Shopsmith Forums

Last chapter, unless someone wants to go into the specialty chapters. Very short read with a lot of technical stuff. A good table on wood toxicity. Some ideas on permanent installations and other uses. I had not thought of using the DC 3300 for drywall sanding. Makes sense as it would clog a lot less than a shopvac, even with a special insert.
Here's the link: http://www.shopsmith.com/academy/dustcollection/index.htm

So how FULL do you people let your bag get before emptying it?

Also here's an additional list of toxic woods.
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I have had a bag break open so I am now a bit more cautious. I try to change bags before it gets more than about half full.

If the bag is in good condition and I know that there is no treated wood dust/chips and no MDF dust - I use the chips to augment the soil in the back yard. The cactus, mesquite and palo verde seem to like that.

The first time I let it get so full that it wouldn't close. Had to scoop about 10 inches into another bag. Now I only let it get about 2/3 full.

I tended to empty it at about 2/3 full. Then a firefighter friend visited. The guy had a hissy conniption fit (most of you guys aren't old enough to know that one). I have been informed that 1/3 to maybe not quite 1/2 is enough to cause a fire hazard. fjimp

My collector is not a SS. It has a metal strip with an adjustable pull over clamp to hold the bag I have a hard time getting the bag clamped on. If I use a couple loops of tape I almost never get it to stay up. Even then it will sometime get a small gap. the adjustment slots don't seem to be right. #1 is to tight to close and the second will clamp. I can't seem to get both bag and clamp above the lip on the case. Any ideas?

dlbristol wrote:My collector is not a SS. It has a metal strip with an adjustable pull over clamp to hold the bag I have a hard time getting the bag clamped on. If I use a couple loops of tape I almost never get it to stay up. Even then it will sometime get a small gap. the adjustment slots don't seem to be right. #1 is to tight to close and the second will clamp. I can't seem to get both bag and clamp above the lip on the case. Any ideas?

Non SS? A pix would help!;)

fjimp wrote:I tended to empty it at about 2/3 full. Then a firefighter friend visited. The guy had a hissy conniption fit (most of you guys aren't old enough to know that one). I have been informed that 1/3 to maybe not quite 1/2 is enough to cause a fire hazard. fjimp

Hi Jim,
Can you please elaborate? I do knot see how the quantity of sawdust and chips increase the risk. I think a cup of sawdust is just as flamable as 10 gallons. Is he concerned with spontaneous combustion? Or is the decreased relative space between the bags contents and the motor of the dust collector the worry? Or something else? Please ask him and report back!

fjimp wrote:I tended to empty it at about 2/3 full. Then a firefighter friend visited. The guy had a hissy conniption fit (most of you guys aren't old enough to know that one). I have been informed that 1/3 to maybe not quite 1/2 is enough to cause a fire hazard. fjimp

Fjimp, I'd Like to know his reasoning also.

a1gutterman wrote:Hi Jim,
Can you please elaborate? I do knot see how the quantity of sawdust and chips increase the risk. I think a cup of sawdust is just as flamable as 10 gallons. Is he concerned with spontaneous combustion? Or is the decreased relative space between the bags contents and the motor of the dust collector the worry? Or something else? Please ask him and report back!

I doubted the fire fighter and asked questions of other pro's. The answer has less to do with volume of sawdust and more to do with possible mishaps. Example one; I seem to have a bad habit of things getting loose and traveling thru the hose at a high rate of speed thus hitting the motor impeller as odd as this may sound one spark can set off a fire in a tight closed area containing a highly flammable sunstance like sawdust. Example two; the greater volume of sawdust contained in that tight storage container the higher the chance of some other accident could create sufficient increase in heat to start a fire.

Then there is something I learned from a neighbors simple error. This fellow owned a mountain cabin. When he closed it up for the winter he couldn't buy clear plastic to cover all the window opening with. He used black plastic. The result being when he returned in the spring all of the windows were broken and most of the cabin contents destroyed by winter winds and moisture. Same principle heat built up and created an explosive situation. You may doubt if you wish. Me I prefer to protect the my home and shop. I have a large investment to protect. Emptying the sawdust doesn't take long and offers peace of mind. You needn't believe me call your local fire department or visit a mill. Have you ever heard of grain elevator exploding? I know grain and sawdust are different, but are they really??? fjimp