Shopsmith Forums

I, like many, use my SS in the garage. Almost always with the garage door open but with two box fans when it needs to be partially closed. I use a shopvac to collect sawdust but still have a lot that ends up on the floor. I seldom use a face-mask although I have one for chemicals that I use when spraying.

Question 1: Will a dust collector, such as a Dust Deputy limit the dust on the floor or in the air?
Question 2: I only work a few hours each time and then not more than 4-5 times a month. Do I need to wear that face-mask?

db5 wrote:I, like many, use my SS in the garage. Almost always with the garage door open but with two box fans when it needs to be partially closed. I use a shopvac to collect sawdust but still have a lot that ends up on the floor. I seldom use a face-mask although I have one for chemicals that I use when spraying.

Question 1: Will a dust collector, such as a Dust Deputy limit the dust on the floor or in the air?
Question 2: I only work a few hours each time and then not more than 4-5 times a month. Do I need to wear that face-mask?

Dust deputy fer sure(get the kit and use your own bucket). It willbe useful with the shop vac(minimizing emptying/filter change).

Face mask might be overreacting, but a paper filter would be prudent.

As for dust on the floor, that is a DC issue. The less airborn the better.

"Do as I say, not as I do"

I was looking at this page today wondering if it would serve my needs. In my case I would want it inverted or at least side-wise because I want to get my 4" DC hoses up off of the floor.
Is anyone using something like this? I just liked it because it looks simple...
http://www.finewoodworking.com/workshop ... ifold.aspx

robinson46176 wrote: Is anyone using something like this? I just liked it because it looks simple...
http://www.finewoodworking.com/workshop ... ifold.aspx

I don't use anything that complicated - I don't have room. Since I only use one machine at a time I plug a hose into the DC outlet on my ceiling and hook it up to whatever.
I have the 16 feet hose running from the DC over to the hose outlet.
I, too, get a lot of dust in the garage. Since we have street sweeping every other week I use my leaf blower to 'air' out the garage, down the drive and into the street. The shelves are 'aired' on low speed and the rest on high speed.

A dust mask is definitely in order.

The only time I use a full face shield is at the lathe - not too often, but I do have one.

Forrest

JPG wrote:Dust deputy fer sure(get the kit and use your own bucket). It willbe useful with the shop vac(minimizing emptying/filter change).

Face mask might be overreacting, but a paper filter would be prudent.

As for dust on the floor, that is a DC issue. The less airborn the better.

"Do as I say, not as I do"

Some clarification please. Will the Dust Deputy reduce the airborne dust and that dumped on the floor? Two separate questions. Emptying and cleaning the filter is not an issue. And, yes mother, I seldom do as you say or do but need to pay more attention to these respiratory prevention solutions.

On a separate topic: That winter chill in KY hasn't affected the HOT streak of those Wildcats. Will nothing get them to chill out?

db5 wrote:

JPG wrote:Dust deputy fer sure(get the kit and use your own bucket). It willbe useful with the shop vac(minimizing emptying/filter change).

Face mask might be overreacting, but a paper filter would be prudent.

As for dust on the floor, that is a DC issue. The less airborn the better.

"Do as I say, not as I do"

Some clarification please. Will the Dust Deputy reduce the airborne dust and that dumped on the floor? Two separate questions. Emptying and cleaning the filter is not an issue. And, yes mother, I seldom do as you say or do but need to pay more attention to these respiratory prevention solutions.

On a separate topic: That winter chill in KY hasn't affected the HOT streak of those Wildcats. Will nothing get them to chill out?

The dust deputy merely serves as a pre-filter to the DC/vac. More than likely the lighter particles will not be as effectively extracted as the heavier stuff. What is dumped on the floor? How will a DD help that? The DD will reduce the need(frequency) for DC/vac filter changing/cleaning.

Something chilled them in Athens this week. Gotta give the dogs credit since it is due!. Fortunately the heat returned before the final buzzer.

In spite of the snow etc, there will be 25k+ big blue fans there when Fla comes to town.

What is Cal gonna do if none of these guys goes into the NBA draft(again)

I predict we shall meet the dogs again(soon).

A dust collection system will help but it won't eliminate it all. Ditto to Forrest I use an electric leaf blower about once a month. Another item that helps is don't just turn on the dust collection when a tool is running. Leave it running as much as you can while you are working. It will filter out what is floating around in the air. Run it at least 5-10 min after you shut the tools down.
Paul

The "shop-vac" was never intended, or will it ever, eliminate air borne (the most dangerous) dust particles. It is only a vacuum intended to pick up larger particles and chunks of sawdust/trash. Most vacuums, depending on the filter, will simply exhaust what dangerous dust they do pick up back into the air. They are not built for extended use either. The motors will burn out in no time if left on for extended periods. Where as a "dust collector" is made to run continuously for long periods and is intended to pick up the small, air borne particles (again depending on the filter). It has something to do with the fact that a vacuum is rated for it's suction and the DC is rated for cfm or air flow volume. I can't explain the difference between suction and cfm, but I definitely know the difference when it comes to clean air. Oh! By the way. If clean air is your goal I would suggest that you check into an air filtration system as well as having a vacuum and a DC in your shop. I have all three and would recommend every one do the same. SHMBO loves the fact that the dust doesn't follow me into the home.

Couple of suggestions. [I would have posted a picture, but I am having trouble getting it uploaded]. I purchased from one of the big box outlets a HEPA filter unit that I mounted in the rafters of my shop. When I am doing really dust making stuff, like running a router, I will turn it on one of it's three speeds and leave it on for awhile. When I am doing really dusty stuff I also wear my chemical warfare mask that I kept when I retired from the military.

I have a 4" remote control vacuum system with <10 micron bag filter that runs to all of my mechanical tools. I have a 2-1/2" barrel on wheels that ties into the 4" for my Shop Smiths (since most of their hook-ups are 2-1/2". This seems to do a reasonable job, although as noted here the "dangerous" particles are the ones you can't see. However, there are factors in defining "dangerous". Exotic woods tend to be more dangerous than oak, maple, cherry, walnut - your run of the mill (pun intended) American woods. Then too, there is how much you are exposed to dust. I am sure that someone doing dusty stuff everyday for a living is at more risk than most of us in the hobby or part-time category. I am sure someone here may know more about this, but my point is that one size does not fit all. You can spend a lot of money to be "safe", but at what point does it become obsessive and not reasonable in terms of risk prevention?

Primarily, I don't like a dirty/dusty shop. My wife doesn't want me tracking dust through the house. Dusty floors in the shop are a danger in terms of slipping and falling. My system does the job in terms of keeping my shop clean. I don't worry too much about the small stuff I can't see. But when I'm doing really dusty work I turn on the HEPA to boot.

I got the pics uploaded. Below is the HEPA machine in the rafters. Here is my 4" system with the 10 micron bag above. Note the additional trash can to drop catch any metal or other particles the could damage the impellers. I use a remote control 110V plug-in with the button on my apron. Then all you have to throw are the gates.
I guess I should add that I avoid sanding like the plague. This is why I hand plane my work, and scrape it if it needs further tool marks removed. I'm not a purist, but I avoid hand sanding machines as much as possible.