Thread: Dust size with Arbortech power carving?

I have no idea what micron size the dust is.

However, like you, when I use mine I get 'covered' from head to toe in dust and shavings. It really can't be healthy for the user.

Originally Posted by Xanthorrhoeas

I have just started to try my hand at carving with an Arbortech TURBOPlane and mini-TURBO sander. Lots of fun and I was pretty happy with the result for a first try - a platter in Northern Silky Oak that I laminated together for the practice. BUT I was horrified at the amount of grit I got covered in even though I stood in an open garage doorway with two fans behind me. What I would like to know is whether these machines produce the fine dust that is really dangerous for the lungs?

I have the mini sander and grinder and yes they do make a lot of fine dust.
Anything turning or chipping against wood at 12000 rpm is going to make more fine dust than something doing fewer RPMs.
The volume of dust depends how long you work
The danger in the dust is the same as any other sawdust of the same fineness.

If so, what is the best means to stay safe while using one? I have a full-face respirator but, in 30 degree heat, they are very uncomfortable.

Approx Score out of 10 in terms of effectiveness at reducing fine dust exposure
Outside in still air 1/10
Outside in breezy air or with fans behind operator 5/10
Paper mask type P2 5/10
Full face respirator 7/10

Rather than fans behind the operator it would be better to have fans to the side of the work.
Fans behind you will create turbulence and blow some dust back at you - fans on the side will generate less turrbulence.

A better engineered solution would be to work in something like a large sandblasting type cabinet - with a more open front for easier access - connected to a large dust extractor.

Thanks BobL,

I feared as much. I don't have room for the enclosure approach, especially since I don't plan on this being something that I do a vast amount of - it is just for one project. My current 2 hp Chinese dusty is pretty ineffective. From my reading of your and others writings on these forums I can understand why. It is at least outside the shed and has a modified inlet at about 200 mm but the outlet is still choked down to 125. My ducting is metal and mostly 150 mm after a couple of m of 250 mm. However, the supplier (best leave nameless) choked the ducts down to 100 mm rather than running full length at the 150. After reading these forums it is clear that I'll have to fix that part and modify all my inlet ports on the machines.

I have been talking to Clear-Vue (with difficulty because of his eye operation) about a modified Max system (mod to fit in 2 m height enclosure). Presuming for the moment that I could fit one (and afford one) would a 150 duct to a large bell-mouth intake near the carving connected to a Clear-Vue Max be adequate?

Originally Posted by Xanthorrhoeas

I have been talking to Clear-Vue (with difficulty because of his eye operation) about a modified Max system (mod to fit in 2 m height enclosure). Presuming for the moment that I could fit one (and afford one) would a 150 duct to a large bell-mouth intake near the carving connected to a Clear-Vue Max be adequate?

The idea of the cabinet surround approach is as much to reduce chip scatter as it is to direct airflow for fine dust collection
Along the lines of the SCMS saw "tent" approach for dust collection attached to a 6" DC outlet could work.
What about one of those beach pop-up shade tents?

In fact there's a market - not for a "shade" tent but a clear plastic tent to let light in but to reduce dust scatter - is that a marketing opportunity? )

There may already be something on the market - sold as a portable "glasshouse" made of metal or plastic frame covered in clear plastic. My daughter gave me one some years ago and it is about ready for the bin because the clear plastic has disintegrated. Mine is probably too small at 1400 mm high , 600 wide at the front and 500 deep front to back. The frame is made in rod that fits together so possibly the shape could be different. However, there may be other better shaped portable plastichouses out there. But, I can also see how some hoops over my mobile assembly table (half a sheet of form ply on a frame with castors) could create a temporary tent with clear plastic.

It will have to wait until I sort a new dusty and fix my ducting, but your answers have pointed me in the right direction, thank-you very much.