[susieq]

Bob, I never take offense easily at anything....there is nothing here to be offended about. We share ideas, experiences and knowledge here. I have always loved the mask and the dust collector but you have more knowledge of research on the size of dust particles that put us at risk.....I need to know this as much as everyone else.

Neither one of these products is cheap so people should find out everything they can about them before spending their hard earned cash on them. Thanks for posting the links on here. I plan to go read them next.

As for certain types of dust, I wouldn't even put walnut sawdust in my veggie garden for the soil..... Very carcinagenic (sp?) Causes cancer. Spalted wood of any kind, very bad to inhale the dust....tropical woods, like you say.....extremely bad for you. Power carving opens up a whole new set of risks that people need to take seriously and use the proper precautions.
susieq

[susieq]

Hi Bob,
I read the links you provided and what I got out of it was this:

1. It states that most wood dust particles are smaller than 30 microns....
(how much smaller? 20 microns? 10microns?)

2. It also states that particles smaller than 3 microns are serious threats.

But no where did it state that a majority of wood dust is 3 microns or smaller.... It seems that by putting the first two sets of facts together, they have manufactured the impression that the risk might be higher than it actually is, for folks using both mask AND dust collection system. I wonder if a study has been done to determine the average micron size of wood dust from say sanding? That would be the finest dust generated by power carving. People should not be lulled into a false sense of security and not wear a mask, just because they have a dust collector.

I also know that many many people are in denial about needing any protection at all. Many of the people in my old wood carving group used small Dremels and even the large Foredom without a thought for themselves or the gouge carver sitting next to them. They don't use protection at home either you can bet. These people are a disaster waiting to happen.
susieq

[BobD]

Good questions Susie! I hope my comments didn't discourage people from wearing both!

I agree that sanding dust, especially with fine grit paper, would be the finest dust. I have no way of determining mircon size, and I haven't found any references yet to the size of wood dust...

Personally, I've got my dust collector running, I wear a mask, and I've got a HEPA rated furnace filter attached to a box fan running beside me...

Re: Walnut...I've got a few walnut trees in my yard and I've got to be sure to rip out any seedlings as soon as I find them because even the living trees are toxic to other plants!

Bob

[susieq]

Bob,
I am quite sure that nothing you said would discourage people from using both a mask and a dust collector. I do think that many of the folks listed in those studies (in the links you provided) may have thought that because they were using one or the other, they were safe without using both.

I am sure that what folks get from your posting is that both pieces of safety equipment are highly recommended..... I hope folks new to power carving take the issue seriously. It cannot be stressed enough.
susieq

[James S.]

Always use a good mask such as Dust Be Gone and a good dust collector. The dust will not do your lungs any good at all.

[Kenny_S]

No(cough) the dust(cough) will do (cough) Harmfull(cough, cough) things to (cough,hack,cough) your lungs. Funny eh? No it isn't. It may take a few years or longer to detect, but the damage is already done.
To many great carvers are no longer with us due to no dust protection.
Dust mask, dust collector a must.

[Mottles]

Hi All, I have been following this thread closely. Seems each poster has a different idea about dust collection. I'm looking for a dust collector as others of you are too. I currently use a MSA Safety Works Respirator with the disc filters on each side (Home Depot)and run my shop vac to suck up the wood dust. As for the vac I feel it's probably better than nothing until I can get a proper dust collector.
So far I have researched the Grizzly Bench Top Dual Fan/Dust unit, Penn State Industries portable unit. Razaire Dust Management Systems after reading BobD post about his unit.
I think a collection unit that could be contained in my carving table such as the one Frank Russell uses in his video Fur, Feathers & Fins. The motor, hose and collection bag would be under the enclosed table top. With a hole cut in the table top with a hood and cover for the opening to the hose (Frank uses a racket ball). Hubby thinks he has some ideas too about making one also.
If we come up with something good I'll share the how/to with you all.
I would really appreciate your input about dust collectors and recommendations for which ones you like or own.
Kathy

[James S.]

I have the DC720 portable dust collector, I really like it and it works. I see there is a new one out a little cheaper which is DC725

[Mottles]

Originally Posted by James S.

I have the DC720 portable dust collector, I really like it and it works. I see there is a new one out a little cheaper which is DC725

Hi James, I found your DC720 listed on the Penn State site. Also found additional info on Woodcraft about this unit. Is your unit pretty quiet? How often do you have to change filters? What type of carving do you use your unit for mainly? Have you done any relief carving using your unit?
Kathy

[James S.]

It has a filter you can take out and tap the dust out of it and put it back in and use it. I have had mine about 2 years and on same filter. The noise is not bad, like using afan. I use mine to rough out small pieces and for bird carving. No I have not done any releif carving with it.
Jim