dust collection for a small shop

16625 Views 47 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Frank Kerman, Feb 2, 2020

HWK290

Discussion Starter · Sep 2, 2019

I've read many threads on this forum about dust collection, but not all of them (there are so many!). They seem to assume one has a lot of room to put ducts and the dust collection machine itself, etc. I don't have that. I have a larger shop vacuum I use when planing wood. I take the machines outside on the driveway and use them there. I wear a surgical dust mask. I vacuum the dust up as I go. I don't cough after a project, but that doesn't mean I haven't been inhaling wood, I think.

What does the person without lots of space do for decent dust collection? I'm sure I'm not the only one with this issue. Any posts on this forum that deal specifically with this issue?

I do have room for the type of dust collector that mounts on the ceiling that filters the whole garage, but I usually work with the garage open, so I'm not sure this would work well. Besides, the garage isn't sealed so any dust collector would suck in outside air.

Could I mount a small dust collector on the ceiling? For example, mount the Harbor Freight one up high? Not sure where I'd run the hoses. Maybe have a longer one I could hook up as needed. The bag will be an issue, too. Thoughts?

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HWK290

Discussion Starter · #41 · Sep 24, 2019

I cleaned up my table saw. It is full of small openings! I thought I might plug them with either the silver tape used in duct work or some sort of caulk. For the bigger ones I thought I would make cover plates out of aluminum. I thought this might increase the suction. Otherwise, the sawdust either falls down and eventually gets sucked up, or still gets thrown off the saw. It's not as bad with the DC running, but not by much.

Anyone ever do this (plug the holes to increase suction)? Does it work?

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Bob Adams

· #42 · Sep 24, 2019

HWK290 said:
I cleaned up my table saw. It is full of small openings! I thought I might plug them with either the silver tape used in duct work or some sort of caulk. For the bigger ones I thought I would make cover plates out of aluminum. I thought this might increase the suction. Otherwise, the sawdust either falls down and eventually gets sucked up, or still gets thrown off the saw. It's not as bad with the DC running, but not by much.

Anyone ever do this (plug the holes to increase suction)? Does it work?

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Stick486

· #43 · Sep 25, 2019

you actually want a lot of those vent holes...

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DesertRatTom

· #44 · Sep 25, 2019

More air flow means less sawdust sticks around. Also use dry lube to help keep it from sticking so badly.

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HWK290

Discussion Starter · #45 · Oct 1, 2019

A couple of years ago I went through my table saw and plugged the gaps where the base met the top, put a magnetic sheet over the blade tilt slot, put in a sloping floor, drilled 3 more holes in the access door. Last June I had to take the saw apart to fix an arbor problem, and could not believe the amount of accumulated sawdust! Without a monster DC I think it is a waste of time.

I have a DC that I can hook up to the table saw. I thought sealing it up would increase flow at the throat plate. Right now, it draws air from all the holes. Seems like it needs to be sealed up to just draw air (and sawdust) from where the cutting happens.

you actually want a lot of those vent holes...

Why? Seems like the opening where the blade angle adjuster is (it's harder to seal up, so I thought I'd leave it) would let in enough air.

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Stick486

· #46 · Oct 1, 2019

closing up the holes restricts/cuts down the air flow (FPM)...
air flow is what you want...
if your DC is doing a poor job of removing sawdust; you have inadequate airflow...

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HWK290

Discussion Starter · #47 · Nov 25, 2019 (Edited)

So I looked at getting a Wynn filter. It states I should get a 17.5" diameter one, even though my DC has a 15" OD. Did I miss something? I made sure I answered the questions about size correctly, by the way!

Also, what else do I need? I couldn't download the instructions to see how it's installed.

I currently have the DC hooked up to my table saw. Works fairly well; I get a little dust on the saw, but there doesn't seem to be much dust settling on anything a day or so later. I use my router outside and wear a dust mask.

I have a Leigh dovetail jig. I was thinking of getting the Leigh attachment that sucks up dust, but thought it might impede my vision. People seem to like it, though. Anyone have this jig with the dust collection attachment? Does it impede vision at all?

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Frank Kerman

· #48 · Feb 2, 2020

I have also the same problem regarding dust and suffering from cough.

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