dust filtration

[Russianwolf]

Okay, I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow as I have had a sinus/ear canal problem for a couple months. My gut tells me that my dust filtration in the shop just isn't cutting it, I haven't even gone in there for a couple weeks as I don't want to agrivate it further. So I'm looking for solutions.

I was looking around and saw a couple possible products. I know several of you have the airshield and tritons. The one's I was curious about were the $35 Dust Bee Gone ( http://www.dustbeegone.com/dustmask.html ) and the ~$200 AirCap 2 (or the slightly more expensive Aircap 3 Impact if I can find it). http://www.bradwest.com/acatalog/Aircap_3_Impact.html

Does anyone have/use either of these?

For me, If it's not easy to throw on and work with, I won't use it. The Triton is out the window as I got a chance to put one on and I was annoyed by it. The Trend is another possibility, but I'm wondering how it compares to the aircap 3.

edit: by the way, the DC system I have now is a 2hp HF Dc with a dust separator. But it just isn't pulling the fine stuff out of the air. I did have a home-made air filter using a gable fan, but it died recently, and was mediocre at best.

 

[toolcrazy]

Buy a quality dust eater, like a JDS. Mine clears the entire shop in just a few minutes and if I start it running before I sand, it sucks it up before it get too far. Ever since I got mine, I've noticed the dust on my stuff is 75% less than before. I also set it to run 1 or 2 hours after I leave the shop to make sure it picks everything up. I was mixed when I bought it, if it was going to be worth it. But now I'm totally sold and I am glad that I did.

 

[Russianwolf]

If this is causing me to get sick, 75% won't cut it either. I need something that's going to prevent 95-100% of the dust from getting in my nose.

I could care less about the dust on tools and floor.

 

[wdcav1952]

Originally posted by Russianwolf

If this is causing me to get sick, 75% won't cut it either. I need something that's going to prevent 95-100% of the dust from getting in my nose.

I could care less about the dust on tools and floor.

I think you are overlooking the fact that every action in the shop will stir up this dust. You may want to consider the best dust collector you can afford, one of the overhead air cleaners, and perhaps even the "personal" cleaners like the Trend.

 

[sbell111]

I bet that you'll find that upgrading your dust collector (or giving it a good routine cleaning) and positioning an air cleaner closer to your work area will result in your only needing to wear a mask like the Dust Bee Gone. A side benefit is that you'll only need to wear that mask while actually turning or sanding and your shop will stay much cleaner.

 

[GoodTurns]

I use the dust bee gone mask, with an overhead air cleaner and the dust collector vac...I have allergies to just about everything and it seems to do the trick. A full mask/respirator would be better, but I have a touch of claustrophobia as well and can't deal with the enclosure!

 

[Fred]

Mike ...

Here is information I posted earlier about dust control. BTW, good luck with the doctors appointment and for your sake I hope your symptoms are not from dust reactions in the shop. You should also read up on becoming 'sensitized' vs being allergic to wood dust. There IS a mighty big and dangerous difference between the two with becoming sensitized being the worst by far!

Here is a link to an excellent article on a dust control device that is newly released by Powermatic. The information the author writes about is dead on as to why dust control is so very important to anyone working with wood ... especially exotics.

http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/wwj/index.cfm/free.industryinterview

Maybe this will allow you to decide what must be done to protect your health. At the very least the article will tell you a bit more about Air Filtration Systems (AFS).

I have found that adding a hose to the lathe in such a way that dust and debris is collected right at the tools point of contact with the wood has made a MIGHTY BIG difference in the amount of dust getting out into the shop. I venture a guesstimate would be better than 80% is collected by this addition. I know that we can never get it all, but for our health we best try anything and everything we can.

 

[toolcrazy]

Originally posted by Russianwolf

If this is causing me to get sick, 75% won't cut it either. I need something that's going to prevent 95-100% of the dust from getting in my nose.

I could care less about the dust on tools and floor.

I think the only way to prevent it 100% is to get a Trend or a Triton. What I was pointing out was that even dust collectors will not collect it all and will leave dust floating in your shop after you shut it off. And you should care about dust on your tools and floor, because using your tools and walking around in your shop will kick up dust all the same as sanding.

 

[Russianwolf]

Okay let me restate. I beleive in dust control.

I have a good DC system for large stuff, but it obviously isn;t up for the fine stuff. I don't see a benefit in buying a more powerful DC than what I have as the filters won't improve over the 1 micron stuff I already use.

I also agree that a air filter would benefit the shop, which is why I made one. While it wasn't the best, it did an okay job, and I will replace it at some point. But even in shops with a good Air Filter (My buddy's with a JET, and a friend from NC that had a JDS) I have blown my nose afterwards and there was a good amount of dust in there. This is what I'm trying to prevent.

My first priority is to stop the stuff from entering my body, I can worry about the more aesthetic benefits to my shop later. If it means putting a mask on before I walk through the door, that's what I'll do, but I'm looking for something that will be convienent and comfortable or I won't wear it and this will all be moot.

Fred, I read the article and while I agree with the overall intent I disagree with the aurthor's claim that the Dc should be first and the air filter second. I think the personal filter should be first and the others second and third. The reason being that if we can find a good personal filter then the others add to the effectiveness, but when done the other ways you are still breathing dust, less yes, but its still there.