old inherited sander on an indoor project, and that sander had no dust port. Nearly choked on the dust, even though I had a vac line positioned nearby. The exhaust fan was completely inadequate. So I ordered a modern sander that I could connect directly to the vacuum line. End of problem.

["Wild Bad Bob"]

BD, I do NO power sanding in an enclosed shop!! Only light/between finish coat hand sanding. 2 reasons the dust is SOOOOOOOOOOOO fine that it would coat and clog your lung tissue like wood paste/putty. My bro was a respiratory therapist B4 becoming a Physicians Asst. I get a 30 minute dissertation every time I talk to him on how the mucus membranes in the nose/throat/lungs work every time we talk and what the consequences are of wood dust in the respiratory system!!! To the point I dont call him much any more!!!

[Gene Howe]

I've read others with your same concern and I'm sure it's valid. However, my shop is heated in the winter and VERY well insulated and I've not noticed any heat loss. There is at least 20' of ducting before it gets to the cyclone/collector and then another 5' to the impeller and out through the wall. I'm guessing any heat in the ducting would have dissipated before it goes outside.
I always have a small sliding window about 1/4 open, anyway, due to the use of a ventless gas heater.
Another consideration: it seldom gets below 20º where I live in N. AZ. Heath probably won't get nearly that low.

Remember that when blowing your dust outdoors, you are blowing a lot of air out along with it. And sucking an equal volume of outside air back into your shop. No problem for an unheated shop.

But if blowing heated air out and sucking freezing air back in, this could get expensive real fast. Ditto if running A/C on a hot day. I try to time my workroom exhaust fan use to coincide with moderate outdoor temps.

["Wild Bad Bob"]

Gene and Dennis,
I have an all electric house, heat/water/stove, we had one of are coldest winter in decades last year, one of the lowest KWH cost in the nation, $.013994, just under 14 cents, my highest bill was $134.00 for one month, Feb I think, maybe Jan, the rest were about 100.00+/- 10.00 for a couple each way and B4 and after declined more. I have no problem with some outside air. I am a licensed home inspector, with all the plastics/synthetics in a house emitting there fumes, and the "envelope" houses in the early 80's, that ended up moldy do to excess moister, allergies due to no internal air exchange, I would gladly pay 10-15$ more for HVAC cost/usage a month!! I even doubt it is that more extra!!

[BuckeyeDennis]

Another consideration: it seldom gets below 20º where I live in N. AZ.

Which would presumably explain why the Ohio State Buckeyes frequently travel to AZ for bowl games. January in Ohio is generally pleasant only when sitting next to a roaring fireplace!

["Wild Bad Bob"]

BD, I agree!!!
January in Ohio is generally pleasant only when sitting next to a roaring fireplace!
But remember, what goes out the same must come in, see my previous post!!! I sleep with a window open in the winter time in my bedroom, and no heat in there, last winter it was 40+* in there, but a water bed, like momma's womb, with fresh air!!!!!!! Living room window open an inch when sitting watching TV in the evening last winter.

[BuckeyeDennis]

Gene and Dennis,
I have an all electric house, heat/water/stove, we had one of are coldest winter in decades last year, one of the lowest KWH cost in the nation, $.013994, just under 14 cents, my highest bill was $134.00 for one month, Feb I think, maybe Jan, the rest were about 100.00+/- 10.00 for a couple each way and B4 and after declined more. I have no problem with some outside air. I am a licensed home inspector, with all the plastics/synthetics in a house emitting there fumes, and the "envelope" houses in the early 80's, that ended up moldy do to excess moister, allergies due to no internal air exchange, I would gladly pay 10-15$ more for HVAC cost/usage a month!! I even doubt it is that more extra!!

Can I send three teenagers to live with you? I promise that they will never use more than 80 gallons per day (each) of hot water for showers, nor generate more than one load each of laundry per day. And none of them are ever grumpy or self-centered. And they never ever use this expression when an adult talks to them.

["Wild Bad Bob"]

OH BD, been there, B4 you put them on the buss, did you bring them up right? Do chores B4 breakfast, and after there home work is done B4 bed time? Or do I have to "train them up"??? Them adolescent young ens can eat you out of your home, not to mention out growing clothes and shoes. AND if females, add 200% to that cost!!!!!!!!! I had hand me downs from 2 older bros, and about 13 cousins, depending on size and age, but my younger sister had all knew!!!

["Wild Bad Bob"]

BD you threw me a curve!!! I went to replenish my hydration glass, thinking of my nest post about air quality in the shop, and heard knocks at the door, 3 Midwestern kids from Americas bread belt!!!
OMG, how a tread can go astray!!! Seen it on other Forums!!
Back to Air Quality, I have a personal philosophy that most of the cancer here, that we see know is the result of above ground nuclear testing in the late 40s early 50s in the west. Yes before I elaborate, there was "cancer" B4 then, the called it consumption, and yes most died of other causes B4 cancer could have killed them. The prevailing wind in the US is west to east, so all that nuclear fall out from above ground testing went east to the major populous areas, affecting all and with longer life spans is causing some of the cancers. Excluded the smokers, and other obvious ones that have been proven what the cause was.
An area of Milwaukee, WI has the highest rate of breast cancer in woman in the nation, lead used in the water supply pipping the 30s-early 60s.