Cleaning the air

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jharvey1309

jharvey1309

Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2008
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136
Location
Holstein, Ontario, Canada.
I've felt like crap over the last week and I think it has something to do with the fact that I have not purchased a air filtration system or a dust control system yet. My chest it full of flem and I keep coughing it up. I'm assuming it's the dust from the PR molds that I've been turning. I wear a dust mask but am thinking that it's not enough.

Is a dust control system more important then a air filtration system or are they both need equally?

My shop is 22 X 17 X 8

Suggestions and recommendations are both welcome
 
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DC gets the big stuff, AF gets the small stuff, dust mask gets the last bit.

I've been running my DC for the big stuff and put a fan blowing against my side to push the small stuff away. Then I bought a dust-be-gone mask and I no longer get splinters when I blow my nose.

At some point I'll add an AF to catch some of the small stuff, but for now I don't have the money.
 
In my opinion, dust collection is more important. The dust collector does get the big stuff. But if it has the right filter, it will get a lot of the fine stuff also. If the dust collector doesn't get it, some of what's left will get to you before it gets to the air filter so wear the best facial protection possible.

Whether you have the air filter or not, Mike's idea of the fan is a good one.
 
I have a cyclone dust collection system and an air filter and the only time I use the air filter is when I'm cleaning my shop or when I'm doing alot of powder coating. I'd definitely get the dust collection first.
 
I went 2 years of making pens (about 2 to 10 a month) and using CA as a finish. Then last year about April/May, my CA tolerance went nearly to zero.

I bought a Triton helmet but it was a pain to take on and off for 10 to 15 minute usage two or three times a night. Last winter, I made a dust collection system and it does well - for what it does. I also mounted a fan overhead and off to the side.

With the fan and DC working together, I would guess that 95 to 98% of the dust were being sucked or blown away from me. HOWEVER, the 2% to 5% usually collects on my hands and that transfers to my clothes and to my nose. I use a face mask most of the time too.

I just finished the PITH pen. I worked on it for about 45 minutes to an hour a night every other day for 2 weeks. At the completion, I found out that my CA tolerance is ZERO. With flu like symptoms also minor but continuous chest pains, Doc say it is severe allergies and my heart is healthy.

A DC system is great and for some it is only the beginning. Gloves, damp towel close by, a face mask and a fan will also aid those who are having problems and do not want to give up the pen turning or CA usage. To me, it is worth it to see a completed pen of beautiful wood. If I did this daily, I would have to give up CA.
 
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i would go with the DC first, then if your budget permits you can add a Filtration system later. A filtration system alone will only pick up the small stuff, leaving all the big stuff (usually anything over 5 micron) floating around in the air and eventually in your lungs. A DC will pick up anything down to 5 microns, or even 1 micron with the proper filtration bag. As mentioned above a fan can aid in keeping the fumes from your face and a good mask or respirator will definitely help.
 
Look into one of these ... Cyclone lid pre-filtration http://www.ptreeusa.com/dustacces.htm#399 Item 401 or 402. I tried the other style and immediately learned that it was not for me.

Placed in the DC collection line, this assembly will catch the majority of the larger debris and allows the duct collection system to collect the finer dust. This lid MUST be used on a metal garbage can for proper sealing to the rim. The metal can is available from the garden center in most home centers like Home Depot/Lowes. Woodcraft and Rockler also have these Cyclone lids. Cost about $60 for both lid and can.

I use one of these on every large debris producing piece of equipment in my shop, the lathes, planer, drill presses, jointer, etc. I found out really quick that it is a lot easier to empty this can than it is to open the dust collector. In fact my dust collector has only been emptied twice in the last year whereas this Cyclone device is emptied every two to three weeks, sometime sooner if the planer has been run at all. It also has one additional hidden feature - it will save the impellers of the dust collector from any damage that could be caused from a larger chunk of wood going through the collection lines. (That can be an expensive replacement too.) Get one of the blades out of whack by an impact and hope that you are standing back ... way back.

As Lee above points out in his post above, becoming sensitized to anything can and does happen. Becoming sensitized is far, far worst than being allergic. The end results can be deadly. Once you become sensitized you only suffer worse reactions to the offending material if you continue to use it. You NEVER get over the sensitivity and in time you cannot tolerate the exposure at all. [Be very careful Lee]

Any dust collector should be located well away from your immediate location - preferbably an outside area if at all possible. Dust collection bags should be able to collect the finest particulate materials down in the micron level. You just can't collect the smallest particulates well enough. If you have really fine dust collecting on your shelves, counter tops, etc., you are not safe over a period of time as your system is leaking badly. Your lungs do a far better job of collection and your body and health will suffer in time.

I believe that the expense of an excellent dust control device AND air filtration system will out weigh the medical bills paid if adequate caution is not exercised at all times.
 
hey jonathan, you can get a decent portable DC system from Delta (i own the AP400) got it for like $120 on sale from lowe's. i still need to buy smaller micron bags for it and that will add a little cost, but well worth it. grizzly sells good filter bags. for air filtration, try to find an old squirrel cage fan (from an old heater or something, craigslist and HVAC shops are good places to check, heck even a junk yard might have one) and build a box around it, leaving one side open for the filters of your choice. i built one for less than $30, including the fan and it moves a ton of air and works great. you can easily get in for quite a bit under $500.
 
jharvey1309 said:
I was hoping $500-1000 for both DC and air filtration if at all possible. But Fred_erick makes a good point that our health is worth a great deal. I'm only 27 and I plan on doing this for many years, Hopefully without getting sick from the dust.

Jonathan
Click to expand...

For that range, you can get a LOT. For the DC get a 2hp or better unit with the highest cfm you can find and cartridge filter. Keep the duct lengths short and it'll pull a lot. Something like this http://www.grizzly.com/products/2-HP-Canister-Dust-Collector/G0548

Then look at the Grizzly Air Cleaner that's a roll around model http://www.grizzly.com/products/Large-Floor-Air-Filter/G0573 , that way you can put it close to the source. If you don't like it look for the highest cfm again that you can find and a .5 micron or better filter.
 
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Jonathan,
I see you are in Canada so don't know if you have Harbor Freight, but they sell a pretty good 2 hp DC - one of those double bags things.. with 1600 cfm power. I think I paid about $170 for mine.
If you keep the DC inside your shop, you'll need finer bags than comes standard. I have my DC installed in a closet outside my shop, so didn't change the bags.
I don't use an air filter, but seriously considering one because as much as the DC pulls out, I still get lots of fine dust floating around. So I also use a box fan to blow as much away from me as possible. I'm finding I have an adverse reaction to some woods, I break out in an itchy rash and a couple of times, my eyes have gotten puffy and swollen.
 
My vote is DC first, Think about it. AF gets the dust after it is already in the air, the same air you are breathing. DC is for while you are working to draw the bad stuff away right where it is made. AF is for running while you are out of the shop. It takes hours for it to do it's job (although an important one) so both systems have there reason to be in the shop. But I still go DC first, I have a $1000 or more in my DC and no AF yet.
 
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