Grinder Clean Up in the Shop

D

danefuller

Joined
Aug 17, 2011
Messages
18
Quick question for you guys... What methods do you use to keep the metal dust from getting all over the shop during grinding?

I sweep and use the blower after I'm all done, but I was wondering if someone had a cheap cool way of keeping it all clean before that point. I've used a "grinding water bucket" before and yes it collects quite a bit and I'll keep using it for now as I need the water close by for dipping the blade anyway.

Someone told me to try and use a magnet, but they aren't a knife maker. Any ideas?
 
Someone on here recommended putting a couple of fairly large magnets near the machine....along the path of the belt on the benchtop was suggested. They said it worked well. I've yet to try it, but it's among the many shop idea's I want to try eventually.

For now, I use the bucket 'o water and a cheap 20"x20" box fan with cheap 20"x20" furnace filters as an air filter near the grinder. Seems to work well.
 
Bucket of water, dust collector and a box fan/filter setup.

Dust still gets on things, but not as much.
 
I have magnets inside my gritblast cabinet. Over time I collect huge flowers of powdered steel. Seems like a great idea for a grinder too. Then you can make Woolly Willy toys from the harvest! :cool:
 
Use plastic sheeting over the magnets to keep them clean.
 
Harbor freight welding magnets put inside a zip-lok bag. Just rub the steel dust off with a gloved hand, or turn the bag inside out to dump the metal shavings. Be careful, the shavings made by the grinder are like tiny harpoons.

Buy the magnets when on sale. You can buy five at a time with the sale price. often only $3 each.

I have at least half a dozen on the bench and others sitting where the grit falls. It helps keep steel dust less of a problem. They also make great "bench sweepers" to run across the bench and floor to get stray grit. They don't get non-metallic dust, but the vacuum gets those easily.
 
Thanks guys

I think I've been convinced to get a cheap box fan (it's hot in Texas anyway), and get some magnets.
 
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