Dust Collection Basics for the Small Shop

By: Gord Thorogood

We spend many enjoyable hours in our workshops but when the project has been completed we are faced with the unpleasant task of cleaning up all the shavings and sawdust we have generated.

Everyone seems to agree that cleaning as you go along is the best way to handle the problem but usually we become so engrossed in our creations, these good intentions go by the board and we are again left with a monumental task. One answer to this problem is the use of dust collection systems to take away the cuttings and dust as they come from the machines.

Dust collection systems differ from shop vacuums primarily in the volume of air drawn through them and the power and type of motor used. If you happen to be using a shop vac type of machine now and would like to increase its efficiency, try attaching another hose to the outlet of the unit. Mount this hose on the opposite side of the work to the suction hose and blow the dust toward the pickup hood.

If you are using a dust collection system and have an air compressor in your shop you can use compressed air to direct the cuttings in the direction of the pickup hood. Because a vacuum can only attain one-atmosphere, the air flow decreases dramatically even a few inches from the pickup hood and since compressed air can be increased in pressure to whatever level you require, you can find combinations that will work very well.

If you are contemplating installing ducts to individual machines, there are a few do's and don'ts that should be observed.

Wherever possible, smooth bore pipe should be used and flexible pipe only used to connect the machines to the solid piping. Curves should be kept to a minimum and low spots in the pipe where the chips could settle should be avoided whenever possible.

If you have piping, to more than one machine, you should always use a blast gate to close off any inlets not in use to ensure the maximum efficiency in the remaining inlets. Just as silt settles out in a river when it widens out and slows down, the dust in the ducts will settle out if it reaches a wide spot in the ducting. This effect can be put to good use if you install an airtight box or drum in the line to catch the heavier particles before they reach the collector bags. Then you can open this box and remove the particles periodically as the container fills up.

With a little imagination you should be able to spend many an hour in your shop creating and very little time cleaning and your lungs will appreciate it too!

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