Venting for power carving

[Jerry T]

Yes, I am new to this forum and to carving. I plan to include power carving into my work and I understand how dangerous the wood dust is.
My work bench is located in front of a window and I was wondering if a portable modified vent-a-hood venting to the outside through the window would be sufficient for removing the dust?
Thanks,
Jerry

[cut up]

Welcome to the forum, Jerry.
There is a great deal of friendly people with friendly advise around here.
I do "some" power carving occasionally. I don't know if that will be enough ventilation because a lot will depend on how much air it will move. One thing you have to take into consideration is that the power carver will throw the dust toward you. I always end up with a lap of dust so I wear a shop apron. A dust mask is highly recommended no matter how much ventilation you have, and don't forget to wear leather gloves to protect your hands. That power tool will cut you in a fraction of a second.
I hope this helps.
Happy carving.
Michael

[Scott Hagerty]

I think a squirrel cage fan vented out a window would work great. I would also mount a decent furnace filter or even stack two together in front of the fan to keep from filling the fan with dust.

[Robson Valley]

You have to get _all_ of it. It's the ultra fine fog of particles that do the most damage. I can't afford the heat loss to even sand carvings indoors in the winter. Plus, I discovered a few winters ago, the really fine particles float in the hot air from my downstairs pellet stove, up the stairwell to the main floor and sediment on every surface in the house!!!.

I do cut & shape pieces of shell (clam/scallop/abalone). The tool is spinning in the drill press.
I rigged up a plastic milk jug with the bottom cut out, that's right beside the cutting/shaping tool.
The neck of the milk jug is connected to my ShopVac that has a fine filter bag in it. Grind stones work OK, when they plug up, just touch them with a Lee Valley gum rubber stick. POOF!! Clean as new.

[cut up]

Clever idea with the milk jug, RV.
I'll have to remember not to throw away our milk jug.
Michael

[dogcatcher]

Jerry, I am straight west of you by about 250 miles. The open window with a vent fan will be "okay" for most of our weather. I work in the garage, right at the door, in West Texas we always have wind, usually a lot of it. If I am making wood dust I just move outside and let the wind have at it. The only exception is when it is cold, then I use a dust collector and an air cleaner. And sometimes just take the day off. My other shop is in Ruidoso, NM, I only use the outside deck, and always have a fan blowing across me and my work.

[Robson Valley]

You lucky dogs! 4x4 & chains got me maybe a mile beyond where the snow plow quite up Mountainview logging road with my 454 Burb yesterday. Found a wide-out where loaded logging trucks pass and turned around. Not bumper deep but heavy wet crap.
cut up: I heard that shell dust is bad news. BS. Any extra dust is bad news. The milk jug trick works really well. There is no dust particle on the planet that can out fly my ShopVac.