Dust Collector Pros, Cons

Dust Collector Pros Cons Jim Ruen La Crescent Minn : “I bought a 2-hp dust collector from Harbor Freight put it together and then later returned it for a full refund Everything worked but what looked like a good deal wasn’t “While the collector rated at 1 550 cfm cost around $200 I would have to spend several times that to get the dust control I wanted The more research I did the higher the costs rose “I needed a 4-in flexible duct to connect it to my power tools and various reducers and add-ons to connect it to the tool’s dust ports and to collect dust at blade and cutting tool edges In addition I learned how ineffective the 5-micron dust bag that came with it was To capture and hold fine dust I would need to spend close to $300 for a 0 5-micron canister filter To protect it I would need to build or buy a cyclone-style separator or the filter would quickly clog up “Perhaps most frustrating was to discover dust collection information from toolmakers was questionable at best if not misleading and perhaps downright fraudulent Dust ports on hobbyist woodworking tools capture and direct a tiny portion of the dust actually produced Most of it is released directly into the air around the woodworker While searching for DIY information I ran across a reference to Bill Pentz “Pentz is a woodworker who found himself in the hospital as a result of fine dust inhalation He has since made a study of dust collection as well as designing and marketing several systems to remove fine dust from workshops If you want to learn the details of fine dust control go to www billpentz com/woodworking/cyclone/index php#index php “Pentz explains why most dust collector systems don’t do their job and how my 1 550-cfm rated collector was most likely 500-600 cfm if properly tested Tricks include testing without filters in place and without ductwork The site refers to engineering studies and applies industrial research to the home shop “Among his key points: • Insurance data for large woodworking facilities that have good dust collection systems show fine dust causes 1 in 7 workers to take forced early medical retirement and lose about 1 percent of their respiratory capacity per year of work • OSHA testing shows most small shop workers who vent their dust collection systems inside get more fine dust exposure in a few hours of woodworking than large facility workers get in months of full-time work • Dust collectors like the one I bought with a shoulder-level dust bag are more harmful than no bag at all as dust is spewed out of the bag at face level “For people like me not ready to spend $3 000 to $4 000 for a dust collection system that works Pentz advises using power tools handheld and table-mounted outside or at least with open doors and a strong fan creating good airflow He also recommends wearing a NIOSH-approved respirator mask with dual HEPA quality cartridges ”

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