New member with dust problem - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Mr C · 10-22-2009, 08:28 AM

I'm a new member and am already having a good time reading about everyone's projects and ways to do some things. I like the good humor every one has shown. I've been scrolling approx. nine years now. Using a Hawk, but my main machine is the DW788. Learning as I go and having fun. Not selling anything as I have too many relatives and friends and I am slow. I retired ten years ago and needed something to do. Love woodworking. Wish I had been a woodworker instead of an electrician.
I have a real problem with the wood dust etc. I just found out I have developed an allergic reaction to some types of wood, mainly western red cedar. My shop has a vac.system to each saw etc, plus a ceiling mount Jet air filtration system. I wear a good mask, or so I thought. Mask is a U.S.Safety High performance Comfort Ease. Series 400. So I was wondering if anyone had any advice. I know It is possible to get

some leakage around the edge of the mask and so am looking around for better types. If I am unable to correct this problem I'll have to quit the hobby. It's a bummer. Wonderful people in this wonderful hobby. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks for listening to me. Mr C

joez71 · 10-22-2009, 09:46 AM

Hi Mr C, i think posting up some pictures of your setup would be a good idea.

In my case the dust collection itself was the main source of my airborn dust. How good are the filters on your vac? I upgraded to a festool unit and it made a significant difference.

Collecting dust at its source it always going to be the best option IMO.

If you can vent/place your vac/dust collection outside while working that would be a good option.

I am sure others with chime in.

joez71

southpaw · 10-22-2009, 01:22 PM

Mr C, I put the blower from a hot warm furnace in a cabinet with wheels and placed various filters on the intake side,I then wheel the unit to whatever tool I'm using and it collects the dust as you make it, traps it in the filters and clean air comes out the exhaust end. Works well for me and you don't lose your heat.

greatdane2 · 10-22-2009, 04:47 PM

you can also get a filter system that fits on your belt. It has a hose that comes up to a face mask. It puts positive pressure into the mask so you don't breath any dust.
I know the company advertises in woodworking magazines. I am 5000km away from my mags but maybe someone else can give you the name of the unit. I thunk they cost around $200.
And welcome to this site.

Mr C · 10-22-2009, 06:07 PM

Thank you very much joez71 and Alan and Rafi for the information on my dust problem. I'm going to jump into the middle of this problem today and see what I can find etc.
Thought I had a pretty good dust collection system but I can see from your suggestions that I had better take a better look at. The filter system that fits on a belt and positive pressure into the mask may be the way to go. Also venting to the outside. In my case I think is a must.
Thank you all, I'll let you know what happens.
Alan and Rafi, are you sure that's a puppy you are raising? 32" at the shoulders now and not full grown? One big dog.
Mr C

10-22-2009, 08:28 AM	#1
Mr C Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5	New member with dust problem I'm a new member and am already having a good time reading about everyone's projects and ways to do some things. I like the good humor every one has shown. I've been scrolling approx. nine years now. Using a Hawk, but my main machine is the DW788. Learning as I go and having fun. Not selling anything as I have too many relatives and friends and I am slow. I retired ten years ago and needed something to do. Love woodworking. Wish I had been a woodworker instead of an electrician. I have a real problem with the wood dust etc. I just found out I have developed an allergic reaction to some types of wood, mainly western red cedar. My shop has a vac.system to each saw etc, plus a ceiling mount Jet air filtration system. I wear a good mask, or so I thought. Mask is a U.S.Safety High performance Comfort Ease. Series 400. So I was wondering if anyone had any advice. I know It is possible to get some leakage around the edge of the mask and so am looking around for better types. If I am unable to correct this problem I'll have to quit the hobby. It's a bummer. Wonderful people in this wonderful hobby. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks for listening to me. Mr C

10-22-2009, 04:47 PM	#4
greatdane2 Dumb Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, BC. Canada Posts: 2,225	you can also get a filter system that fits on your belt. It has a hose that comes up to a face mask. It puts positive pressure into the mask so you don't breath any dust. I know the company advertises in woodworking magazines. I am 5000km away from my mags but maybe someone else can give you the name of the unit. I thunk they cost around $200. And welcome to this site. __________________ Alan and Rafi. In our house, if you have to bend over to pet a dog it ain't a real dog! UNLESS its a puppy. And the puppy is getting huge. 8 months old and 32" at the shoulders.

10-22-2009, 06:07 PM	#5
Mr C Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5	My dust problem Thank you very much joez71 and Alan and Rafi for the information on my dust problem. I'm going to jump into the middle of this problem today and see what I can find etc. Thought I had a pretty good dust collection system but I can see from your suggestions that I had better take a better look at. The filter system that fits on a belt and positive pressure into the mask may be the way to go. Also venting to the outside. In my case I think is a must. Thank you all, I'll let you know what happens. Alan and Rafi, are you sure that's a puppy you are raising? 32" at the shoulders now and not full grown? One big dog. Mr C

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10-22-2009, 09:46 AM	#2
joez71 Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 21	Hi Mr C, i think posting up some pictures of your setup would be a good idea. In my case the dust collection itself was the main source of my airborn dust. How good are the filters on your vac? I upgraded to a festool unit and it made a significant difference. Collecting dust at its source it always going to be the best option IMO. If you can vent/place your vac/dust collection outside while working that would be a good option. I am sure others with chime in. joez71

10-22-2009, 01:22 PM	#3
southpaw Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: wedgeport, ns, can. Posts: 45	Mr C, I put the blower from a hot warm furnace in a cabinet with wheels and placed various filters on the intake side,I then wheel the unit to whatever tool I'm using and it collects the dust as you make it, traps it in the filters and clean air comes out the exhaust end. Works well for me and you don't lose your heat.