Lathe Dust Collection.

[James Granger]

I’m pretty new to woodworking and turning and was wondering what a good “dust collection†system would be for the lathe I want to get. I’ve read that dust, if left unmanaged, can be hazardous to your health (perhaps even leading to respiratory ailments) and I want to get advice on a product (either bought or made) that would be good to make sure that any dust (especially airborn particles) is kept in check.

It’d be a mini lathe that I’d just be turning pens and (maybe) bowls on, and my “workshop†space is fairly small, perhaps 10’ x 16’ or so.

I’ve looked at products that simply filter the air, systems with hoods for the lathe, and even read about people who attach furnace filters to box fans.

As far as price goes, I’d like to get a quality solution for as cheaply as possible (who wouldn’t, right?). I would like it If I could take care of things for $100 or less, if at all possible.

Given the work I want to do, on a mini lathe, in the space described, what would be your suggestion on a dust collection/management system that won’t break the bank?

Thanks much for any information or advice.

 

[mfoster]

No matter how you do it, dust collection at the lathe is iffy at best. The most you can hope for is to catch some of the finer dust. High air flow in terms of volume is what you want. Hard to do that with 100$. I have an Onieda 2 HP dust collector with a 5" duct leading to the lathe that is stepped down to a flexible 4" hose that allows me to position a collector near where I am sanding to catch the majority of dust I produce. You can see it on the bottom of the page from my website linked below.

http://breezyhillturning.com/Turning_Storage_and_Layout.html

You would be hard pressed to get anything near that for 100$. You might be able to rig a shopvac to collect the fine stuff if the nozzle is close to where you are sanding.

Other things to consider are positioning a fan behind you to blow the dust away from you. This will do little for the very fine micron sized particles that get airborne as they will float around in your shop for some time. If you could open a window it might help. The last and most practical suggestion is getting some good dust masks. You want HEPA 95 filtration, or better, and a mask with 2 straps to get a fit tight to your face. They also sell some with a one way valve for exhalation which is nice as you dont have to overcome the filtration (which takes some effort).

 

[Odie]

A rubber respirator is always a good way to eliminate airborne dust......and it's well within $100......more like $30.

They can get a little uncomfortable with beards and moustaches.....and, sweat is a terrible thing!

They do the job, and do it well.....but, there are limitations.

I also have an Aristream helmet, but they are costly. I've had this hepa filter helmet for over 20yrs, and it's a good way to go.......

(correction: OK, I lied......I've only had it for 18yrs!)

ooc

 

[Bill Boehme]

I’ve read that dust, if left unmanaged, can be hazardous to your health (perhaps even leading to respiratory ailments) .....

That's putting it very mildly. Breathing dust over a period of time without adequate protection can lead to chronic respiratory illness. You need some type of mask that is rated N95 or better for a passive system or if using a powered or supplied air system rating of P95 or better. A so-called "comfort mask" found in hardware stores only provides a false sense of protection. A Dust-Bee-Gone mask sold in some woodturning catalogs is even more worthless than a comfort mask. It is not rated for any degree of protection and relies on testimonials as "proof" of its effectiveness. Additionally, some woods are "sensitizers" which means that if you develop an allergic reaction to them, it can in some cases put an end to turning almost any other type wood.

I agree with Michael Foster about the effectiveness of dust collection systems. The air velocity of any dust collection system no matter how powerful is only effective for a few inches from the intake nozzle. I would suggest not using a fan indoors because it will only serve to scatter the fine dust around in your shop and it won't be very long before your shop is loaded with dust on everything -- don't ask me how I know this. My large lathe is ill right now so I have mainly been using my mini lathe which I use outdoors -- it reduces the dust problem except for my lungs since I am standing very close to the dust source. That is why using dust protection is essential regardless of whatever other things you do to handle dust. Think of it this way: dust collection is only to help keep the shop clean and breathing protection is to keep your lungs clean.

The worst dust is the sub-micron sized particles and inadequate filters let them easily pass through. Our respiratory system has the greatest difficulty in stopping these extremely small particles or expelling them from the lungs.

 

[Odie]

Just tried to add this photo to my post above, but I see you can't do that from the "edit" feature......

Anyway, here is the Airstream helmet and respirator.

The respirator is a cheap and effective way to eliminate sanding dust.

The Airstream, I believe is only available from 3M these days, and the cost is upwards of $800 now. I think 3M bought the rights to the Airstream helmet in the late 1990's.

I checked and I have my original receipt from Airware America, and I paid $288 for mine in 1991. I believe this helmet has a higher rate of air flow than some of the other helmets available these days.

ooc

 

[Tony Latham]

I don't have a hundred dollar answer. I bought a wall mount dust collector from Rockler. It's flexible hose is connected to the mobile orange inlet you can see in this picture. When I'm sanding there is a tornado of dust that goes down the inlet... I assume it doesn't get it all but at least it gets most of the dust and keeps a volume of fresh air moving around me....

Good luck!

TL

 

[Russ Fairfield]

Here's a link to how I do it. It's not very fancy, but it works.

http://www.woodturner-russ.com/DustCollectHood.html

 

[Bill Boehme]

The Airstream, I believe is only available from 3M these days, and the cost is upwards of $800 now. I think 3M bought the rights to the Airstream helmet in the late 1990's.

There are a number of Internet dealers that sell the Airstream. The current price at Airware America is a bit above $700.

Odie, when you bought youts, it probably was still being produced by Racal in the UK. Racal sold that part of their business to 3M and the Airstream is still mostly built in the UK.

 

[Jake Truxal]

James,
I would think if you want the most effective for the cheapest then go with a respirator with replacable filters. Mine just happens to have carbon filters because I initially bought it 15 years ago for spraying insecticide, dont think that is necessary for dust. I also have a 1350 cfm dust collection system in my shop and an overhead air cleaner above the lathe but even with those if I sand without wearing the respirator I get a throat full of dust. Also, dont forget the faceshield - not just gogles. The can be expensive, the cheaper ones can be pretty flimsy, but if you look around you can find a sturdy one that is pretty cheap. I'm sure I paid under $10 for mine, maybe at Lowes years ago, I wish I could remember because I need to replace the plastic shield because it's pretty scratched up after 15 years of use.

Also, the paper surgical type masks in my experience do not work.

Does anyone know how to know when carbon filters need replaced? I've never replaced my filters since I bought the respirator 15 years ago.

 

[Odie]

There are a number of Internet dealers that sell the Airstream. The current price at Airware America is a bit above $700.

Odie, when you bought youts, it probably was still being produced by Racal in the UK. Racal sold that part of their business to 3M and the Airstream is still mostly built in the UK.

Racal....yes, I believe you are right, Bill.

I recently purchased another battery pack, and I was linked to Airware America through the 3M website. That outfit is still in Elbow Lake, MN.

Thanks for the correction.

ooc

 

[Bob Edwards]

"Dust avoidance"

There is some good info in all the responses but you don't mention the layout of you shop. I'm in a warm climate in an open garage but find the very best solution is to position my lathe with the head stock perpendicular to an open window. I sit a $20 box fan in the window and a cheep 12" fan just off the tail stock end. The air movement takes the more harmful particles out the window. The larger stuff is to heavy to move far and is not the harmful stuff anyway. That's why I call it "dust avoidance" In addition I ware a TOTOBOBO dust mask. I can't say enough good about this mask. The information for this mask can be found on the web. You can order masks and filters from Vince Welch at http://www.vinceswoodnwonders.com/

 

[Bill Boehme]

.... I am envisioning the construction of a type of wind tunnel for the lathe, grinder, and disc sander ......
Any thoughts on this?

:cool2:

The transonic tunnel in Grand Prairie, TX operated by Lockheed Martin leases time in its tunnel. Make sure that you hang onto your hat. 😀