Thread: G'day, gotta get the MDF dust outta here

Welcome aboard Rob.

As somebody who recently made the switch from a 1hp to a 2hp dust collector I can say there is definitely a big and useful difference between the suck power of the two.

There are many threads on here about dust collection and particularly the bad things about MDF dust. If you can put the dust collector outside while operating that will help, otherwise the pleated filters or a properly sized cyclone extractor are recommended. I suggest you search for threads containing Bill Pentz. Lots of reading.

If you can afford a 2HP I would go for it. I have a 1HP which generally is ok but as soon as I try to run it on longer runs of hose it loses some effectiveness. Also, a 1HP is really only good for one outlet at a time. If you use a Y-connector for a split hose extraction such as on a router table (fence and under router suction) you lose a little there too. Needless to say, I am thinking of upgrading to a 2HP as soon as I find the $ and sort out the space issue .

Hi Rob,
All timber dust is dangerous (MDF happens to be particularly nasty!) and to minimise your risk of being exposed it is advised you look at attacking the dust issue from 3 angles- a good primary dust extractor is an absolute necessity- they come in all sorts of sizes and power (limited by how much you want to spend) but their primary role is to collect lumps and bumps to make cleaning up easier later. They are not designed to remove the most dangerous particle sizes (less than say 20 micron)- the correct tool for this is an air scrubber or filter designed to capture airborne dust. The third area you need to consider is the use of appropriate PPE (dust mask or respirator)- once again they come in all shapes and performance ratings- you need to find one that you are comfortable in for extended periods (the dangerous dust doesn't disappear once the router/sander/saw is switched off!!).
I suggest that if all three areas are catered for you can't do much more to minimise your exposure risk.
regards
Steve Diver

I would suggest the primary job of a dust extractor is to collect all possible debris and dust at the source and prevent it entering the general workshop environment. If you achieve this aim then the next thing is to exhaust that out of the workshop, there is no point in collecting it if you intend to re-circulate some of that collected. No matter how good the filters, some will be re-circulated that is a fact. To do this you have to design and build a system, life ain't meant to be easy. After all that is done you need to either scrub the dust out of the air or change the air at a rate that the dust leaves the workshop, both just about impossible to achieve as both methods leave dust floating in the air to some degree while work is being done. My next workshop is going to have moveable walls which can be opened when needed, that will get rid of the dust.

Ideal would be to have the extractor outside, if that's not possible then a dedicated air filter is a must for MDF

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Ideal would be to have the extractor outside, if that's not possible then a dedicated air filter is a must for MDF

Not necessarily so, the extractor can be inside but the exhaust must exit outside for maximum effect. The big secret is to have the machine hoods effective and to be effective they need to be big. To make the big hood work you need a big air flow which means a big pipe. To drive all this we need a suitable extractor and unfortunately to do it properly requires a major investment which is usually the sticking point with most people for very good reasons. We usually attack the dust extraction after we have invested all our money in machinery when it is the first thing we should buy. BTW I am no different in this regard to anyone else and have been kicking myself for years because I didn't do it first.

That's what i meant. Fortunately i dont have issues with dust as i use the work facilities for anything i need - 10hp industrial extraction will just about suck your eyeballs out

Here's my MDF experience.

The 2HP is worth it - but the unit should be outside or put in an air tight enclosure and vented to the outside.