Controlling sanding dust that's not produced by a machine

[LatakiaLover]

We all hand sand as a pipe's final shape is approached, which means just sitting in a chair with the pipe held at reading distance (or closer) and no collector funnel close enough to grab it.

Other than an overpre$$ure hood system like a commercial kitchen has, or setting up a between-your-knees funnel and leaving a fridge-sized collector running for an hour just to catch a few micrograms of powder, I can't think of a solution. I know I'm getting tired of breathing it, though.

Ideas?

[dogcatcher]

I have one of these. http://www.pennstateind.com/store/DC725 ... odpage=1DC

Grizzly Tools used to have one, and there are some others on the market. At carving classes put on by some clubs they are required.

[Sasquatch]

That's essentially what I run as well. What I have is what they call an ambient air cleaner, and if you mount it anywhere near where you are working it will draw basically any of the dust that doesn't immediately settle. The real light fine particulate stuff that floats, it just eats.

[LatakiaLover]

Thanks, guys. I didn't know there were such boxes intended for shop use.

Looks like this is the Queen Mother of home-shop-sized units currently on the market:

http://www.amazon.com/708620B-AFS-1000B ... uctDetails

54 pounds will take a bit of doing to mount, but ya only have to do it once, right?

[scotties22]

Been looking at one of these to mount by my workbench. Figure I really need one since the kids spend so much time in the garage with me.

[The Smoking Yeti]

That's the exact box I'm planning to get after Chicago... if I sell pipes

I'm going to mount mine above where I do all my hand sanding.

[Sasquatch]

Depending on where you sit or how, you can mount those overhead and just run 'em, but if you want them to act a little like a suction table (and that's the other more elaborate option we haven't talked about here) then you can just plop 'em down on the end of the workbench and establish a slow postive airflow away from the user and into the box.

The "real" way to do this is to use the dust collector, and rig a wide flat "air hockey" sort of table with a bunch of holes in it, and work on top of that, with it shrouded/encased and hooked to the D.C.

[oklahoma red]

I'll toss this hat into the ring. I don't know how well one would work for fine dust tho. Most have some sort of activated charcoal pad or cartridge to capture noxious fumes from soldering. I have several of the small bench top units at work but I doubt they would have enough air flo.
In my opinion units like the Jet that are suspended from the ceiling will clean the air in a room but if you want to remove the dust from right where you are working such as in your lap or up against your chest, the suction source is going to have to be up close and personal.

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/2 ... 4FC9DD0685

This is my solution. They are comfortable and cheap compared to an extractor: http://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Clark-47 ... B000JLVBX0

Chas.

[LatakiaLover]

Thank you, Mr. Red.

That robot arm widget is EXACTLY the sort of thing I imagined. Much easier to install than a ceiling-hung box, and much more effective on a point source of dust. And when you're finished just twoink the flexi-tube out of the way 'till next time.

[Massis]

I'm still doubting between some solutions for this in my workshop.

One is to have an extractor table aka a mesh covered hole in my workshop and hook it up to the (yet to buy) dust extractor.

Another is to hook up a suction motor to that extractor table (I've got 2 of them from my father in law's dentist practice)

The last is to take either that suction motor or a dust extractor hose and mount it to the robotic arm I have lying around from that same dentist practice.

Guess I'll just see what works when I finally get round to installing it

[baweaverpipes]

An inexpensive alternative:
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/208397 ... ilter.aspx
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/208397 ... r-Bag.aspx

[pipedreamer]

The one above that fits on a fan is awesome. I have the large one, and it sucks dust I didn't know was there.One time for the hell of it I left it on overnight with another fan to blow around what ever. In the morning I was shocked, must of had a half of pound of dust.

[oklahoma red]

Come on! You're pipe makers! I've made mine out of briar scraps. They get a wonderful patina and last forever.
Make your own!

_________________
Bruce
http://www.baweaverpipes.com

If making your own spot dust collector from briar scraps is not your bag then here's a couple of components that should work:

http://www.amazon.com/VenTech-IF4-Inlin ... B005KMOJPK

http://www.modularhose.com/

Axial exhaust fans are efficient and normally quieter than squirrel-cage blowers.
Make a plywood box, put the fan in the box with a frame ahead of the suction side that will support woven filter media. Attach the modular hose to the outside of the box and viola, you have an elephant-trunk dust sucker.
Hook 4" dryer hose to the output side of the fan and run it anywhere you want.
I have the large Loc-Line set up on my laser in my shop and it is a great product. It's flexible and self supporting for 2 or 3 feet. It's hooked to a Torit extractor with hanging filter bags and a HEPA filter system. You don't want to leave anything loose near the nozzle or it will disappear!



Chas.

[RadDavis]

This reminds me somehow of Tim Robbins' basement in "War of the Worlds".

Rad

[oklahoma red]

This reminds me somehow of Tim Robbins' basement in "War of the Worlds". :lol:Rad

LMFAO!!

Good one Rad!

Chas.

[LatakiaLover]

This reminds me somehow of Tim Robbins' basement in "War of the Worlds".

Indeed. Exactly the same, I'd say, if you allow for the Martians using their "rural design" snake-y eyeball thingies in Oklahoma:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4u7fvhvP2g

[baweaverpipes]

Come on! You're pipe makers! I've made mine out of briar scraps. They get a wonderful patina and last forever.
Make your own!

_________________
Bruce
http://www.baweaverpipes.com

If making your own spot dust collector from briar scraps is not your bag then here's a couple of components that should work:


Chas.

Can't understand why you used that quote. That was in regard to making handles for files. That was silly.

[oklahoma red]

Come on! You're pipe makers! I've made mine out of briar scraps. They get a wonderful patina and last forever.
Make your own!

_________________
Bruce
http://www.baweaverpipes.com

If making your own spot dust collector from briar scraps is not your bag then here's a couple of components that should work:


Chas.

Can't understand why you used that quote. That was in regard to making handles for files. That was silly.

Well of course it was silly. I took it completely out of context for the sole purpose of pulling your leg a bit. I shall not pull your leg again.
Chas.

[BobR]

Has anyone proved that briar dust is hazardous to your health? I just have to question whether a separate air cleaner is really required (beyond a dust collector).

[Massis]

coughing up brown sludge for a few days can't be good for you. ANY dust in your lungs is a health hazard!

I play underwater hockey, and recently noticed after a sanding session in the workshop without decent dust collection, that I couldn't play anymore, because I ran out of breath 10 times as fast as I do normally...