Extraction question

[Drudgeon]

Like most (I'm led to believe) I have spent all my time and money ensuring I have the best tools and machinery possible and really pushed the extraction/air filtration issue to one side, (quite possibly I along with many others will pay for this later in life) however, it's now time for me to start taking this issue a bit more seriously. I have a small workshop of around 500ft/2, and have a Jet 1100 cyclone chip extractor, they also do a fine filter for this extractor which claims it turns it into a 1 micron extractor.

I have also been looking at a ceiling mounted fine air filter, also looking through the Axminster book, Jet have one marked for the smaller workshop that states it removes 85% of particles of 1 micron.

My question is, that if I fitted the fine filter to the chip extractor, would I benefit much from also having the fine air filter? Obviously the noise would be an issue, and I guess the ceiling mounted air filter could run 24hrs?

I guess in a way, I've answered my own question, but any further thoughts on a subject far too many of us do not take seriously would be much appreciated.

 

[Doug B]

Best to remove the dust at source, if it's in the air to be filtered out by a ceiling mounted filter it will also be in your lungs if you're not wearing a mask.

I use a fine filter on an old 2200 extractor & it works very well as long as it's cleaned regularly.

 

[wallace]

I agree with Doug the best solution is to collect at source. This is also the hardest to achieve. You can have as much air filtration as you like but if your not wearing a mask then your lungs are filtering as well. I have found that the problem is you need to move a huge amount of air to collect dust affectively. I have a 2 hp chip extractor with 6" ducting going into a big thein baffle and venting outside on my saw and its pants.

 

[devonwoody]

I have the jet filter on ceiling and chip extractor, they work because they are always needing to be emptied.

But.

Emptying them is also problem you then need a very good respirator because all that dust above flies around again and there is more of it then.

At my age I am suffering from pollution, but I have been around this earth longer than some and it is a filthy place so you will all start puffing later in life imo.

 

[Grahamshed]

I am like you, put it off for much to long ( and the fact that we MAY be 2 of many has no relevance ) so we now face an even bigger problem.
As well as collecting at source which for most machines is not that difficult we must now try and deal with the dust that is in circulation or lying dormant somewhere waiting to be disturbed ( I don't think you can ever get rid of that now )
So what I have done is....
1...Fit up a Camvac to a central system to catch dust at source. This works pretty well but there is always a quantity of dust from the Mitre saw in particular that gets away.
2...Fit up a microclene ( or other ) air filter which will catch some of the airborne stuff.
3...Fit a big powerful extractor fan into a window.
4... ( I am saying this a bit tongue in cheek but I actually do it ) every so often I turn the extractor on full blast, take a deep breath, take the exhaust tube from the vac and blow air onto places that store dust ( wood storage area, walls, ceiling etc etc ) until there is a big fog in the workshop and then run like hell shutting the door behind me.

What I REALLY should do is get an air fed mask like the trend or whatever but I just know in my mind I would never wear it.

 

[Grahamshed]

and just to add....500 square feet aint small

 

[PAC1]

If you have the Jet I would fit the fine filter canister on it. That should deal with most of the dust. Whilst removing dust at source should be the goal a ceiling hung extractor is still worthwhile if only to make you realise just how much dust is in the air when you think it is clear! I also use a face mask these days whilst doing the worst jobs. I have a 3M 7500 which is very comfortable and does not suffer condensation like rubber masks used to.

 

[Drudgeon]

Well I'm afraid I am the worlds worst for not wearing a dust mask, in fact, I don't even think I've got any in the workshop! The jet extractor is a good one and I am going to fit the fine filter to it, it's a shame that I could site the extractor outside and then run the duct in through the all, that would negate the need to fit the fine filter,

I think I would like the air filter too, I could leave it running constantly and just remove fine particles from the air even when I'm not in there.

I don't have a seperate finishing room, so I need to clear the worst of the dust out before I finish anything, but it's still a nightmare regardless, not too bad in summer when you can finish outside, but a pain at any other time.

Even with a good extractor, when using a lot of the machines you still only probably collect 70%, so I think we really do need additional air filtration.

PS, I know that 500sq/ft is not too small, but when I see some of the workshops on here, it makes me cry with envy, but in reality, 18months ago I was working from my garage so I should be more grateful really, but it's amazing how you fill the space and suddenly wonder how the hell you are supposed to get anything done lol

 

[devonwoody]

Whats its like if you go to a furniture making factory, something like Lebus?

Is the air as good inside as outside?

What regulations do they have to comply with and how good is the standard?

 

[PAC1]

Have a look at microlene dust extractors CHT sell them for airborne dust. The Jet with a fine filter should do better than 70%. If not you need to look at the collection housings on your machines. One of the biggest improvements I made was connecting a Hoover to the crown guard rather than teeing off the piped system. Sawing is now virtually dust free.

 

[Drudgeon]

70% is just a wild guess, and when I say 70%, as you rightly point out, I am referring to the collection point at the machine as apposed to what the extractor takes/recirculates, and thinking about it, in fairness it probably is more like 90% than 70%,

I know what you're saying about using a separate extractor for the crown guard, I find that when I Tee off on the table saw or router table, the suction is so drastically reduced that I end up doing similar and introducing a second extract.

My shop is almost to where I'd like it to be machine wise, so I really need to knuckle down and sort my extraction out, for my own comfort as much as anything, I use a lot of MDF, and spend mot evenings blowing it out my nose... :? :?

 

[PAC1]

In that case you need a good quality fine dust extractor rather than a chip extractor with a filter, a ceiling extractor and face mask. MDF dust really is dangerous and should be avoided