Thread: Improve dust safety questions

Originally Posted by PJM16

I'm looking to upgrade my dust safety in my shed/workshop.
I currently have a 2hp dust extractor that I temporarily connect to the thicknesser and scms when I'm using them. I also open the a front a side to help with airflow, though this isn't greatly effective.
I'm aware they are best moved outside but since we are currently renting, that isn't an option. So do I get a better filter and build an enclosure? Currently it just has the felt bags on it.
If an enclosure is the way to go, what do I need to be aware of?

An enclosure can be as effective as moving a DC outside.
However, the enclosure must still be able to vent to outside - the air and very fine dust has to go somewhere other than back into the shed.
Thus the enclosure has to be truly air tight. This means using sealant on all the joints and a serious rubber seal on the door.
The vented exit has to be bigger than the ducting going into the DC, preferably twice as big or the vent ducting will restrict flow performance.
Ideally the 2HP would be modified so it can use 6" ducting and then the enclosure vent should be twice the cross sectional area of a 6" duct.

A better filter will increase flow slightly but the stock 2HP DC is a seriously throttled machine.
To improve it's performance read the the thread on the generic 2HP Stick in the dust forum.
Unless you do this you will leave too much fine dust behind in the shed and you should wear a mask at all times inside the shed and not just when making dust.
Ideally you any to collect as much dust at the source of the problem and not allow it to build up inside the shed

Are the ceiling mounted air cleaners worthwhile? And what do I need to consider when buying one?

They have their place but are not designed to capture dust at source.
They simply cannot keep up with the dust generated by an SCMS or thicknesser and will take a long time to scrub shed air.
They are really designed to (slowly) remove ALL the dust (not just wood dust)in the shed so that dust free finishes can be applied.
Rather than spend money on such a filter you would be far better off spending it on upgrading the DC.

For sanding, I'm going to build a downdraft table that will also connect to the dust extractor and wondering do I also need a mask (for bigger items)? And what are peoples' opinions on them?

Unless you upgrade the 2HP DC to improve its performance you will always need to wear a mask in the shed.

The keys to coming anywhere near to taming the dust dragon are.

1) Lots of air flow to grab the dust at the source. A stock 2HP DC does not do this. Even when modified its performance is marginal but at least it allows you to.....
2) Use 6" ducting - there's no way 4" ducting can carry the amount of air needed to manage wood dust. There's heaps about this in this forum
3) Machinery has to be modified so that its dust ports are able to utilise the 6" ducting - see associated threads in this forum.

It sounds like you need to spend a bot more time reading the more recent (newer than 2010) threads on the dust forum

Thanks for the feedback Bob,
I have browsed through the threads before, though now that dust extraction improvement is the upcoming workshop project, I'll re-read them closer and take notes.

Good to know that it's well worth upsizing to 6" ducting before I built a bench for the SCMS that used 4" as I've noticed that it really is quite lousy at the moment and I wind up brushing it all down anyway.

Any advice on what masks to use? It feels like buying white paint with the amount of options available

Originally Posted by PJM16

Thanks for the feedback Bob,
I have browsed through the threads before, though now that dust extraction improvement is the upcoming workshop project, I'll re-read them closer and take notes.

There's nothing like a direct involvement to help you focus - especially on what's relevant to you

Good to know that it's well worth upsizing to 6" ducting before I built a bench for the SCMS that used 4" as I've noticed that it really is quite lousy at the moment and I wind up brushing it all down anyway.

SCMS are bears even with a big DC and 6" ducting. I advised our men's shed against permanent location and ducting the SCMS, so it sits in the middle of a long mobile bench and is wheeled outside to be used. There are a couple of successful ductings of SCMS shown on the forum - look at the one by Chris Parks but bear in mind he is using a CLearVue DC

Any advice on what masks to use? It feels like buying white paint with the amount of options available

The filters should be at least P2 rated for wood.
Unfortunately they don't fix all of the problem because excess wood dust can trigger allergies through the eyes and skin.
Only a full head respirator really works for the head but I don't like any of them as they are too claustrophobic and sweaty.
The discomfort and limited protection provided by masks is why I worked real hard on getting my shed to the point where a mask is rarely needed for wood work and for that I do have a Triton full face respirator.
The irony is it appears I have Sarcoidosis which in my case might have been triggered by metal dust.
I did install some metal dust protection in my shed but should have done more.