Another Dust Collection topic

[OCtoolguy]

I know that we have had a ton of discussion on dust collection and recently a few folks have posted pics of what they have designed for their particular saws. For all that, I thank you all because I have picked up a ton of great ideas. But, with that said, I doubt most of us really understand "dust collection" so I thought I'd post this link to a great video that I just came across and watched. I learned a lot  I hope you do too.

 

[jollyred]

Saw that the other day.  Lots of good advise.

Tom

[Rockytime]

I follow Stumpy every so often. Knows a lot of stuff. He makes a lot of sense with DC. However most of what he says is more applicable to those with lots of machinery, lots of space and lots of money. I think most on this site are pretty average and have smaller work areas and pretty much basic equipment for scrolling and are somewhat limited in doing serious woodwork like building furniture and such projects. I have a HF 13 gallon DC. My gates are a tennis ball stuck in the end of the hose. We have a city tennis court next to out back yard and tennis balls fly...well you know, so we collect them. I use a 2.5" flex hose on my mini lathe and router. Scroll saws are just little machines and make a little dust. That's why so many of us just use a vacuum with a Dust Deputy or similar device. Does not take much to pick up small amounts of sawdust. Our tubing or hose runs are short and diameters are small. Nothing is very elaborate but rather quite simple. If it were not I'd just have to stop inhaling. I love these discussions and the ideas you all bring to the table.

[trackman]

I have a piped system for the bigger equipment. With the collection machine behind the wall for sound and space. Small equipment hooked up to shop vac. 

[Rockytime]

That looks perfect.

[BadBob]

I have the same Delta 1hp dust collector that Stumpy shows in the video. Eventually, I learned that if reduce neck down a 4-inch hose to 2.5-inches, it doesn't work as good as my vacuum with a quality filter. I have a good many tools, and none of them have a 4-inch port. The dust collector sits idle most of the time.

[TAIrving]

Thank you Ray, very nice and very informative video.  It does an excellent job of telling us all about the ins and outs of collecting the larger parts of our sawdust.

But I am concerned that it does not address the other part of the issue, the finer particles that go through the vacuum filters and remain airborne. These particles are smaller than 5 microns in size and will go through most filters.  They are hazardous to our health.  I refer you to the article "Wood Dust Safety" https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-dust-safety/ 

This is actually what got me started on this topic, along with the suspected coarse filter in my shop vac.  This in addition to concerns about Wood Allergies and Toxicity, see the article https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/.  

I am now looking at air filtration systems like the Wen 3410 and 3415, which include a 1 micron filter, to control these finer particles.  

In my defense, I told you in my introduction "Newbie from Texas", October 22nd, that I intended to read everything I could find to educate myself about scroll sawing.  

[kmmcrafts]

24 minutes ago, Algae said:

Thank you Ray, very nice and very informative video.  It does an excellent job of telling us all about the ins and outs of collecting the larger parts of our sawdust.

But I am concerned that it does not address the other part of the issue, the finer particles that go through the vacuum filters and remain airborne. These particles are smaller than 5 microns in size and will go through most filters.  They are hazardous to our health.  I refer you to the article "Wood Dust Safety" https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-dust-safety/ 

This is actually what got me started on this topic, along with the suspected coarse filter in my shop vac.  This in addition to concerns about Wood Allergies and Toxicity, see the article https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/.  

I am now looking at air filtration systems like the Wen 3410 and 3415, which include a 1 micron filter, to control these finer particles.  

In my defense, I told you in my introduction "Newbie from Texas", October 22nd, that I intended to read everything I could find to educate myself about scroll sawing.  

I searched a lot of topics about this when I first started 20 years ago too.. You'll find that not many bring up this topic very often.. and what ones do bring it up are the ones trying to research.. it seems most are just worried about the "visible" dust... That said.. I never saw without a mask on... actually never even enter the shop without the mask.. even if I'm not going to work.. that fine dust gets stirred up just opening the door.. any movement.. But.. I do 4 times a year vacuum the whole shop with all the doors and windows open.. I have a old furnace blower I set up in the window to exhaust out any dust that gets stirred up from vacuuming.. and I vac everything. move the desk out vac the wall even the ceiling.. a couple days job about 4 times a year.. 

I really only have to do this now 2 times a year.. maybe not even that much.. since I've started running the box fan, the Grizzly version of the WEN 3410.. etc.. and collecting dust right at the saw.. The biggest dust culprit for me now is my random orbit sander.. This is going to get some dust collection of some sort once the busy holidays are over.. 

Like I've said in the past other postings.. a good vacuum instead of a shop vac.. collecting at the source, ( sander and saws etc. ) a good hanging collection system, a box fan with filter.. Will a person be able to collect 100% ? Probably not.. but as I've also said. any effort is better than no effort at all.. How dangerous is the find dust (I think ) is going to vary from one person to the next.. and also what you're cutting... Cigarettes state right on the package and people still smoke.. I know people that have sawed for many years in a small enclosed room and no mask at all..  

I'm not saying to not worry about the dust.. but any effort you give it is better than no effort at all... and no matter what system you have.. you'll probably never catch 100%..

[OCtoolguy]

I'm going to try to eliminate the corragated hoses anywhere I can and replace them with straight pvc pipe. Only use the hose where necessary. Anything to help the air flow.

[BadBob]

On 11/15/2020 at 2:31 PM, octoolguy said:

I'm going to try to eliminate the corragated hoses anywhere I can and replace them with straight pvc pipe. Only use the hose where necessary. Anything to help the air flow.

There are hoses that are smooth on the inside.

[Fedido]

I hope one day to have a system like this, and the space for it. 

[Rolf]

Thanks Ray, I actually watched that a couple of days ago. Very informative.  My drops from the 4"PVC are flex hose but I keep them as short as possible. 

Our woodworking club has an annual show at a Huge restoration post and beam building.  The scrollers set up three saws for show and tell and make stuff for the kids. At about ten in the morning we get a ray of sunlight that hits our area, that was the first time I really saw how much fine dust is actually generated by our scroll saws. That was when I decided to add dust collection to my saw no more blower. 

Also if you are doing Intarsia or own a drum sander you really need to get serious about A DC system.

This my pneumatic drum sander and the Sandflee to the left. Even with just the 2" hose to the sandflee it works great.

[OCtoolguy]

2 hours ago, Rolf said:

Thanks Ray, I actually watched that a couple of days ago. Very informative.  My drops from the 4"PVC are flex hose but I keep them as short as possible. 

Our woodworking club has an annual show at a Huge restoration post and beam building.  The scrollers set up three saws for show and tell and make stuff for the kids. At about ten in the morning we get a ray of sunlight that hits our area, that was the first time I really saw how much fine dust is actually generated by our scroll saws. That was when I decided to add dust collection to my saw no more blower. 

Also if you are doing Intarsia or own a drum sander you really need to get serious about A DC system.

This my pneumatic drum sander and the Sandflee to the left. Even with just the 2" hose to the sandflee it works great.

OMG! I would love to have that much room.