New Woodturners MUST Watch This Dust Collection Guide!

[@williambuckley1185]

Thanks Mike, glad you thought to record this advice.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I appreciate you watching!

[@alainnoel2198]

Thanks Mike. You are right, dust collection is the toughest problem to solve in a small shop. I see it every morning after all the dust in the air has fallen to the ground overnight. Even if I have followed all the best practices (4 inch pipes and so on) it remains a challenge to keep the shop clean, especially in winter when I have to keep the garage door closed (I live in Quebec with quite cold winters). Also the more you add dust solutions, the noisiest the shop gets…. Well being aware and looking for solutions is key to minimizing risks… your video contribution is welcome. By the way did you ever published something on your dust gates because your comments on the plastic ones are true. They perform better if they open and close downwards but then they sometimes open when not needed. Safe turning Mike.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I’ll try and get a video on dust gates made soon. Good idea.

[@alainnoel2198]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning thanks. I added a ceiling dust cleaner a few minutes ago following your clip.

[@wolfiesara]

Thanks so much for the information! After watching this, I went to look at what kind of filter is in my house furnace and what's in my shop.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad it got you thinking about your shop's air quality!

[@DKWalser]

Lots of good information, Mike. I believe most shops should have both high volume low pressure (HVLP) and high pressure low volume (HPLV) systems. As you said in your video, HPLV systems work well with smaller tools, such as orbital sanders and routers. These tools allow the dust port to be right next to where the dust is being generated. High pressure is needed to overcome the force of the spinning blade or sanding disk that's attempting to throw the dust all over the shop. With larger tools, it is harder to put the dust port close to where the dust is being created. This requires a different strategy. Pulling in lots of air creates negative pressure extending a good distance from the dust port. This is where HVLP systems excel. They do a very good job at catching the smaller, lighter, and more dangerous dust particles into the port where they can be filtered-out by the dust collector. Unfortunately, it doesn't do nearly as good a job with the larger, heavier, and less dangerous particles. Those end up on the floor. HVLP systems also work well with machines that produce a large volume of chips, such as planers and jointers. HVLP systems have the large diameter hoses required to collect all the chips these tools create. The smaller hoses of a a HPLV system will often become clogged when used with a planer or joiner. The smaller hose simply can't handle the volume of chips. Mike, your CamVac from Record Power seems like it can be the perfect marriage of the two. (Oneida makes something similar.) It provides much more air flow than typical wet/dry vac and almost as much air flow (at a much higher pressure) than a typical dust collector. The problem for my shop is I'd have to add a 220v outlet, and there's not enough room in the shop's sub panel to add another circuit.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I'm glad you're thinking about all the variables and appreciate your insights on the pros and cons of each system.

[@krperry2007]

I like the bandsaw PVC hack! I also have added thin weather striping where the door hits the frame and noticed improvement. Also some tape over the slot going up to the top wheel.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad it helped, thanks for sharing!

[@MikeFaber-m3e]

75 year old just starting out. Thanks for recommendations. Looking at face shields and dust collection. Have a good dust filtration already in shop.

[@DustanBadovick]

Thank you Mike, Your experience and knowledge is appreciated.Thank you for the making this video.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I appreciate the kind words!

[@fern6114]

As a smoker and young turner but an 63 young wood an steelworker thanks to remind us all… cheers from Luxembourg 🇱🇺 europe

[@glencrandall7051]

Good information Mike. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks 👍

[@bertdelisle393]

Very good video Mike, effective dust collection is often overlooked but is extremely important. I will be interested in seeing your evaluation of the cam vac system.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I will definitely be doing a review of that system soon!

[@petercallaghan4718]

great systems and advice. the issue is how to measure the efficacy of the improvements and air quality in the turning or woodworking area, as the particles which clog the avioli are the microscopic ones we cant see? I can only think to use an air quality monitor to alert and also record the air quality over a period. the bottom line, philosophically, is that trees were never essentially created for man as a manufacturing material, and working in an enclosed area compounds the issues (these also vary according to wood species, as noted in Terry Porter book "Wood: its identification and uses"), The most significant issue seems to be working in an enclosed area ... we go down the rabbit hole of trying to make the air clean when its not .. most professional wood workers I know think of dust an occupational hazard (one has just been for cancer tests). So, do we think to work outside or part of the time outside (machines on wheels through barn doors etc)? Balance all of this with the type of woodworking we do (eg I think the cutting edge of a wood turning gouge travels 2 miles a minute when working on the edge of a 10inch blank at 1500 rpm, and dust may vary according to the moisture content of the wood). Bottom line is I think that working with wood is fundamentally not healthy, and we don't measure how effective our indoor workarounds are, and maybe outdoor shops (fans etc) are the way to go? Other activities are also hazardous as well, such as turning metal, or fumes from welding (the latter now has effective masks to filter the fumes).

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Lots of things can get us. We need to think about we are doing and take appropriate safety measures. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@DavidBird-uu8km]

Thanks for a great information video.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I'm glad it was helpful.

[@matthijskik2832]

Very useful, thanks very much. Keep it up!!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, will do!

[@LewisKauffman]

Thank you, Mike!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

You're welcome!

[@MikeB0001]

Nice video Mike. Lotsa people cheap out in DC..but fail to see the expense of long term effects. Tks

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

It’s worth the investment!

[@jarroberts2]

A tight sealing 3M half face respirator is very effective and the most cost effective safety device. I use these with the proper replaceable and inexpensive 3M pink filters in addition to my extensive shop dust collection system. They are cheap ($25 on Amazon), far more effective than a non-sealing face mask and can also be used with the 3M organic vapor filters for finishing work. If I had to choose between this or my expensive dust collection system, I would choose the respirator.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for sharing with our community. I wonder how the 3m compares to the Base Camp or RZ masks?

[@krperry2007]

What do you do about metal grinder dust?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Collect with a magnet and sweep up.

[@randallmack3901]

I use the magnets like Mike. But thought if I ever build a new shop I might place the grinder along an exterior wall and put a louvered exhaust fan in the wall behind it to pull the particles out of the room. I remember in a turning forum someone mentioned some metal dust is missed by the magnets and was found across the room on another magnet. I am currently hoping my air cleaner is catching it.

[@krperry2007]

@@randallmack3901 Thanks for your help. I’m using the CBN wheels rotating up, so my metal particles go up and everywhere. I think the best for me is to add a shroud and high velocity suction. Some also use a fire-proof system.

[@scottmedori1437]

Having the equiptment, and using it, are different. I am guilty from time to time.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I just bought a 2220V remote switch that will make mine much easier to use.