Each time dust control comes up the first thing that is discussed is fan operated dust collectors and expensive and bulky cyclone systems.
Some people have even made a study of the efficiency of these machines and a further study of maximizing the air flow through the collection tubes.
This is good.
I can see it the helping a dude building a dedicated shop but it's total fallout for most of us huddled in the spare corner of the garage trying to wack out a fruit dish.
Not too helpful for a weekend warrior but good.
Most of us that
do actually expect to stagger out of the shop with some type of finished project will be faced with trapping dust from several sources.
The table saw, the planer, the jointer are easy. - just hook em up to a DC machine. Even a bad 2 hp machine will clean up after these babies.
The router presents two problems:
The first catching trimmings from wood edges is easy either with a hand held or a table mounted router and a DC or shop Vac.
Plowing, dadoing and pattern routing etc present other problems that are not that easy to solve. (certainly not resolvable with a big ass cyclone!)
Now what?
The easiest answer for my shop is to wear an air powered dust helmet.
I use the self contained style but there are many out there.
When I am done routing, sanding and CMS'ing I turn on the overhead dust collector, leave the shop for a coffee and let the dust collect in the filters.
My lungs are safe when I'm cutting and the overhead filter does a great job of removing the fine particles that even the best cyclone system leaves behind in a practical environment.
So, for you newbies...
Get good face protection first, reasonable dust collection second, and save up for a cyclone for the big stuff.
Yes, I still use a broom and yes I still vacuum round my band saw.
What's your method?
Bob