bandsaw dust

Big_Al · #1 02-10-2005, 02:17 PM

I think I asked this question last but here it goes again. I am building a new shop and I am at a loss trying to figure out where to put the bandsaw. It has to be the dirtiest ( dustiest) tool in the shop. I have a delta and have a shop vac attached to the outlet under the blade but it only seams to collect about 25% of the dust. A lot of dust comes out on the left side of the cover near the table. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Big Al

AlArchie · #2 02-10-2005, 03:00 PM

Al, my shop vac doesn't seem to do a very good job with the bandsaw dust either. However, if I connect my Grizzly dust collector up to the same port, it does a lot better job. More CFM I think, and it makes a big difference. Still get a lot of dust from that saw, but not as much as with the shop vac.

'nudder Al

Hugh · #3 02-10-2005, 03:20 PM

Al, I used Red Greens method of helping this problem. Use duct tape on the seams, and it will help.

Lightningbolt · #4 09-19-2005, 10:45 PM

If I'm not mistaken it was the American Cancer Society who earlier this year added sawdust to their list of cancer causing carcogenics. So now not only should you give up your cigarettes and hamburgers, you gotta give up your daily intake of sawdust!

All of the expensive woodshop vaccum plumbing is ok I suppose and even the poorman's shopvac rig-ups might help some, but I've finally come to the conclusion that just wearing those simple two rubber band type dust masks are the best and most effective protection. I know, most woodworkers just absolutely hate them but like hitching up the seatbelt while driving, I've just gotten in the habit of always slipping on a mask when I have to stir up the dust and you'd be surprised what the naked eye can't see in the shops air space. No vaccum can get it all and the only way that I can avoid those hefty sawdust buggers is by wearing a mask.

I do run my ceiling filter which is suppost to filter all the air in my shop 9-10 times each hour but I'm convinced that a mask is the most effective method of keeping the dust out of my lungs. Like smoking, I guess that it just boils down to a personal choice.

squbrigg · #5 09-20-2005, 05:20 AM

Al....I'm battling with the same problem. I know the solution, but don't have the money to install it. Shop Vac's don't move enough air to do an adaquate job, even the higher end ones with a 2 1/2" hose. We need a perminant fix and that means a proper dust collection system, one of those one or two bag collectors or a cyclone system, plus all the piping. I know I'm going to have to break down eventually, but..... we're talking $$$$ here. As for the dust coming out the front cover, some weatherstripping will cure that, or as Hugh says....duct tape.

The nice thing about a good system, of course, is a dust free shop, and the reduced clean up time , every time you use the saw. You can run pipe to handle your other dust makers: table saw, Foredom, etc, and use blast gates for control. A decent system will run $500 to $1000, up, unfortunately. I've been studying the problem and solution through some woodworking magazines and books, and this appears to be the only "real" or proper solution. Now....if I could only win the lottery!

Bob

Teri Embrey · #6 09-20-2005, 07:06 AM

Finally, after cave-dwelling in Seattle for a year and a half, I'm getting a bandsaw! Actually, a friend of a friend wants to get rid of it so he's giving it to me for $50 - how can I say NO? It comes with a good cover, etc., so I'll be keeping it outside on a covered patio. I'd put it inside, but I'm afraid all the sawdust will get in my ashtrays :-)

Teri

Ron Davidson · #7 09-20-2005, 09:11 AM

The dust collection system I had in my cabinet shop was ideal and I wish I would have kept it. I had installed it in another room so I did not have to listen to it all day. I ran duct work all around the shop with quick connect gates at each machine. I did find that if you are going to do much production cutting all day ,it's better not to shut it off and on schedule your cutting first then shut it down. I found it was cheaper to run solid rather than on and off. I also had it on a remote like a garage door opener easy to carry. It all depend on the size of your shop though and your check book. I would recommend one. Ron

AlArchie · #8 09-20-2005, 09:15 AM

Terri, don't worry about sawdust getting in the ashtrays. Make SURE you get lots of it in the darn things,then when you put your lit cigarette in, the dust will smolder and you have a nice pine scented incense! Or oak or malple, or cedar, or, well, whatever!

Al

decoycarve · #9 09-20-2005, 09:39 AM

I ended up putting $1,500 worth of dust collection in my shop recently. I no longer have a septum in my nose. Was told to get away from the wood dust. The dust that you can't see is actually the one thats the worst for you. Most dust collectors ony filter down to 15 microns. I have bought the expensive 5 micron bags for my setup. The dust collectors pull all the big stuff in, but blows air thru bags back into the room. This air still has fine particles in it that you cant see. It is a good practice to exhaust the air in the room to the outside. A fan in a window blowing out works well. The cieling mounted air cleaners help alot also in a small shop. I have a ribbon tied to the exhaust of mine if it is blowing straight out its working when it begins to droop the filters need to be cleaned.
Another note on dust collectors. Ground them and the equipment they are hooked up to. The moving air in the hoses develop a LOT of static electricity. I have a ground wire pulled thru all the piping of my system and hooked to a water pipe. I have seen (felt) a 6" blue arc form the end of my finger to the saw before I grounded my system. Electrical arc and wood dust are not a good mix plus it hurts like he!! Tip: Easy way to get ground wire in your system. Get the standed stuff from home depot tie it to a sponge go to your farthest port and use your dust collector to suck it thru.
Probably the most usefull thing I have bought is the remote control no more excuses not to turn it on. I clip it to my pocket and I can turn the system on and off from anywhere in the shop.
Even with all this I still wear a cartridge type respirator when I do any more than a quick cut. When I run the table saw or the roughout machine its also a pair of safety glasses and ear plugs. Old man age is trying to slow me down. Im trying not to help him.
Goody

Lightningbolt · #10 09-20-2005, 08:04 PM

quote by decoycarve: "The dust that you can't see is actually the one thats the worst for you. Most dust collectors ony filter down to 15 microns. I have bought the expensive 5 micron bags for my setup. The dust collectors pull all the big stuff in, but blows air thru bags back into the room. This air still has fine particles in it that you cant see... <SNIP>

"Even with all this I still wear a cartridge type respirator when I do any more than a quick cut. When I run the table saw or the roughout machine its also a pair of safety glasses and ear plugs. Old man age is trying to slow me down. Im trying not to help him." <SNIP>

You worded the truth about dust in the woodshop very well here! So many times I have been fooled while running machinery and my eyes can't actually see the tiny particles making up the dangerous cloud of dust that is always present in the shop. What finally made me a believer was when I observed the sharp angle of light produced so uniquely by the early morning sun shining through the window. Oh my gosh! This light let me see what normally couldn't be seen and it was a scary sight.

I too will ALWAYS wear a good dust mask even if I can ever afford a million dollar dust collection system. Anyone who doesn't are still putting their lungs at an unnecessary risk.