Better Belt Grinder Dust Collection (Water & Vacuum)

[@abaker7615]

I have made similar dust/spark containment for my 1x30, 1x42, and 6x48 sander/grinders, but found that plastic does not hold up well long term, I have ended up cutting grooves all the way through the plastic at impingement points. Went to metal catch funnel, metal flex pipe, stove pipe wye, metal blast gates, and down pipe. Still have plastic on the dust side of the wye. Also if you mount brush (I use a brass brush) on the belt side of the catch funnel up against the belt it reduces the dust following the belt around.

[@MrSpanky473]

Great idea! Now just don't forget to shut the valve to the water bucket when using the dust collector... you'll empty your bucket. Lol

[@AndrewBrowner]

hahah hed need an industrial strength vacuum for that

[@michaelwhalen1907]

I wonder how long it took for that pvc to catch on fire?

[@shophacks]

Good idea. I'm enjoying your channel. I never understood why belt grinders don't have a port that direct debris into a catch can. I suppose they are afraid of the liability if someone connected a vac directly to it and burnt something down. You might consider putting a metal deflector across the hose that leads to the dust collector to force the finer sparks to travel down then back up before they can get into the collection hose. That would almost guarantee that any particles with enough mass to cause a fire would end up in the collection bucket below. It may be safe as-is but that would offer one extra level of protection. It is probably worth running some kind of test though to ensure that no hot metal makes it to the dust collector because most DC fires smolder for a while before they ignite after everyone has left the shop.

[@MakeEverything]

Shop Hacks great suggestions. I definitely see this as a working prototype that will evolve. I also pour little bits of water into the dust collector hose while I grind to try and extinguish anything that might be smoldering. I’ve had 3 DC fires in 2 years with this collector. Nothing catastrophic but always scary!

[@AndrewBrowner]

is it possible to mount a smoke detector inside the dust collector? i guess that might be too sensitive and give false alarm.. maybe near where the extractor outlet is as once enough smoke is in there itll be coming through to the outlet, im sure theres smoke detectors with better notification methods then deafening screeching thatll bring the whole neighbourhood over to check on you

[@Kennnyboy888]

Great solution. I need to build something like this after a mini fire inside my shop vac! When you are producing a lot of sparks, do you have the vacuum on our do the sparks go straight down into the water bucket?

[@impulse0341]

How is it holding up? Would metal ducting work better? Do sparks ever end up in the dust collector?

[@nolana77]

Could you just switch that small section of hose to the semi-rigid metal dryer hose? That would hold up to sparks better than the dust collector hose and would give you a similar flexibility.

[@MakeEverything]

Alex Nolan that’s what I’m thinking, I’m gonna get some heavy duty metal flex as a backup

[@CTmoog]

Nice fix. I was going to ask what brand grinder that is and then you mentioned it towards the end. LB 1000. Seems to work really well. Have you had any issues with it? Great video!

[@Boosted98gsx]

How have the plastic parts lasted over time? Need to build one of these for my 2x72 before I really let her rip

[@mattb2771]

What are you using for the actual dust extraction unit?

[@BearShark44]

how do you dispose of the waste water? not dumping it in the yard or down the house drain.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Very neat setup. I really want a belt grinder

[@MakeEverything]

It'll change your life! I have so many sanding machines in my shop.. and I only ever use the 2 x 72. Im working on a concept right now on how to build a belt grinder for under $200! Stay tuned!

[@Badgerworkshop]

excited to see that

[@uncleblack7946]

Like the mods..simple but effective..thank you

[@plasticbag75]

great setup, perfect video. Bravo sir

[@krznarbmx]

Great video mate.

[@dfy]

When collecting the metal from grinding, are you using any vacuum air flow to pull the metal into the bucket or are you relying on gravity?

[@The_Wealthy_Investor]

no

[@aaronrivers7949]

You missed a really great opportunity to make a bong here.

[@bobwhelk2117]

So is there an a final design?

[@EdwardIglesias]

Great idea. So the spark collection is just gravity fed? I'm assuming you want to keep the sparks out of the wood dust.

[@MakeEverything]

Edward Iglesias exactly, the belt grinder gives enough momentum to the hot sparks to throw them down into the water. If they go into the dust collector they risk starting an air fed fire that’ll escalate quickly!

[@Boosted98gsx]

@@MakeEverything What about using a bucket with a lid w/ 2x 4" holes cut in it, and have a baffle/wall between both holes (input / output), only going down part way, and put just enough water in the bottom to make the sparks / dust do a 180* turn around the baffle and fall into the water?

[@vincentrolfe1384]

Take a piece of heavier aluminum foil and line that flex section rubber duct with the foil and that should keep the flex from melting over time.

[@mictaylor9531]

Awesome - love it! Thanks 👍🏻

[@Hammer757]

good job man! I have some ideas to work with now

[@michaelcoccojr2513]

I'm confused....I'm new to dust collection and I do a good amount of metal work....wouldn't the metal sparks be going right for the vacuum? Not the h20 bucket?

[@tobycarter3629]

h20 bucket lol...its definitely not the correct way to do it but you just don't turn the vacuum on.

[@CowboyGirl007]

Safety goggles!!!

[@tobycarter3629]

this is definitely sketchy as wood dust is explosive and you basically have sparks going into a hose containing wood dust but if it works and never blows you up then good

[@matthewdam5838]

Lol wait do you not use bolts ?

[@1dogpobo]

basically a giant dust/debri bong

[@michaell397]

man, I would melt that funnel and hose in seconds.

[@dennisbroughel427]

If you use a piece of 4" stainless steel flue liner you will never burn through it. Great vidieo.

[@GibClark]

👍👍👍👍