Adding a dust collector to the grinder

Status
Not open for further replies.
Spalted said:
That 1st picture is about the scariest thing I have seen on BF (outside of the cove lol) I hope you rethink things
Click to expand...

I'm with you on that one. And when it catches fire, you can replace "scary" with "criminal negligence" if anyone gets hurt.
 
You have 26 total posts and feel like you need you argue with us over something that we are trying to warn you about. Apparently your smarter than some of us who have been making knives for 20+ years. Good luck and when your house burns down you can let us know so we can say we warned you.
 
I'm not arguing with you.
Read back. I said : "But you get a good point, I will keep an eye on this. And start thinking about a water filtration système."

But I like to understand before doing something. When you get argument like like oxygène help steel burning... it make you realize that experience is not always the answer.
Your last point about hot metal stuck in the bag after grinding is a good one that make sense.

So now, what is your suggestions? Like I sais before, I CAN'T vent outside.
 
Tandem,
There are a few good ways to construct spark arrestors. I suggest searching "metal dust collector", "metal dust evacuation".

I'll back these guys up.... don't run your system the way it is set up, now. It is extremely dangerous.
 
bladsmth said:
Argue it as you wish, but that setup shown in the photo WILL catch fire.
If it does when you are grinding, it will be scary and make you cuss as you drag a smoldering and smoking bag of burning metal dust out of your house. If it happens after you leave the shop, you and your family may be standing on the street as the fire department drags it out.....after they put out the house fire.

three feet, six feet, or twenty feet..... sparks need a trap before they enter a vacuum line. The trap should be directly under the belt.
Click to expand...
Sorry my English is not perfect but what do you mean by a trap directly under the belt?
Do some one have exemple?
 
Tandem Expédition;13529250 said:
But I like to understand before doing something. When you get argument like like oxygène help steel burning... it make you realize that experience is not always the answer.
Click to expand...

Man, if you don't understand what oxygen has to do with fire, you need to find a new hobby...
 
OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I took one look at your first picture and broke out in a sweat. Then I wondered whether you will ever grind aluminum there?

You see aluminum dust/powder when combined with iron oxide makes a type of THERMITE. Thermite is a pyrotechnic composition of metal powder fuel and metal oxide. When ignited by heat (a single spark), thermite undergoes an exothermic oxidation-reduction reaction. Most varieties are not explosive but can create brief bursts of high temperature in a small area. Its form of action is similar to that of other fuel-oxidizer mixtures, such as black powder.

So you not only have the potential for a fire that will be very tough to put out but a FAST (i.e. EXPLOSIVE) combination of simple shop debris.

If your home insurer saw this they'd cancel you immediately.

We're trying to save you sir........................LISTEN UP and dismantle that until you have a spark arrestor of some sort built.

Corey "synthesist" Gimbel
 
First off, my only dust collection is a broom and a dustpan. I would like to, at some point, install a system to collect dust and though I live in a rural area on acreage, I don't think venting outside is really the right answer. So the OP's solution is unsafe; I get that. I've done a fair amount of searching and I really don't see much in the way of realistic solutions. Nordfab sells an inline spark arrestor for ducting down to 4" but, it is $714 and there are several installation requirements that may be tough to meet in a small shop. Has anyone built an inline spark arrestor or know of any links to how-to's? Can anyone explain how an inline arrestor without a dropout clears itself of the quenched dust? I searched the suggested phrases and they got me nowhere as far as finding answers for a small knife shop. So, who has some real answers?

Bob
 
Kevin Wilkins said:
Man, if you don't understand what oxygen has to do with fire, you need to find a new hobby...
Click to expand...

I don't know who you are but if you think that stainless steel is flamable, you should find a new hobby.
I understand what oxygen has to do with fire.

Instead of insulting people try to be constructive.
 
Maelstrom78 said:
So it sounds like he could modify his setup to be both safe and effective. Maybe relatively simply?
Click to expand...

Simply, if he finds a spark arresting design that is suited for his workspace and budget.

There are designs that use water buckets is various configurations, those that use air turbulence to snuff sparks and some that combine a bit of both. Once you find one, there is a fair bit of "tuning" involved to get it to work properly. I would also suggest a length of clear hose just after the spark arrestor for a visual inspection of the effectiveness of your design. ANY sparks getting past it is a no-no.

Tandem... I have seen stainless grinder dust burn, first hand.
 
Tandem Expédition;13529250 said:
But I like to understand before doing something...
Click to expand...

In this case, it is very easy to understand. You are doing it wrong.

Tandem Expédition;13529250 said:
... it make you realize that experience is not always the answer...
Click to expand...

99% of the time it is. There are some very experienced makers on here ready to share their hard earned experience with you for free. If you don't change your way of thinking, you will be missing a lot and in this case, put yourself and people around you at risk.
 
synthesist said:
OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I took one look at your first picture and broke out in a sweat. Then I wondered whether you will ever grind aluminum there?

You see aluminum dust/powder when combined with iron oxide makes a type of THERMITE. Thermite is a pyrotechnic composition of metal powder fuel and metal oxide. When ignited by heat (a single spark), thermite undergoes an exothermic oxidation-reduction reaction. Most varieties are not explosive but can create brief bursts of high temperature in a small area. Its form of action is similar to that of other fuel-oxidizer mixtures, such as black powder.

So you not only have the potential for a fire that will be very tough to put out but a FAST (i.e. EXPLOSIVE) combination of simple shop debris.

If your home insurer saw this they'd cancel you immediately.

We're trying to save you sir........................LISTEN UP and dismantle that until you have a spark arrestor of some sort built.

Corey "synthesist" Gimbel
Click to expand...

The only material that I grind is stainless steel and G10. I know that aluminum dust is very dangerous.
I'm listening up but the only thing I read is don't do that with no solution. We are on a knife maker forum. I suppose I'm not the only one with a small shop that need to do something with all the dust. Especially with G10.

So I have a question. If I only use the dust collector with the G10. Is it ok? I'm not an osha specialist.
 
Patrice Lemée;13529662 said:
In this case, it is very easy to understand. You are doing it wrong.



99% of the time it is. There are some very experienced makers on here ready to share their hard earned experience with you for free. If you don't change your way of thinking, you will be missing a lot and in this case, put yourself and people around you at risk.
Click to expand...

I'm fully open to get experience from other knife maker. But in my "real life" job, when I share my experience with people, I'm not just saying "you are doing it wrong, search on Google" I take the time to explain why and look for a solution.
 
You can make a dual system to separate G10 from Steel. I would look into "spark quench bucket" there are many threads on this site that have dealt with your issue at length... Recently, too.
 
Some did explain and give solutions (started with Matt in post 5). Some just told you you were doing it wrong because the obvious danger. This is one of the first thing you learn when doing research on dust collection, which I assume you did.
 
I will write this as simple as I can.

G-10 DUST - This dust is highly destructive to health. Dust of epoxy resins is highly sensitizing and is also carcinogenic. ( and G-10 is epoxy-glass laminate)
All Steel DUST - Dust of steel is flammable. Dust of iron/steel is pyrolytic!

Some time ago I have a nice fire in workshop because of steel dust. ( Good thing I had with me a fire extinguisher...)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top