Let's talk dust collecting systems for a bit...

Phillip Patton

Phillip Patton

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
5,383
I'm all moved into my new shop, and I want to keep it clean. So, what systems do you guys recommend? As I see it, there are two main types of air handling systems.

1. The type that sucks everything up and blows it outside.

2. The type that sucks everything up and runs it through filters and deposits it in bags.

I like number 1 because who wants do deal with filters? The disadvantage is that in the winter it sucks all the heat out of the building.

I like number 2 because it doesn't suck the heat out, but I'm concerned about sparks from grinding steel destroying the bags and filters. I know you can get "cyclone separators" like they show here:

http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2008/Main/168

Is that good enough to arrest the sparks?

Thanks for your input,
 
Phillip, the biggest problem I have in my shop is the sloooooooooooow accumulation of dust ALL OVER THE PLACE! Not just at my work station, but in all the little nooks and crannies that seem to catch dust and dirt throughout the day and every time I broom clean the shop. Even without doing any grinding or stock removal of materials, I find that when I leave the shop I have this thin layer of dust on my friggin face, my clothes, my shoes, etc. I can see it in the air in the shop! So, I'm breathing it and I haven't even done anything that day besides assembly work.
So, I got a gas powered broom - a Stihl leaf blower!
Even after I had the shop as clean as I normally get it with brooms and air hose, I went to my local distributor and bought a leaf blower.
I came back to the shop and put away paper items, paper scraps, etc. Cleaned the waste baskets, etc. and fired my new broom up!
The CLOUD of dirt and dust that blew out of my shop windows and doors was scary! Out from under the work benches and un-movable items like cabinets, shelves, power hammer, welding supplies, everywhere.
It's like a new shop!
Now, every two or three days, I just fire up the "gas broom" and blow the place out.
I feel cleaner.
It's a nicer environment to work in.
I'm not dragging in dirt from the shop to the house.
Contamination has decreased.
For only $139.00, and the size of your new shop, I think that would be my first investment, if you don't already have one.
If you have one - use it!
 
you can make a spark trap from a 5 gallon bucket. you run the hose from your grinder in through the top of the lid and have it slightly below the water level and the other one will be just flush with the lids underside (this hose goes to the vacuum source). any spark will be extinguished and it will also collect quite a bit of dust also. 2 of these can be set up in line and pretty much filter your air enough that a furnace filter will remove the rest.
 
I have used a Grizzly dust collector for 10+ years with 4" sewer pipe and blow it outside. Works great.

I also use a shop vac instead of a broom, this will cut down on air born dust.
 
Suck it all outside if possible. Bags will fill, and filters will clog. If possible, make yourself a "grinding room" to keep dust in a seperate area. Either way, think about building a high-output fan higher into the wall to blow the airborne particles out.
 
Phillip,

I second Burchtree's suggestion:thumbup:

It's great to see your shop come together. Thanks for taking the time to take the pics and sharing.
I have multiple systems in my small shop. I have a 30inch exhaust mounted in the wall, a high speed with hood over the forges and the vacuums that collect the stuff coming off the grinders. No one system will cover it all.
Aside from the vacs on the grinders the big 30 inch is the one I use the most.
I turn that beast on, open a door for cross flow, take the air hose and blow all the dust out of the shop. I of course wear a respirator when doing this.:eek::D

Show us what you come up with.

Fred
 
Hey, Don! I still owe you for that last batch of W2 but can't find the bill.
I must have blown it out the door with my leaf blower!
Is that what you mean by "air born"?
 
These are all great suggestions, guys, keep 'em coming.
I love the idea of just blowing everything outside, but this seems like a bad idea in the winter. I don't like grinding with frozen fingers! What do you guys do for that?

I do plan on having an attic fan installed, mostly for venting hot air in the summertime.
 
I use AC in the summer and wood heat in winter, so the big exhaust fan and open doors would only work spring and fall for me. The dust collector is run to each dust creating machine and does not suck all the heat or cool out while running (only open at the machine in use) If a shop was very small like my old one, this can be a problem.

Karl, yes that is part of what I mean and I do need the money! Shall I send you another bill :)
 
I used to use a filter/bag, but I took it off and let it blow outside. It sucks a lot better now too. Every few weeks I break out the shop vac with a bag and go to town. It's amazing what that does. I may combine that with a blower now that I read this.
-John
 
I am a horrible person. I collect grindings in a bucket, and once a month put on my resperator, fire up the leaf blower, open the windows with fans pointing out, and go to town.
 
Don Hanson III said:
I have used a Grizzly dust collector for 10+ years with 4" sewer pipe and blow it outside. Works great.

I also use a shop vac instead of a broom, this will cut down on air born dust.
Click to expand...

Don, what horse power is your Grizzly unit, and are you happy with it?
 
I built abox on wheels big enough to fit a blower from a home heating system(external motor) and left most of the top open 24x24 lay a furnas filter on it with a peice of polyester batting over that and it works pretty well for the winter months. Ireally like the leaf blower idea for the summer.
Ken
 
I just got a flyer from Harbor Freight. They have their 2 HP double bag dust collector on sale for $179.99. I have had one for about a year, and it works very well. The only down time was due to the on/off switch. I am in and out of the shop often, and the constant switching burned it up. I replaced it witha heavy amp light swich from Lowes for about $5.00. You could set it up to run to the filter in winter and divert to outside when the weather is better. Best of both worlds.
I am building a 24x30 shop to get my stuff in one place and let my wife put her car back in the garage. The dust collector will be part of it.
Chip Kunkle
 
Phillip Patton said:
Don, what horse power is your Grizzly unit, and are you happy with it?
Click to expand...
Mine is the 1HP cheap model Griz and yes, I'm very happy with it. I have it connected to three belt grinders and a surface grinder. I would however recommend one of the larger units if you are going to make any long runs.
 
Kunklec said:
...You could set it up to run to the filter in winter and divert to outside when the weather is better. Best of both worlds.
I am building a 24x30 shop to get my stuff in one place and let my wife put her car back in the garage. The dust collector will be part of it.
Chip Kunkle
Click to expand...

That's the plan. :thumbup:
Congratulations on getting your new shop. It's a good feeling, isn't it?



Don Hanson said:
Mine is the 1HP cheap model Griz and yes, I'm very happy with it. I have it connected to three belt grinders and a surface grinder. I would however recommend one of the larger units if you are going to make any long runs.
Click to expand...


I ordered the 2 HP model yesterday. I guess it'll work. :) I'll be hooking it up to two grinders (eventually. I only have one right now), a bandsaw, and a blasting cabinet.

What size sewer pipe are you using? I'm planning on 4".

And how long is a long run? I'm figuring mine will be about 24'.
 
2HP will work great. I'm using 4" pipe, with a 5" exhaust out the wall. My longest run is about 10' and I would call 24' a long run for a vac system.
 
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