Small, indoor shop advice needed!

[Mack_Sauce_16]

I just started knife making a little while ago and am putting the finishing touches on my first few knifes. So far, i've just been using hand files and a jig. I am purchasing a HF 1x30 very soon to help speed up the process. My only issue is that I am moving into an apartment in Denver for the next few months while I am at an internship and I don't know how I can safely set up a grinding station indoors. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Rick Marchand]

A 1x30 is a fairly small machine. Not too difficult to keep clean. Some options include:
-Making a portable rig to grind outside in good weather.
-Setting up a shop vac dust collection system. You'll need to deal with spark arresting issues.
-Cordon off your grinding area with plastic or cloth(bed sheets). Make sure to wear a respirator!

I'm sure folks will chime in with more suggestions. I think your best weapon is diligence. Clean up every time you use that thing, however you end up rigging it.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Yeah, I'm not sure how to arrest the sparks, but the grinder does have a dust port. It's small and may require an adapter (or get creative). Unfortunately you can't use the bucket of water under grinder method to keep dust down unless you do some modifying. It might be plausible though.

 

[Kieran Klein]

If you are lucky your apartment will have a balcony you can set up outside.

 

[Mitchell Knives]

I would set it up outside if possible.

Otherwise I would be meticulous with cleanup if used indoors.

 

[Alaska_Guy]

If indoors and I had no other options, this is what I would do.

1. Make an enclosure out of mdf to house the grinder. Make it big enough that it fits over the grinder to collect dust etc, but not so big that it blocks your work. This would help capture a lot of dust/metal. I would invest in a shop vac as already suggested to help remove dust as you grind. Use a hole saw and cut a hole in your enclosure for the vacuum to hook up to.
2. plastic sheeting for the door to grinding room to prevent dust entering the rest of the apartment.
3. If you have central air (air vents) block them off in the room your grinding in or it will get sucked in to the vents and push the debris everywhere.
4. Try and find a room with hardwood instead of carpet so its easy to clean

I am sure there are other good ideas.