[DarrellA]

Hi,

Here is a link that takes you to a very informative site on dust control and cyclones http://www.billpentz.com/

The only warning that I will give you is that you will probably spend a couple of hours trying to assimilate all the information. He gives plans on how to build your own system and rates several comercial cyclones on how well they clear up the finds. There are several guys where I work that are thinking of making one of his systems as we have all went throught the extended chest colds for not having our masks on. I have a shopvac hooked up on my bandsaw and if the filter is clean it seems to do a good job.

Darrell

[Callynne]

Darrell, that's exactly how to describe what happened to me before I got my dust collector, it felt like a chest cold! I always wear my dust mask now (even if I do hate it!), I run my dust collector, wear eye protection and ear plugs.

When I use the bandsaw I wear my mask (yes, ear and eye protection too!) and run the shop vac, doesn't do a lot but it helps some. It would be nice to be rich and get a real system for out in the garage and a more extensive one for in my carving room....only that would involve getting a bigger carving room!! Callynne

[AlArchie]

Hey, just had a thought (OUCH). Why not buy a great dust control system FIRST, then build a shop around it? Hmmmmmmmm.......

Al

[wade clark]

Al,
Good idea! My idea is build a shop that has 2 walls opposite each other that are shuttered, the whole walls being fans when the shutters are opened, so the shop becomes a wind tunnel. Put it on gentle blow when you're carving or woodworking, on high when you want to clean the shop at the end of the day. Have it all blow toward the garden.
Wade

[BobD]

Just be careful when you're carving walnut...it is toxic to many plants. You may be killing off your tomatoes <grin>


Bob

[Ashbys]

Figures it would be walnut.

Here's an easy way to test your dust collector . shop vac or what ever your using for effectivness. Get a container of Johnson and Johnson Talcum powder. Put on your dust mask and turn on your dust collector. Pour some of the talc out for the system to suck it up. If it is really ineffective you will have talc in the air. If it is slighlty effective you will have the smell, and if is effective you will have nothing.

The reason for your dust mask is because if your system is ineffective talc is considered a hazard. Inhaled in large enough qualities it can cause suffacation as it will coat the lungs. powder is the same. But it is also one of the smallest powders , safest powders and a quick way to check a system.

Ash