Dust Protection

[browders]

I would like to know folks opinions on dust protection. Do any of you wear a mask when scrolling? I don't, but do seem to have a nose full of sawdust when I'm finished. I have a Jet filter that hangs from the ceiling, and must catch some dust because I have to clean the filter regularly. I still seem to suck in a good bit of dust. Wondering what the rest of you do?

[Phantom Scroller]

Jim I'm very surprised to hear you don't wear a mask because it's the fine dust that does the damage and stick to your lungs, get a mask it doesn't matter how many fans you have sucking it away your on top of it and breathing in the fine stuff.

 

Roly

[Huntter2022]

I use a mask. I find when I don't I get a scratchy throat. I have a fan by the saw that collects alot of the dust but still don't get it all

[amazingkevin]

Maybe the nose is to close to the grind stone,thats my problem i wear 450 power glasses to scroll and still need to get closer but can't find stronger glasses .Sometimes when doing very minute scrolling i wear two pairs but the eyes get goo goo when finished,Best air filter system i ever had was sit next to the a.c. intake where a 20" paper pleated filter was inserted .all the fine stuff when there and the heavy all over me and the saw.There was never any dust on anything in the house from the central air so it was doing a jam up job in my book.the a.c. repair places could sell you a squirl cage 110 volt fan and you could make a box to put it in .they are very strong pulling dust from your shop or room .try it you'll like it. TIPS AND TRICKS

Edited December 27, 2013 by amazingkevin

[vykus]

I use a respirator mask. I have asthma and it is essential that I use one. I think I could get away without it for baltic birch but I did some bloodwood without it when I first started and my lungs complained quickly and thats when I got the mask. Now I use it religiously. 

[Dan]

I also use a dust mask and have a fan/filter set up. I thought about getting Delta filter system that mounts to the ceiling but some of the dust particles get caught up in that gravity thing and will fall to the ground. I set my fan/filter next to my saw with the bottom of the fan about 6" below the table and it seems to collect most of the dust. I still have to vacuum after a large project and try to do it daily at a minimum. Before I wore a dust mask, I was happy with just the fan/filter but noticed sometimes I blow my nose and the tissue is black. I figured I was still inhaling some dust, so the mask is worn every time I scroll now.

[oldhudson]

Generally I don't use a dust mask when using a scroll saw. Here's how I try to manage the dust.

 

 

On the left side I have a 12" box fan with a decent furnace filter. On the right side I have a hose connected to my dust collector. Both run all the time when I at the saw.

 

I often wear a 3M dust mask when working in the shop, espcially when sanding (even though I use a downdraft table).

 

Keep in mind I don't scroll nearly as much as some of you folks.

[Ron Johnson]

Hi Jim

 

I highly recommend wearing a dust mask when scrolling at all times especially when cutting exotic woods. Protect your lungs.

[LarryEA]

I have a ceiling mounted fan. A wood chip collector for planer.

A broom and dust pan. No mask, cough, cough.

I do like Berry's fan with furnace filter. I will try that especially

with my table saw.

 

Larry

[Doug]

I strongly agree with all who say to wear a mask.  Any mask is better than none and I suggest a mask that is reasonably comfortable so you will automatically reach for it before you turn the saw on.  The effects of inhaled dust are usually not felt except after months or years (unless there is some which causes allergic or other reactions) and the effects on the lungs are generally irreversible.  You can always Google to find out more information.  Not all folks dragging around oxygen tanks were smokers.  Many of them worked in environments with dust and on a scroll saw you nose is awfully close to the source of the dust.  Set your saw by a window where the sun shines in and see what super fine dust is in the air that you cannot otherwise see.

 

I have below table and above table DC, a fan behind my saw which is blowing away from the saw and thus sucking the fine dust away, and a jet on the ceiling above the saw.  With all of this I still wear a mask but feel comfortable wearing the Vog mask which is a comfortable mask and the first thing I reach for when sitting down to scroll.

[RichieB]

Jim I would not be without my dust mask. I use a Trend Airace mask which is very effective and comfortable. Scroll saw dust is very fine so you need the best protection you can afford and you can't put a price on your health.

Richie

[oldhudson]

I have a ceiling mounted fan. A wood chip collector for planer.

A broom and dust pan. No mask, cough, cough.

I do like Berry's fan with furnace filter. I will try that especially

with my table saw.

 

Larry

I use that little box fan at the scroll saw. I have a 24" with two filters that's my general room collector.

    

 

While I don't use a mask at the scroll saw its because my glasses ALWAYS fog up when I wear a dust mask. I decided it's better to see what I'm doing.

Edited December 27, 2013 by oldhudson

[Phantom Scroller]

Jim I would not be without my dust mask. I use a Trend Airace mask which is very effective and comfortable. Scroll saw dust is very fine so you need the best protection you can afford and you can't put a price on your health.

Richie

Richie I've just check that one out, looks like a good one do you wear glasses and do they steam up, I use a filtered mask myself and some times it make my glasses steam up??

 

Roly

[Phantom Scroller]

I use that little box fan at the scroll saw. I have a 24" with two filters that's my general room collector.

AirCleaner_1776.jpg     AirCleaner_1777.jpg

 

While I don't use a mask at the scroll saw its because my glasses ALWAYS fog up when I wear a dust mask. I decided it's better to see what I'm doing.

Nice fan frame there Larry those box fans are difficult to find here in the UK or I would have had a couple.

 

Roly

[Doug]

Adding some - I have been using the Vog mask for sometime and have been happy with it.  They recently upgraded their product to N99 protection and added an exhale valve.  I bought two for my spouse to give me for Christmas.  On the regular mask I found by just pulling my glasses down a little on the bridge of my nose it could avoid the fogging on exhale and it did not impact vision.  I have not used the new masks except just putting them on during the Christmas celebration but I think the exhale valve will probably eliminate any need for pulling my glasses down.  Web site is

 

http://www.vogmask.com/products/advance-n99-filter-active-carbon-exhale-valve-big-bikes

 

I think I have good DC but no matter how good your DC you are never going to get all of it and there are few things you will do where your nose is closer to the blade and the source of the dust and very few saws which will throw finer and almost invisible dust into the air than a scroll saw.

 

I never want to be someone's invalid but if I am I do not want it to be because I did not reach for my mask when scrolling.

Edited December 27, 2013 by Doug

[amazingkevin]

all great tips .past two and a half years i've been scrolling out doors with a fan blowing acroll the saw away from me.

[amazingkevin]

Oh i forgot ,when i scrolled inside for 5 years i sat next to the a.c. intake and a fan blew dust to it .the room stayed clean dust free with a pleated paper filter in the a.c. intake.When i seen the filter bow in i vacumn cleaned it and good for another month.

[LarryEA]

OK! Stop yelling at me. I'll wear a dust mask.

Also, I want to install a couple of Berry's dust fans.

Just hope my outlets will take the extra load.

If not, then a new wire from the breaker box.

 

Larry

[browders]

Thanks for all the answers. It seems the majority of you folks wear some sort of filter protection. I guess I'll give it a try, although historically I find the masks annoying at best. I realize that in the long term it's in my best interest, I just don't want to avoid scrolling because the mask is too much of a pain. My wife thinks I should start thinking like an adult, to which I reply, "I know I am but what are you?"

[Jim Finn]

I do not ware a mask except when I am blowing the dust out of my workshop.  I have a ceiling mounted air cleaner that does a good job and I sometimes set a fan next to my saw to blow the sawdust across the saw away from me.

[LarryEA]

I want to know what kind of a dust collection system

Gabry Sawyer has and if she wears a dust mask.

(:>)))L)O)L)))))))))))))))))

 

Larry

[amazingkevin]

Good boy Jim were on the same wave length ! lol :thumbs:Just a thought also .the blue washable a.c.fiters you cut to size try pouring flour on top of one and see what comes thru when you move it,Rubbish !!!i'm thinking the same thing with the furnace filters ,but have'nt tryed pouring flour thru them ,but it looks like it will go thru too.Pleated paper filters get 99%.

Edited December 27, 2013 by amazingkevin

[heppnerguy]

I too, do not wear a mask. I am in the process of remdeling my shop and I am going to be putting in a dusk collector. I will try to get it attached to every machine as I use it. I am also going to make a sanding table with the dust collector attachment on it. that should cut down on the amount of sawdust that I will be breathing by a long ways. I will evaluate it when I get things going to see if I feel I need more protection

 

Dick

 heppneguy

[Fish]

I try to always use a dusk mask. It's better than nothing at all I think.

[LarryEA]

Here is a link that might be worth checking...

 

Click here: Dust collection Woodworking Plans and Projects