Shop Equipment Custom Dust Collection

[Flinkly]

hey,

so a while ago i remember someone talking about sealing up their table saw and making a custom piece of metal to put inside the base to collect the dust efficiently.  I've tried searching for it but can't think of a good search word to get the post, so i'm doing a callout for people who've done in depth dust collection (more than hooking up pipe) for some of their shop machines.

i'll also take a link to the post i'm talking about if you know where it is.  thanks guys.

[leapinlew]

Theres a good idea....

I cut everything outside. So, I'm pretty limiting to cutting during the day and only if it's good weather.

[Knievel]

I sealed off the end of my table saw and it made a world of difference, nothing settles in the bottom now. I'm sure you could make an insert to funnel it down even more but you shouldn't have to.
This is pretty much what I did..

http://www.woodmagazine.com/wood/search/summary.jhtml?_requestid=208097

[Flinkly]

um...the link doesn't work for me, what was your search word?

[Tahnok]

A magazine I picked up a couple weeks ago had a good tip for limiting tablesaw dust. He was loosing suction through the blade height adjustment slot, making dust collection below what it should have been. The solution was to use a closed cell, adhesive-backed foam sheet, found at a craft store, and cover the entire slot with it. Then, just cut a small line down the center for the adjustment shaft.

[MikeDeuce]

My current technique is a broom and dust pan.

You might want to also try woodnet or some of the other popular woodworking forums. Here's one thread:

Any Ideas for Controlling dust on a Contractor Saw:
http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=2276305&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1

[Xiaou2]

 It may have been one I wrote. 

 Very simple..  just measure the tablesaw stand..  and cut a piece of wood that will fit on it.  Cut a hole in it to fit the hose.   Next, Drill holes for the  bolts to secure it.   

 I believe my hose kit came with adapters that were easily screwed flat into the wood and I sealed with  hot glue.    The hose slides on the adapter and its 'hose clamped' - so can be removed if needed. 

 You could make a simple version by just glueing the hose to the wood insert.

 Then, pop on the tablesaw,  and pop long bolts w/ nuts  thru the tablesaw,  wood insert,  and  tablesaw stand... and tighten.

 Many tablesaws are filled with airholes in thier plasitc bases.   Its best to block them.  I used 'closed cell' foam.. and stuffed it into most places.   For tight spots, I also used thin plastic strips and hot glued them  in place.   

 Once done..   you should feel the suction very nicely from where the blade sits. 

 
 You can get hose kits at Harbor Freight for a fairly good price.
They include splitters with open/close gates so you can use the thing for more than one tool.   Adapters, a good length of hose, and hose clamps.

   Do not try to downsize the hose diameter..  as that will cause greatly reduced collection.  Its not like a vaccume..   it needs an effortless non restrictive flow.   It simply does not generate much pressure...  but does move a ton of air.

 

[Knievel]

um...the link doesn't work for me, what was your search word?

Search 'dust collection' it's the first Story result. Man I hate sites that won't allow direct links.

[DrewKaree]

um...the link doesn't work for me, what was your search word?

http://www.woodmagazine.com/dust collection link Knievel wanted to add

[Maverick]

I seen one where they cut a hole in the plastic guard that covers the blade and epoxied a hose fitting.
Said it made a big difference.

[Howard_Casto]

It should.  Most routers come with a vac exhaust port attachment and it pretty much elimiates all dust when you use it.  And routers are 10 times more dusty than table saws. 

The key is to have a powerful vac.... Immediately after the board is cut the dust goes flying. If a vac is near by the dust gets sucked in once it's airborn but before it can fly all over the room. 

[nostrebor]

For general "don't want to get my garage too dirty" dust collection, Howards's shop vac method is fine. It will not protect your lungs from exposure to fine dust particles.

If you are concerned about the health risks of breathing WW dust, check out this site.

http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/Index.cfm

If you are serious about woodworking, real dust collection is a must. At a minimum, a good quality respirator, with particulate filters is needed.

[Howard_Casto]

I hate to disagree, but that thing is just a glorified Dyson vac with a hepa filter. 

If you are concerned with breathing then use a home vac with a filter and open a window once in a while. 

Trust me, I have severe Asthma, if the dust was THAT bad when using a typical vac then I wouldn't be alive. 

[nostrebor]

I hate to disagree, but that thing is just a glorified Dyson vac with a hepa filter. 

If you are concerned with breathing then use a home vac with a filter and open a window once in a while. 

Trust me, I have severe Asthma, if the dust was THAT bad when using a typical vac then I wouldn't be alive.

So we are supposed to take your word, the word of a layman to things woodworking and dust collection, over the word of an engineer in a field directly related to industrial dust collection technology... and over 20 years of scientific research by many of the industries largest woodworking tool manufacturers... and several university level studies on the dangers of fine particulate dust inhalation.

Not to mention the fact that we are discussing matters of health that involve inhaling carcinogenic materials...

I'ma run out right now and buy a shop vac and get rid of my DC system cause Howard says the engineers and industry experts are stupid.

Edit: can't spell carcinogenic.

[DrewKaree]

I shall help build bridges here

If you are concerned with breathing then use a home vac with a filter and open a window once in a while. 

Addresses and answered (and PROPERLY answered, btw) here (emphasis, mine):

For general "don't want to get my garage too dirty" dust collection, Howards's shop vac method is fine. IT WILL NOT PROTECT YOUR LUNGS FROM EXPOSURE TO FINE DUST PARTICLES.

Trust me, I have severe Asthma, if the dust was THAT bad when using a typical vac then I wouldn't be alive.

Several important points were glossed over in response to what nos has stated.  Again, emphasis, mine:

If you are concerned about the health risks of breathing WW dust, check out this site.

http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/Index.cfm

If you are serious about woodworking, real dust collection is a must. At a minimum, a good quality respirator, with particulate filters is needed.

It's not an instantaneous problem, that's why they're health "risks", not "fatal consequences".  Since you're telling us you have serious asthma, I have no doubt you will readily admit that even with your minimal dust collection efforts, your asthma is still affected. 

I'd like to state that your suggestion IS better than doing nothing, but as nos is pointing out, if you're SERIOUS about woodworking, that suggestion is a "gateway" to real dust collection, and not as effective as real dust collection in conjunction with breathing protection of some sort.

I hate to disagree

  STOP IT!  You're KILLING us here with your jokes! BRILLIANT!

but that thing is just a glorified Dyson vac with a hepa filter. 

In reading that statement, one could take away the idea that you believe your shop vac method is just as effective as the "glorified Dyson".  The CFM and particulate removal of dust collection systems are SO much greater that it isn't a fair comparison of the two methods. There is a reason that such systems are in use, rather than a cadre of shop vacs hooked up to the blast gates at each tool station in a "professional" shop, and it isn't just convenience. 

It's also a chicken/egg thing.  These systems were around long before a Dyson was created.  My guess is that's why Dyson adapted it for a floor vacuum.  In effect, you've stated that it IS the best system, you just haven't realized it yet.

All that being said, there won't be many people here who will EVER take their woodworking to the level where they should look at a cyclonic dust control system, but to pooh pooh qualified, accurate, factual information with a "that's just a glorified Dyson and woodworking dust isn't THAT bad" is as detrimental as the opposite extreme of someone saying "you simply MUST use this system or you're going to die!". 

Nos gave a single link.  If you wish more, I'm sure REAMS of information can be found and provided to back up his assertion of the hazards of particulate matter in woodworking, the effects of it, and the increasing degrees of removal of such matter by various means. Your shop vac suggestion will be on the lower end of the scale in effectiveness.  Better than nothing, and several lesser methods, but far from being as effective as a "glorified Dyson with a hepa filter".

There's a rather large base of information to back nos up.  This isn't just a matter of opinion and your asthma being the deciding factor. 

[Angry_Radish]

Not really dust COLLECTION, but what I did to keep the dust in the air down, was this:
I picked up a full size furnace fan from a repair shop (free I might add, it was old and HEAVY).
Because it pulls air in from both sides, I built a box with openings on both sides, added casters and slides on each side for standard furnace filters to drop in. After mangling an old metal closet shelf I had laying around for an exhaust grate, I wired it up, and added a switch in the back for power.
Since the fan was meant to change out all the air in a house, it's very powerful, and keeps the air in my garage and basement clear when I'm sawing.
This is the best picture I could find, though if there is any intrest, I can take additional pictures of the inside.

[NinjaEpisode]

Not really dust COLLECTION, but what I did to keep the dust in the air down, was this:
I picked up a full size furnace fan from a repair shop (free I might add, it was old and HEAVY).
Because it pulls air in from both sides, I built a box with openings on both sides, added casters and slides on each side for standard furnace filters to drop in. After mangling an old metal closet shelf I had laying around for an exhaust grate, I wired it up, and added a switch in the back for power.
Since the fan was meant to change out all the air in a house, it's very powerful, and keeps the air in my garage and basement clear when I'm sawing.
This is the best picture I could find, though if there is any intrest, I can take additional pictures of the inside.

Yes, I'm interested.  Perhaps a new thread for this particular project is in order?  PICS please!!!

[nostrebor]

A big thank you to drew for putting my feelings into words much better than I could.

I am in no way suggesting that anyone picking up a saw has to first install a multi-thousand dollar DC system. I am suggesting, and recommending that if we as a collective group of hobbyists are going to delve into things woodworking we must provide safety information if we are aware of a particular danger. I provided a link. An extremely informative one, and in my research, a link that is at the forefront of hobby level dust collection.

I also suggested in my original post that at the very least ALL of us should be wearing a quality particulate mask. That can be a $25 expense at best. WAL-MART paper masks do not do the job here. Get a real fitted mask.

While I strongly disagree with Howards assesment, what he suggests is better than nothing at all. I do think that the suggestion should be taken for what it is... one man's opinion. Unfortunately opinions do not pay hospital bills, nor provide life assurance. If you are new to woodworking, get educated. Read books, study the info available on the internet, get SEVERAL opinions from reputable sources. Then you can decide if chunking a window open satisfies you, or if you would be comfortable with something more.

[ChadTower]

I'm a total occasional amateur newbie.  My workbench is in an enclosed shed with windows and double door.  I make most cuts either outside or if inside I do it with all windows/screens open, a fan blowing out, and the double doors open.  Works as well as I need it to work for both dust and fumes.

[mccoy178]

I just bought a table saw with the shopvac collection plate at the bottom.  Night and day difference.  When routing, I wear a mask and if using the router table, I clamp the shopvac hose right in the vacinity of where the routing is taking place.  That takes care of large amount of the dust, but there is no way to describe the amount of dust that comes from a router.

Oh, and Howard, please stick with the software forum.  I don't tell people how to program.

[Howard_Casto]

Oh, and Howard, please stick with the software forum.  I don't tell people how to program.

Funny how you used the same solution I reccomended and still had to insult me. 

I would be glad to "stay in the software forum" if people in all the other forums games better advice.  Throwing a lot of money at a problem (in the case of an over-kill dust collection system) is never the best method to reccomend unless you are talking to a group of people with too much money on their hands.