Suggestions for catching steel dust?

[txwill]

I've got the ubiquitous 5 gallon bucket under my grinder, but I still end up with lots of steel dust on the floor around the bucket. Is anyone using something between the grinder and bucket to catch the stragglers?

 

[Randy3000]

I have a small metal tray (from an old toaster oven) directly under my platten. I say it catches probably 80 to 90% of the dust.

 

[A.McPherson]

I sit my bucket in a stool to get it closer to the belt. It works pretty well, but I’m nit running a dust collection system either.
I think that without sone sort of suction, you’re just gonna have dust.

 

[Carterwhopkins]

I run a Powermatic dust collector with 4" hose and a funnel directly under the platen and I still get dust...it does a pretty good job, but grinding is just messy.

 

[P.Brewster]

I grind in a booth with water spray and an exhaust fan. There is absolutely no dust outside the booth.

 

[A.McPherson]

P.Brewster
That’s a good plan! I hope to end up doing that one day, along with a shop with compressed air and power everywhere! And a hanging air cleaner!

Sigh. Someday!

 

[Lieblad]

I catch alot of dust with magnets. Inside airflow of anything what has forced ventilation.
At my beltgrinder, Seems alot of dust sticks to the belt then gets flung off at the wheels. For a time I had magnets behind the wheels too what works in conjunction with the vacuum system. But since moved operation to a filthier environment. Those are sort of moot.

 

[Robert Erickson]

I run a Powermatic dust collector with 4" hose and a funnel directly under the platen and I still get dust...it does a pretty good job, but grinding is just messy.

Just curious Carter, do you have a spark arrestor in you system?

I use a 5 gal bucket under the grinder and an Shop Fox overhead air filter

 

[scott kozub]

Jeremy from Simple Little Knife has a dust collector with what looks like an HVAC vent. He does note his collector catching on fire if also using it for wood.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I set HF welding magnets on the bench around the grinder. They catch a lot of stray steel dust.

 

[Carterwhopkins]

Just curious Carter, do you have a spark arrestor in you system?

I use a 5 gal bucket under the grinder and an Shop Fox overhead air filter

Sorry I missed this when you posted Robert.

I don't have an arrestor. My hose is vinyl, so I can see any burning spots, I also have a cup next to the grinder and occasionally I have to throw some water into the hose. It is far from perfect and I have had to duct tape several holes in the hose, but I do like being able to see if there is any fire in the hose, which metal/pvc piping would not allow for. I have had a burn in my collector bag twice in four years....it doesn't really catch fire, more like smoldering...I can smell it pretty quickly. I have thought about cutting a piece of wire mesh to place in funnel directly underneath my grinder. I would like to get an overhead air filter.

Not a great pic of the grinder, but you can see the funnel and hose running behind the bandsaw.

 

[john april]

i did not like the idea of having a tube of any kind between the catcher and spark arrestor/bong for obvious reasons and from prior experiences, so i combined the catcher and spark bong into one unit. i started sitting while grinding a little over a year ago and so far not one problem in the plastic tube dust collector tube after the bong. the top is 3/4" plywood and is just sitting on top of a bucket.
DSC_0586 by john april, on Flickr

 

[Carterwhopkins]

That's a nice set up John....may have to give it a try. Is the plywood top sealed or does the vacuum pressure suffice?

 

[Sando]

john april That's what I wanted to build!!! Thanks for the photo. I gotta try that.

I mostly run a dust collector under the grinder for wood and metal. But if I'm hogging, I'll turn it off or pop out that duct opening and use the bucket. That little block of wood under the belt helps the air flow catch more dust.

The plastic duct opening just sits in the bracket, so it lifts right out. The bracket also holds my "Old man hand rest".

 

[Carterwhopkins]

That little block of wood is a good idea....will try that.

 

[Robert Erickson]

Thanks for the reply Carter, I'd hate to see your shop burn down.
I use two grinders now. One for steel where I have a 5 gallon bucket with water under it and the other for wood which has the dust collection system. I have an overhead shop fox air filter.

 

[JoshRG]

I also have had issues with burning small holes in my flex hose. I run a spark bong with galvanized ducting into a 5 gallon bucket and haven't had any major issues since. In addition to a large overhead air filter unit it keeps the dust to an acceptable level.

I was wondering if any of you guys have experience with steel flex pipe used in vehicle exhaust applications? It looks very similar to the aluminum dryer duct hoses found at most hardware stores but more heavy duty. It's expensive for sure but if it is a viable option it might be worth a look.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I have a setup similar to Sando's. I really like his sliding mount bar. I am going to copy that.

The only thing I would suggest to anyone building a spark/grit trap is to place a piece of 1/4" mesh wire over the catch funnel or the water filled bucket. This prevents dropped things going straight into the bucket or down the hose. This type mesh is sold as "hardware cloth" or "rabbit wire/rabbit fence"

You can get all sort of rectangle and square shaped funnel boxes in the section of the hardware that has vent piping. They are used for floor and wall vents and have 4" or 6" round ends.
A plumbing and heating supplier will also have many choices, as well as metal duct piping.

 

[john april]

thanks guys. carterwhopkins, its just sitting on there and held down by the vacuum inside. that vehicle flex pipe sounds like it should work too.