I am really bothered by dust from turning, people are beginning to think I'm a two pack a day man. Yes, I know I could invest in elaborate and expensive respirators and dust collection systems. I was wondering if anyone has done the unthinkable and wetted seasoned wood to combat this problem? If so is there any advice other than dunking the wood in a bucket of water?
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Turning "dry" wood "wet"
- Thread starter Jimmie
- Start date
Interesting idea but you can always buy some of those cheap disposable dust masks, and put a cheap fan blowing the dust away from your face. In the long run it may not be as efficient as the fancy respirators and stuff but it would be better than nothing in your case and much better than soaking the wood.
To be honest I am not sure soaking the wood would even help. Most of the dust that causes that "woodturner's cough" comes from fine sanding, which I don't think you can do on wet wood. So if you are going to let it dry before sanding you still have the problem.
To be honest I am not sure soaking the wood would even help. Most of the dust that causes that "woodturner's cough" comes from fine sanding, which I don't think you can do on wet wood. So if you are going to let it dry before sanding you still have the problem.
Well Jimmie, it really depends on what you're turning and the final finish but when I'm turning salad bowls that will be oiled I sand with oil. Walnut oil mostly. You don't get the dust but you get globs of oil and wood which you have to clean off the sandpaper, but your sandpaper actually lasts longer. I think it does a nicer job on the oil finish too, give it a try. 🙄
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
Jimmie I've sprayed the wood with water but mostly to make difficult areas easier to cut cleanly. Most of my dust problems come from sanding and I keep a dust collector 4" hose as close as possible to the turning while sanding. There are some woods that are really dusty turning when dry. By that I mean they just don't give shavings. I run the dust collector for these as well.
I don't know how long you would have to soak a piece of dry wood to get it wet all the way to the center. If you did then you might as well go out and find green wood to turn. Of course then you have to buy a chainsaw and possibly a big bandsaw so your still out a lot of money.
I don't know how long you would have to soak a piece of dry wood to get it wet all the way to the center. If you did then you might as well go out and find green wood to turn. Of course then you have to buy a chainsaw and possibly a big bandsaw so your still out a lot of money.
R
Ron Sardo
Guest
Jimmie said:
Consider that expensive respirator and dust collection system as cheap health insurance instead.
Turning Dust
Jimmie,
Remember last time you were in a store and saw some old guy hobbling along dragging an oxygen bottle behind him? This comes from some form of Cronic ObstructivePulmonary Disease or Emphysema. It is most often caused by smoking or in, my case that and firefighting. It can also be caused by inhaling small dust particles such as those formed by cutting and sanding turnings.
It Is NO Damned Fun!
Buy a mask or respirator and install a dust system. It is a whole lot cheaper and more convenient than that damned oxygen bottle.
In addition the dust of many woods is toxic.
Jimmie,
Remember last time you were in a store and saw some old guy hobbling along dragging an oxygen bottle behind him? This comes from some form of Cronic ObstructivePulmonary Disease or Emphysema. It is most often caused by smoking or in, my case that and firefighting. It can also be caused by inhaling small dust particles such as those formed by cutting and sanding turnings.
It Is NO Damned Fun!
Buy a mask or respirator and install a dust system. It is a whole lot cheaper and more convenient than that damned oxygen bottle.
In addition the dust of many woods is toxic.
saving your lungs
I have to go along with everyone concerning the problems dust can create to the body in general.I just picked up a dust collector yesterday.I am a new turner,but have been working with wood for a long time.If you can't swing for the dust collector,what I did was get two cheap fan's and put one in back of you and the other one at a door or window and that does a pretty good job of taking the dust away from you,plus invest in some good dust masks.Total price if you get the fan's new is around 30.00 buck's.I am a big fan of wet sanding also.I just lay an old towel on the lathe to hold down on the mess.Good luck and stay healthy.
Ken 😀
I have to go along with everyone concerning the problems dust can create to the body in general.I just picked up a dust collector yesterday.I am a new turner,but have been working with wood for a long time.If you can't swing for the dust collector,what I did was get two cheap fan's and put one in back of you and the other one at a door or window and that does a pretty good job of taking the dust away from you,plus invest in some good dust masks.Total price if you get the fan's new is around 30.00 buck's.I am a big fan of wet sanding also.I just lay an old towel on the lathe to hold down on the mess.Good luck and stay healthy.
Ken 😀