Knife shop update: Spark arrestor/quench bucket

LIFEasEDDIE

LIFEasEDDIE

Joined
Jan 5, 2015
Messages
33
So after I posted my first thread several people commented on my Dust collector setup. The way I had it configured was a fire hazard! Yikes!

Shawn Hatcher helped me the most. He gave me some plans on how to setup a Spark arrestor/quench bucket. This was my attempt http://youtu.be/BtpchjdtxUI . Let me know what you guys think :)

Thanks!

//Eddie
 
I think you are going to melt the plastic hose and fittings before the bucket. The reducer going into the bucket will accumulate dust and will eventually catch fire.

Place the bucket directly below the grinder and use sheet metal ducting straight down into the bucket. The end of the duct should be about 1" above the water. When you look down into the duct you can see the water in the bucket. Adjust the blast gate until you see the small ripples on the surface of the water. Frequently check the level of the water in the bucket. Grinding for a few hours on a hot day will evaporate the water.

I would move your grinder so the grinding wheel & belt is not above the bench.

Chuck
 
I agree with Chuck. I realize you have put time and money into this project and hate to tell you it won't work but with the risk of fire, I feel the need to give my two cents. Shawn's diagram is spot on... but I think you have applied it improperly. Research what Chuck has said about reducers in the intake line, plastic fittings and configuring your grinder to have clearance under the belt. Having a bunch of folks throw advice at you can be frustrating when you just want to get grinding... but the dangers that have been mentioned are real. The positive side is that you are way ahead of the game just for thinking about dust treatment.:thumbup:
 
Rick Marchand said:
Shawn's diagram is spot on...
Click to expand...

I found that diagram online and saved it to my desktop for future reference. Unfortunately I don't recall where I found it, otherwise I'd credit the person who took the time to share it. I made mine a bit different than that diagram, but the overall concept is the same. I use 4" PVC and arrange it such that it's a straight shot from the dust collector to the spark bucket.
 
Alpha Knife Supply said:
I think you are going to melt the plastic hose and fittings before the bucket. The reducer going into the bucket will accumulate dust and will eventually catch fire.

Place the bucket directly below the grinder and use sheet metal ducting straight down into the bucket. The end of the duct should be about 1" above the water. When you look down into the duct you can see the water in the bucket. Adjust the blast gate until you see the small ripples on the surface of the water. Frequently check the level of the water in the bucket. Grinding for a few hours on a hot day will evaporate the water.

I would move your grinder so the grinding wheel & belt is not above the bench.

Chuck
Click to expand...

Hello Chuck! The friction folder I made was metal and G10 I bought from your website! I'll actually be placing another order shortly :)

Thanks for your input! I'm gonna get this thing right eventually...LoL.
 
Right principle but wrong materials... IE Use correct sized metal for the input like Chuck said. PolyVinylCloride = toxic gas/fire when ignited
You will find even with metal fittings the risk of metal dust particles clumping up = metal fire when enough sparks hit.
Soon as you do some all day grinding sessions check your lines you will be suprised at what is in there.
Here is what I do and it works but I still CLEAN out the lines and collector blower once a week.
1hp jet dust collector with 2.5feet of 4" metal pipe plumbed directly into the collector intake.
Bags removed and a cover over where the top bag was
Blows out the bottom only and is plumbed straight out the of the shop into the dirt
Have melted a number of pipes from metal dust fires and had more than once caught it just because I happened to smell the smoke first
Just trying to save you grief. Had I not been out there and it smoldered and not caught it later bad ending
 
Last edited:
I made this drawing 10 years ago. I cannot believe how fast time passes.

I've used a total of two buckets in ten years. The first bucket melted when I let the water evaporate while grinding titanium and a fire resulted. :eek:

The blast gate I used has a screw to keep the gate from moving after I determine the correct flow.

Eddie, call us when you are ready and we will help you.

SparkQuenchBucket-s.jpg
 
I have two grinders. One is for leather and wood and the other, steel. I was rushing to do a project and just started going at a pinned hickory handle. I must have had the timing just right, because as I sanded away at the wood, I scrubbed the steel pin and "WHOOF!" the entire guard housing flashed into flame. It snuffed out quickly, but I scrambled like hell to make sure it didn't go through the dust collection tubing. I just wanted to push the fact that a collection system is not something you want to get lazy with. Clean it often, don't let the bucket go dry and take every safety concern seriously.

I have often thought that if I only had one grinder it would have dual collection buckets. One for metal and one for wood/micarta/antler. You'd have to switch them out but it would sure make things safer/cleaner, IMO.

My metal grinder has a "Dust Evacuation System" that direct vents outside into a steel barrel. It is a semi-closed air circuit that takes away the fine dust, while the heavy stuff hits the bucket. It probably isn't applicable to your set-up but may give you some ideas...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...r-my-grinder?highlight=dust+evacuation+system
 
Chuck,
I want to thank you for your help and good advise on this topic. Taking your time out to help others is what separates one businessman from another. Kudos!
 
Thanks Chuck. I am just getting my grinder and dust collection set up installed and your diagram and advice are extremely helpful and will help me avoid a lot of trial/error and potentially dangerous situations.

I have a powertec Big Gulp 13" x16" dust hood that I plan to invert to use to channel/catch hopefully the majority of the dust. It has a 4" outlet so I will use 4" round metal ducting from there.

From your experience, how deep do you like the water in the bottom of the bucket and how far above the water do you like the bottom of the inlet duct?

I keep thinking there might be a way to incorporate some magnets to help keep the dust where you want it?
 
And keep in mind that if you are evacuating air flow outside that the air must be replaced.
In the winter, you'll want to be replacing that air from another warm spot in your shop.
If it's replaced with outside cold air - you'll freeze your ass off!
If you're just circulating inside air, you may want a furnace filter in-line somewhere.
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
And keep in mind that if you are evacuating air flow outside that the air must be replaced.
In the winter, you'll want to be replacing that air from another warm spot in your shop.
If it's replaced with outside cold air - you'll freeze your ass off!
If you're just circulating inside air, you may want a furnace filter in-line somewhere.
Click to expand...

Oh ya

I love all those replies from guys in Florida Arizona and California that just blast it outside with a 36" fan behind the grinder.
I wish it was that simple
 
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