Best Dust Collection For Ferrous Metals?

M

MOBILE1

Joined
Feb 26, 2001
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I'm setting up a dust collection system that will be plumbed to two grinders.Space is at a premium . I'm thinking of getting a small industrial grade vaccum/dust col. and running ducting with shutoffs to each machine. I've heard there is a risk of explosion using certain types of piping. Can anyone explain ??? Also- Does anyone have a source for buffer hoods with an inlet for a dust collection hose??? Any home-made ideas? Thanks , Dave
 
Dust collectors run a fire risk due to the friction of the dust running through plastic ducting. This friction cause static electricity. This static can spark and ignite the high volume of fuel (dust) and air flow to fan it. By using metal ducting and grounding it with copper wire, the risk is cut to zero. Also not sure if this hazard applies to steel dust as it would with wood dust. But it is still best to use metal and to ground it.

You can knock down 90% of dust by placing a bucket of water under the grinder.
 
I tend to agree with Mr. Clark. I would add also for the large main duct, I would use smooth pipe to eliminate bunching of the dust. One of the biggest problems I have in my shop is metal dust bunnies behind the grinder where they have collected in the pipes. These will burn like steel wool if an errant spark gets to them.
 
Don't use white pvc. Static Elec is not your friend.
Use the black sewer pipe or smooth metal.
safest way is to vent it outside into a bucket of water. just hard plumb it and have the exhaust dump above the water.
Don't use anything with a cloth bag for a grinder.
Murpy's law will apply:eek:
 
This is an online supplier of dust equipment for home shops.

Oneida Air sysyems at:http://www.oneida-air.com/

Great tech help in layout and sizing the components. They also sell piping, blast gates, T's, nozzles,...the whole works. I'm pleased with the products that I've received from them.

Sincerely,
Rob Frink
 
I was concerened about all that dust as well. I found a good sized squirel cage fan and made a box to mount it on. I put a good filter on one side of the box for the air to blow out thru. I used duct work I got from Lowes. They had a good selection of sizes and different and angles. I sat the box near my grinder and can rotate the pipe up near the grinder wheel. It sucks pretty darn good, especially micarta dust. I don't use it when I'm profiling out a blade, too much stuff for it to handle. I have another duct under the wheel to catch most of that and I use a fan in the window to exhaust what it doesn't catch. Even with all this it's still a great idea to wear some type of mask. I know of a man here that worked on wood as a hobby for years without any protection. His lungs are now crapped out.
You can usually find one of these fans from someone who works on heating or aircond. systems. They're designed to move air thru a whole house so they do pretty good in this application.
Good luck and let me know if you need anything more.
Robert
 
To anyone running a dust system from a metal grinder, I strongly recommend you keep a large-sized chemical fire extinguisher handy.
From sad experience, metal dust fires can smolder and then catch you unawares. Tough to put out, too.

I like the "bucket below the grinder" collection method and daily cleanup.

One of the masters states on his website that he starts the morning with a contemplative sweepup of his shop, ordering his day....sage advice.
 
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