Dust Collection System, Etc. For New Shop - Advice?

[Prometheus]

Hey, Folks,

So, I'd love to build bows, and I've been saving for the past few years to buy all the tools I need to start up a little hobby shop and have some fun. My only concern at the moment is the dust collection.... I had asthma as a kid, and it was pretty unpleasant, and, although I've pretty much "grown out of it", it seems to have started to flair up just a little due to allergies, and I'd hate to aggravate that further.

I started researching how people handle dust collection for glass laminated bows here and on other sites, and I've come across some disconcerting stories about how experienced wood workers with substantial gear gave up on glass bows or bows all together because of dust and associated health issues.

My question is: Is there any ideal setup that would eliminate (as much as possible) fiberglass and wood dust and the risk of damage to health from same? If it's more equipment, I'll keep saving; if it's also running the shop outside, I've got access to a family barn and tack room with some space available for me.

Any pointers, guys? I'd hate for this to be just something I can't risk trying....

Thanks so much for any advice, and have a great week, everyone!

~ P

[John Malone]

Got a cousin who has asthma, he loves wood working but the dust was a problem. Spent a fortune on dust collection equipment so an and so forth but it wasn't enough. What works for most folks doesn't always work for people who are more sensitive to things like that. He ended up moving into the barn and putting two huge fans at either end one facing in one facing out worked great for him. I don't have health issues but my router work I like to do out side with a fan blowing on me.

[Prometheus]

Thanks for the info., John. Sorry to hear it cost so much for your cousin to find the right solution, but I'm glad to hear something ultimately worked!

I was actually thinking about just putting my bench on some heavy duty locking casters and pushing under this pole barn area next to the stalls with a couple of big construction fans I have from work pushing all the dust. Sounds pretty similar to what's done well for your cousin!

[John Malone]

Prometheus, that's probably the best way to avoid the dust ive ever seen. As far as my cousin goes don't worry about him he is a lawyer it didn't hurt his wallet any.

[Prometheus]

Haha, what a coincidence - I'm a lawyer too! I work for a small construction company, though, handling some business/construction project management and some law for them. It's less money than some of the more traditional lawyers get at the big firms in the big cities, but I like it.

Been saving a little money at the end of every year for the past few and gotta get the go-ahead from my lovely better half/family accountant, but I think I'll be able to swing the rest of the tools and things pretty soon. We might be moving back home to North Georgia, though, so it might make sense to put off purchasing some of the bigger things until we get set up there.

Where about does your cousin work - NC?

[fujimo]

your plans sound like the best option, but if you do decide to go with dust extraction, there are a lot of companies and manufacturers out there that spout a lot of numbers and percentages- all derived from lab tests.
by far the very best dust extraction system are the systems designed by Bill Pentz, research him a bit.
 he offers plans for free- and you can build your own setup, or the company called Clear-Vue cyclones, manufacture and sell products made to his specs.

we just bought one- phenomenal!!!!!
Bill is an interesting guy- who ended up getting sick, with the dust he was exposed to- and decided to research and design a proper system, that really works- like i said the complete plans are for free on his site, or you can get a kit from him, or buy the complete ready to go system.

good luck- whichever way you go.

[Roy from Pa]

You definitely want a dust deputy. Works fantastic. You will be amazed. Do a search on youtube and check them out.

    https://www.oneida-air.com/category.asp?Id=%7bCC6B6F2A-E3D7-4F18-A53C-B5C357DFE131%7d&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=Dust_Deputy    

Also put a unit in the ceiling of your shop for even more dust collection.


I have the Grizzly G9956 unit.

Go to Grizzly, then woodworking machines, then dust collection.

  http://www.grizzly.com/

[Robertfishes]

I have my dust collector out side of my shop in its own 4x6 building. I also have a cyclone between The shop and dust collector. The fine dust that can pass thru the bag filter is in the out building not released in my shop. I wear a 2 filter respirator anytime I am cutting and sanding, even hand sanding.

[John Malone]

These guys can give you good info on equipment you want to buy they actually use the stuff so they would know. Some of it cost good money some you can get cheaper. Definitely do the research which I'm sure you have. Always start small and work up as far how much you buy you, don't need much to have fun in a shop.
But if you have clients in the construction industry that may be am excellent resource for finding good used equipment, materials and info. Your accountant might not like you working over time and getting paid in lumber or a table saw.
My cousin is an ADA but not in NC

[Prometheus]

Thanks for the guidance, fellas! I'll be sure to keep on researching and take all your advice into account. i'll have to look into Bill Pentz and the Dust Deputy. Always been a big Grizzly fan - been eyeing one of their bandsaws for a while....

Oh, and having the dust collector in a separate building is a great idea. I'm sure I'm going to get a little overkill about putting this whole thing together, but so be it. I talked to a bowyer the other day whose dad built lots of bows professionally and now he took over the business. His advice to me was to not build bows as he apparently felt there was nothing I could do to avoid the health issues. I'll glad to see you guys don't seem to feel so gloom-and-doom about it!

John - Yeahp. Well I have a decent excuse to buy certain things through the company as it's a small business, so I often wear multiple hats, including that of the construction manager, which means I get some of the cool toys and equipment, haha. As to your cousin: ADA work can be rough. Best of luck to him!

[Roy from Pa]

Nothing wrong with overkill in dust collection.

[skeaterbait]

Originally posted by Roy from Pa:
Nothing wrong with overkill in dust collection.

X2

[BMorv]

His advice was to "not build bows"... Wow.  I would like to hear more of his reasoning for thinking that bow building is so dangerous.  
I don't see why you can't safety build bows if you take the proper precaution.
I try and wear a dusk mask or respirator anytime I work with wood or anything that creates dust.  It's always better to not have that in your lungs.
I would think that a dust deputy, an overhead unit for fine particles, and wearing a mask would be sufficient.

[Roy from Pa]

For me, the very biggest improvement in dust control was the dust deputy. I can't put into words how effective they are. I move it from tool to tool.

Yeah...  I think your best bet is to work in the pole barn... The wind will carry it away...  When I run glass through my thickness sander I hook it up to my vacuum...  I don't want that glass dust getting everywhere...
  As I just said in Skeaters thread...  I have a work station on wheels with small edge sander, 12" disc sander and 10" bandsaw... With sanding tools located underneath... I also have wheels on my 14 and 18" bandsaws...
  Never have the wind to your back...  It should be in front of you and to the side, about 55 to 70degrees if straight in front of you is 0 degrees....
  Can't beat the Dust Deputy...

[Jamekin]

I’ve got dust collection in my shop, and it works fantastic. I have no experience with glass but I assume the only concern would be wear on the filter. Read up and and the more you read the more you get confused and think you should give up. You can spend as much as you want on a good or great system. Check out some of the woodwhisperer’s website. I’m not affiliated or anything, but he takes dust collection seriously and helps summarize it quite a bit. He recommends a specific respirator as well. I’m from the Woodworking world though, not glass. Maybe this will help.

[Prometheus]

Everyone - thanks for the continued advice! There definitely seems to be lots of support for the Dust Deputy and a mobile bench that I can push out to a pole barn to work out in the open when possible. I'll also be looking into the other recommendations such as the woodwhiperer's site and finding the right kind of respirator to handle wood AND fiberglass.

Definitely going to overkill it if I can, haha, and I'll be sure to post some pics once I get the shop going. Gonna take my time and do it right.

[Prometheus]

Everyone - thanks for the continued advice! There definitely seems to be lots of support for the Dust Deputy and a mobile bench that I can push out to a pole barn to work out in the open when possible. I'll also be looking into the other recommendations such as the woodwhiperer's site and finding the right kind of respirator to handle wood AND fiberglass.

Definitely going to overkill it if I can, haha, and I'll be sure to post some pics once I get the shop going. Gonna take my time and do it right.

[fujimo]

do yourself a favour mate- check out clear vue cyclones.
 http://www.clearvuecyclones.com/

they are the best- at taking out the fine particulates- the dangerous ones!
read up about Bill Pentz.  http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/

[fujimo]

heres a quote
"Traditional woodworking “cyclones” separate most of the heavy chips reducing the frequency of emptying dustbins, but traditional “cyclones” pass nearly 100% of the fine airborne particles that coats, clogs and ruins fine filters. Airborne wood dust has razor sharp edges and points that rapidly destroy filters. Traditional “cyclone” designs require constant cleaning and/or replacing expensive filters to maintain good airflow. Unlike other “cyclones”, the Mini CV06 separates heavier particles and most fine airborne dust particles. Separation of airborne dust is six times better than competing models. Independent medical school testing recorded separation rates at 99.9% of dust particles larger than 5-microns and 80% of fine dust particles sized to 0.5-microns. "