Dust extraction advise, please?

[Davidf]

Hi again,

Well, I've been getting on pretty well with my new hobby/projects invoving turning; theres is now an important snag.

I new I was fighting off something a few weeeks ago...my supervisor was obviously snuffling so I wasn't terribly surprised when I started feeling snuffly/achey myself.

With sometime off tempation got the better of me and I did some turning....oak as usual.

What DID surprise me about this summer cold was its severity on my chest (though it didn't go to my head) and the total LETHARGY induced; basically I have just lost 2 weeks holiday....got very little done....

My Dad questioned whether there was something, a preservative in the oak. When I googled for information regarding wood working and dust I got a nasty surprise......its obviously quite an issue....the stuff is carcenagenic too......which is not good.

I wonder what other people do about this.....is there a satifactory answer? I don't want health issues in ten years time......so this is currently a concern.

Any thoughts?

I would also say that I saw a doctor during my time out (actually principally about achey knees) and he related very similar recent symptoms to my fluey virus, particularly the total, zero energy, so I would n't entirely blame the lthing for that. The health issue is still quiet a concern, though.






thanks very much,










David

 

[Paul.J]

Hello David.
Sorry to hear about your problems but it is to be expected when working with varying woods,especially hardwoods and exotics.
I used to be fine when i was younger but one day i had symptoms like you've got now,especially with red woods.
I've been using Oak the last few weeks wearing the trend airshield and with extraction,and again this weekend had flu like symptoms.
This i'm sure was just with dust that is floating around the shop,while not wearing the airshield,short amount of time :!: :!:
Best thing is to get the Trend Airshield,and some sort of extraction on the lathe.
All the best.
Paul.J.

 

[Paul.J]

Perhaps
thisshould be put some where on the forum as a warning.
Paul.J.

 

[CHJ]

Hi David,

Some wood hazard links hereyou may not have found.

I am susceptible to certain wood dusts, and the chemicals released into the atmosphere when turning and sanding.

As Paul says, for your basic long term health risk you need a fine filter face mask such as the Trend as a minimum and good shop extraction and maybe shop ambient air filtration if you can't dump the fine stuff outside.

This will not of course prevent allergic reactions through skin contact or aerobic chemicals, those you just have to identify and avoid I'm afraid.

I personally have to keep medication in the fridge and anti histamine drugs on hand in case I should be foolish enough to work with Iroko, guess who did so in the last few days :roll:

 

[shedhead]

I am also new at this hobby. When i started i bought a Microclene Air filter for just under £100, and i wear a dust mask only when sanding. The filter sits on a shelf almost on top of the lathe. It doesn't half sook in the dust, or so i thought. After sanding is over i will remove dust mask and switch off filter after a couple of minutes, thinking all the small particles have been removed. With this good weather and the sun shining showed to my suprise that there was still dust particles floating about in the air more than 10 minutes or more after i had finished sanding.
It was only then i realised that me moving around was sturring up dust that had settled further away from the lathe. I am quite slow at picking up on most things, as this should have been something i thought about before i started work.

Nasty stuff this wood. Its hard to get hold off then when you finally get some it wants to kill you.

 

[Paul.J]

Shedhead wrote
sun shining showed to my suprise that there was still dust particles floating about in the air more than 10 minutes or more after i had finished sanding.
It's this dust that causes the problems,especially in hardwoods.You think it's safe and clear but it's not.Can take years before it can effect you. :!:
Dangerous stuff.
Paul.J.

 

[Blister]

I use the following in my workshop all at the same time

A 2hp chip extractor

A microclean 1200

and a Trend air shield

they all run together until I have finished in the workshop

about £450 worth

how much is a new pair of lungs , fitted

 

[TEP]

Hi David.

My suggestion is buy this straight away, http://www.craft-supplies.co.uk/ type FM956 in the search box, before doing any more turning. Then follow any or all the above ways of extracting/collecting the dreaded dust.

IMO the best way is to get the dust outside, and some of us have the idea of a fan fitted into a hole in the wall beside the lathe blowing out all the time. Then there is the more expensive route of buying machinery.

Don't mess about, IF you are suffering from any effects caused by wood dust do something about.

Good luck, and don't let it put you off. You are only one of many who seem to be effected by this problem.

 

[CHJ]

http://www.craft-supplies.co.uk/

One to many commas in your link Tam.

 

[TEP]

Thanks for that Chas. was in a hurry this morning, brain only connected by a very tenuous link at that time. :roll:

 

[shedhead]

When i built my shed, i wanted to install an extract system using a bathroom extract fan. I was not sure what size or type to buy. I sent an email to a well known company explaining what i wanted. The reply i received back was to forget this as the fan could catch fire if dust clogged the system.
What is the best woodworking system to use. Is the microclean not suitable to use on its own?.

 

[TEP]

Hi Dermot.

I get the feeling that the company you talked to was very wary about saying their fans would do dust. Personally I can't see any problem, but there are plenty industrial fans kicking about, and second hand.

I picked up a 10" sealed fan for £10, over 40 years old and still running great. No problems like intermittent use that you see on a lot of equipment these days.

Microclene, won't clear dust as you make it, they are ambient dust filters and as such are meant to be left on all the time helping clear the residue of airborne dust left floating around. IMO You still need to have some sort of unit clearing the immediate dust from right on top of the work area.

 

[Paul.J]

Dermot.
I think people do think that these filters can be used for the main dust extraction in thier shop,they are only for use as Tam says.
I would still get some proper extraction where you are working,and wear a mask of some sort.
And always clean up when you have finished,this all helps to keep the dust down.
Paul.J.

 

[CHJ]

using a bathroom extract fan.

There is no way that a fan intended for domestic bathroom condensation/odor control would move enough air to be effective in a workshop for removal of work generated dust whilst you are working, even left on permanently after you finished operations I doubt it would create sufficient airflow in the room to exhaust the airborne dust before it settled.

The ambient air filters I have seen (retangular box type) all create sufficient air movement to warrant careful positioning to avoid the exhaust draft blowing on the work area.

 

[shedhead]

Thank to everyone for the advice. I will need to install a extract fan larger than the normal bathroom / kitchen type. The company that told me a fan could catch fire was Xpelair ( not sure if spelling is correct). I think they did not want any hassel.
I will need a length of ducting and of course a suitable fan. Work area is 12" x 12" with a small greenhouse attached.

Thanks All.

 

[Davidf]

Hi Dermot.

I get the feeling that the company you talked to was very wary about saying their fans would do dust. Personally I can't see any problem, but there are plenty industrial fans kicking about, and second hand.

I picked up a 10" sealed fan for £10, over 40 years old and still running great. No problems like intermittent use that you see on a lot of equipment these days.

.

Yes, this is kind of what I'd been thinking around...

I'm wary of masks + filters, when they may or may not be doing any thing. A powerful fan blowing ervything away form your face I find rather more convincing.

Clearly more thought needed. (a bit of a blow (excuse possible pun) actually).

Many thanks for all the replies.







David

 

[CHJ]

The company that told me a fan could catch fire was Xpelair

If you never serviced it and let it clog up with dust/shavings that may be so if using a domestic rated unit, but I have seen them in some pretty awful states and still running.

Common sense would dictate that you run a soft brush and the 'Vac' over them occasionally when build-up is observed on the grills.

 

[Davidf]

I personally have to keep medication in the fridge and anti histamine drugs on hand in case I should be foolish enough to work with Iroko, guess who did so in the last few days :roll:

..is that what I should have been taking this last week....antii histamine?

I gather that oak dust is carcenegenic.......which certainly scares me!!?!



Someone warned me that wood turning was an expensive hobby....I'm beginning to see why!

Tha lathe was the tip of the ice burg!

 

[Davidf]

The company that told me a fan could catch fire was Xpelair

If you never serviced it and let it clog up with dust/shavings that may be so if using a domestic rated unit, but I have seen them in some pretty awful states and still running.

Common sense would dictate that you run a soft brush and the 'Vac' over them occasionally when build-up is observed on the grills.

sounds sensible...

 

[CHJ]

I personally have to keep medication in the fridge and anti histamine drugs on hand in case I should be foolish enough to work with Iroko,

..is that what I should have been taking this last week....antii histamine?

Seek doctors advice, if the dust/contact with wood is causing histamine reaction (itching,swollen eyes,runny nose, sneezing, are but a few symptoms, somewhat like a head cold) then taking the anti histamine immediately they occur calms things down and prevents worsening conditions.
I usually shower after any dust producing workshop session, If I don't bother and a 'bad' wood has been involved then by late evening a prickly itching begins in my scalp,neck,behind my ears and sometimes arms, no sympathy ensues from SWMBO of course but an immediate shower and AH tablet eases the problem.

I gather that oak dust is carcenegenic.......which certainly scares me!!?!

Many dusts are suspect if ingested into your nasal passages and lungs, do all you can to prevent it happening. (remember most warnings are based on results of findings from persons with long term or excessive exposure) just try and minimise your personal exposure wherever you are.