Dust Collection Help Please

[disabled not dead]

I have been scrolling for a few years now. I’m on a fixed income, therefore having an elaborate work shop is out of the question. My work shop is a sectioned off piece of my garage. Works for me though. I keep my garage door open hoping most of the dust will go outside. That is my only form of dust collection. I’m looking into getting rid of the dust, but don’t really know what I need. I’m looking at buying a Jet air filtration system, but don’t know if I need a dust collector along with that or just the air filtration system. Does anyone have any low cost solutions they could share with me. I’m usually scrolling about 6 hours a day about 4 days a week. The dust is taking over. Thanks.

[Scrappile]

The best thing to do is to try to capture the dust at the source.  Scroll saws are pretty easy, a shop vac and some pvc pipe will capture most.  For the bigger tools, a dust collector is best.  So for the big stuff I think you need a dust collector, for the very fine dust a filtration unit is great.  I wish I had one in my little shop.  Low cost for me is a Harbor Freight dust collector, with a real flexible/expandable  4" hose that I drag to whatever tool I am using at the time.  Over time I improved the dust collector by adding a Wymm filter and a thien /baffle separator to it.  I probably have around $300 invested in it now.

To do it correctly, I think "low cost" would have to be defined.  But everything you do helps some.  A fan with a filter attached to it is a help. 

Edited June 21, 2019 by Scrappile

[disabled not dead]

Thanks

[Scrappile]

Forgot to mention, at least get a respirator (mask).  6hr a day, 4 days a week is a lot of dust to be breathing in, even from a scroll saw.  There are lots of them available.  Not expensive.

[teachnlearn]

Shop around for a square 20 inch box fan. Walmart has had sales lately. Buy a high 'MRV' filter. What in put in furnace filters. Some have carbon filters for odor control, probably won't need that. The higher the MRV the finer the particles it collects. Get the filter size that fits the back of the fan. Tape the filter on the back of the fan with packing tape, duct tape. The filter will collect the dust. Occasionally vacuum the filter until the fine dust clogs it. Should get a good amount of life out of one filter. Pull or cut the tape off and tape another one on. You will find this 'project' posted around for cheap shop filter. RJF

[teachnlearn]

7 hours ago, disabled not dead said:

Thanks

N95 dust mask with exhale vent. The vent is worth it. When you exhale in a regular mask it will be hot. They are online and in home improvement stores. RJF

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=n95+respirator+mask&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-org00-win10-dsk00-nomod-us000-gatwy-feature-SEARC&tag=amz-mkt-catch-us-20

Edited June 21, 2019 by teachnlearn

[Sycamore67]

Several people have posted systems like in the following picture.

It is so much better to get dust at the source.  I personally do not like the box fan systems as you are pushing dust everywhere.  Your clothes have lots of dust on them and unless you leave them in the shop you take dust with you and breath it.  

[teachnlearn]

38 minutes ago, Sycamore67 said:

Several people have posted systems like in the following picture.

It is so much better to get dust at the source.  I personally do not like the box fan systems as you are pushing dust everywhere.  Your clothes have lots of dust on them and unless you leave them in the shop you take dust with you and breath it.  

The box fan is loud, cheap another way is to save and invest the money. RJF

[disabled not dead]

Sycamore67, is that just 1” pvc? Also, the blue adjustable tube on top going from pvc to blade, I’m trying to find that on amazon or st Home Depot. I must not be using correct terminology, what is that called so I can look it up. That is the only thing I do not have already. Thanks

[Sycamore67]

The blue flexible tubing is Loc-Line and is 3/4".  I believe the PVC is also the same size.  The joints are not glued.

The area where the vacuum connects and splits is 1-1/2" and fits my vacuum hose.

A number of members have made similar setups including Rolf. 

I am using a Festool vacuum which is quiet and made to run continuously but other vacuums will work.

[disabled not dead]

The vac I have is a Hoover & is over 30 years old. It’s louder than a Who concert. I’m probably going to have to invest in a new vac. After 30 years I think I’m due. Thanks for all the info.

[Scrappile]

I have a setup patterned after @Sycamore67 on both of my saws, the Fein vac sits between the two saws and I just switch it to which ever one I am using.  The Fein and the Festool vac go on/off with the saw which is nice.  The Fein is a little cheaper than Festool, but the Fein does not come with a Hepa filter.  If you add the hepa filter to the Fein than the vacs are almost the same price.  Both are great vac, not sure but the Festool may be a little quieter.  Both are much quieter than a normal shop vac.

I buy my Loc-line from here: http://www.modularhose.com/

[new2woodwrk]

I'm on a budget as well and what I've done is this:

I do have a shop vac, have had it for years and works fine.

I also have an extra box fan - I took the box fan and attached an A/C filter to the  intake side - A/C filter at walmart was .99. I hung up the fan where the dust from my saw blew.

Next, I bought some PVC from HD - cost me a bout $4.00 for everything.  Added a 'Y' placed one side of the 'Y' with a bit of extra pipe under the table where the blade port is to capture what falls, tool the other pipe and with a wire a tie attached it to the side of my saw and angled the saw blower toward the pipe.

Turn on the overhead fan, turn on the shop vac and I get very little dust blowing around anywhere.

I get very little dust

Here's my set up - total cost $10.00 aside from the vac, saw and fan:

Edited June 22, 2019 by new2woodwrk

[Rockytime]

A Dust Deputy or a similar type sold at Home Depot is under $100. Many people use them successfully.