Getting closer to a dust free shop

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JimB

JimB

Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2008
Messages
4,688
Location
West Henrietta, NY, USA.
My 10'x18' shop is in a section of the basement with no windows and no air circulation. Since I now get to spend more time in the shop I decided to make some improvements to my dust collection setup. What I had before was a DC with one hose that I had to move from my large lathe, mini lathe and bandsaw. This could take a couple minutes. You know what that means, sometimes, if just doing one small cut, I wouldn't bother. I also had a small shop vac with a poorly fitting hose for my other tools. Sometimes the hose would fall off right in the middle of what i was doing.

Here's what I did:

I added a "Y", extra hoses and blast gates to my DC. I now have a dedicated hose to my large lathe. I still need to move the second hose from Mini lathe to BS but it now takes seconds, not minutes.

I bought a mid-size shop vac with all the extra hoses and tools for $5 at a garage sale. I connected it to the Dust Deputy (it's amazing) my wife had bought me a couple years ago but I never used because my shop vac didn't work with it. I added correct fittings to my miter saw, oscillating spindle sander and belt/disc sander. I can have any of them connected in seconds.

I bought a really good 10' shop vac hose (another garage sale, $2) . connected it to the dust deputy and it can reach anywhere in the shop for easy cleanup.

Finally, I bought an Air Filtration System from Grizzly at their tent sale. I turn it on when I enter the shop and set the timer for one hour after I leave.

I made these changes in September. It has made a huge difference in the air quality in my shop. It is truly amazing.

So what's next? I'm going to make a small down draft table and I'll figure out how to connect something to my drill press.

Breathing is so much better now:smile:
 
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Well Jim, it sounds like your headed in the right direction with your system already. Only thing I would add is a remote control for your main DC system. I have always found that garage sales, rummage sales, and estate sales have been some of my best buys !! Jim S
 
Jim you are very wise to continue to control dust and improve your work environment. I use a down draft table some times in the winter or else I just do my sanding out doors. The drill press table is the easiest thing to control because it is localized in a center point. I just use my shop vac with a clamp on the hose and clip it close to the work.

The best thing you added was the air cleaner. You will be amazed how much dust that thing will clean up that is in the air that you do not even see. Leaving on after you leave the shop is a good thing. Putting it on as soon as you enter is the other key.

Good luck and work safe.
 
plantman said:
Well Jim, it sounds like your headed in the right direction with your system already. Only thing I would add is a remote control for your main DC system. I have always found that garage sales, rummage sales, and estate sales have been some of my best buys !! Jim S
Click to expand...

I've never considered a remote for the DC because the DC is inside my shop. It is at the center of the long wall so it is equal distance from each tool I connect it to. Since i have a small shop it is only a couple steps to turn it on and off.
 
jttheclockman said:
Jim you are very wise to continue to control dust and improve your work environment. I use a down draft table some times in the winter or else I just do my sanding out doors. The drill press table is the easiest thing to control because it is localized in a center point. I just use my shop vac with a clamp on the hose and clip it close to the work.

The best thing you added was the air cleaner. You will be amazed how much dust that thing will clean up that is in the air that you do not even see. Leaving on after you leave the shop is a good thing. Putting it on as soon as you enter is the other key.

Good luck and work safe.
Click to expand...

John - you are right about the air cleaner. I've been using it since September and I am amazed at how much dust it collects! It is certainly surprising to think all that was invisibly floating in the air all the time. I can feel the difference in the air.

In addition it has eliminated almost all the fine dust that settles on every surface in the shop. As you know, that means I am stirring up less dust when I am in the shop!
 
image.jpgWell, since you asked, here are a few pics of my shop.
 
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Looks like very efficient use of your space. Is that a Drill Doctor on your workbench, and does it work well? I bought a used one but have never used it myself.
 
Rink said:
Looks like very efficient use of your space. Is that a Drill Doctor on your workbench, and does it work well? I bought a used one but have never used it myself.
Click to expand...

I've rearranged things a few times to get more stuff in the shop. The corner unit with tools and the bench that has the drill press and sharpening system are both new. The work bench is big for the shop but I had built that a long time ago before I started turning.

Yes, that's a Drill Doctor. It works fantastic and is very easy to use.
 
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