Dust Extraction Advice

[wabbitpoo]

Further to my other post on the subject I would like advice on a dust extraction system to add to the shop.

Its mostly for lathe work but ideally I'd like a system that I could add other lines to other machines in the future. Please point me at good, reliable systems you yourself use - no better recommendation!

 

[John. B]

I have the 63mm extraction kit from Axminster plus extra pipe and corners and blast gates as my shed needed.
The pipe goes around just under the roof trusses with down pipes to each machine that needs it.
Two blast gates are needed for each take off, one just below the join, the other on the up side (furthest from the vacuum) so that the extraction is only being used by one machine.
I have WV100p Vac, and for a cheap system it works very well.

John. B

 

[CHJ]

If your prime concern is for personal protection during Lathe use I would advise you go for a chip/dust collector that moves as much volume as possible.
Nothing is going to collect all but a small percentage of your chippings from turning but the bigger the air movement the more of the fine dust you are likely to remove.
And here is the dilemma regarding expense versus dust trapping, a lot of the cheaper chip extractors rely on coarse filters to achieve good air flow needed to move shavings and just pump the fine dust back into the shop.
I personally use an Axminster 1200, originally with a fine filter bag fitted and installed in the shop. This proved to be rather noisy and still let a significant amount of fine dust circulate.
Moving it to outside the shed and fitting a standard coarse bag increased the airflow and illuminated the internal dust and reduced the noise.
Subsequent fitting with a very coarse homemade polycotton bag doubled the airflow and as the dust is ejected outside is not a problem.
Winter cooling due to air extraction is largely overcome by opening a strategic window to allow an air path without undue disturbance of internal warm air.

 

[greggy]

i use the wall mounted camvac, a great little machine.

 

[cornucopia]

I have two camvac's- which i only use for dust extraction.

 

[duncanh]

I use a floor standing Camvac 336. It works well enough but I wish I'd bought the double motor version for extra suction.
I use it to collect dust and it's usually only on when I'm sanding as it's right next to me and quite loud (of course, the double motor would be even louder).
I don't worry about extracting shavings as I produce so many that I'd be continually emptying the camvac.

I also have a ceiling mounted Microclene 400. This is on pretty much all the time including when I'm not working. The filter on it needs cleaning at least once a week, ideally every 3 days or so. To clean the filters I remove it and run the Camvac hose over it.

In addition to these I wear a JSP Powercap respirator whenever I'm in the shed. Again, I vacuum the filters on this every 3 days or so - it's frightening how much dust escapes the other 2 systems!


Unfortunately all these produce a fair amount of noise so I usually wear in-the-ear earphones for listening to music/radio with ear defenders over the top.

Hope that helps

Duncan

 

[Hans]

Over the years I assembled my dust collection system.

It started with an axminster ADE1200, on which afterwards a fine dust filter was mounted.

I tried several face masks, but in the end invested in a 3M dustmaster.

In addition to that I have a Microclene MC1000 over the lathe, which is nearly always on.

When using a power sander or router a Bosch GAS 50 M (not available in the UK) is used.

As Duncan writes, when using a dust extractor or vac you need ear defenders.

See also dustcontrol in Hans' workshop

Hans