Dust extractor use

Hi

I find that the DC is mostly useless for catching chips at the lathe. Sometimes, if everything is going right, it will catch a fair amount when hollowing.

When I start to see dust coming off the work, whether still using tools or sanding, that's when I turn the DC on. Something like redheart that only comes off as small chips and dust the DC will contain 90 percent. When sanding it probably contains about 98 percent of the dust.

I built a box with an 8 x 8 opening above the ways, hooked to 4" hose. Sits behind the lathe on the stand, unattached, so I can move it along as I work.

H> I've just brought a dust extractor and i'm asking at what point you

I only use it when sanding...

In my experience, if you use it while doing actual turning, you spend more time clearing the lines of shavings then you do turning..

Just MHO, but since they didn't call it a shaving or chip collector, I pretty much use it for dust.. *g*

Mac

Thanks for the quick replies. After finding an hour after work i turne

a small bowl and came up with pretty much the same conclusion, tha when the shavings are heading two dust then turn the DC on. Living in the country with not many poeple about i have put the outle of the DC out side the shed. As soon as i can i will build a storag cuboard to collect the dust/small chippings. The fine stuff can sel feltilize the garden *g* All i got to do now is monitor the temp in the shed and see if dumpin all that air outside makes it toooooooo cold to turn. Mar

I put the whole thing in the shed. The electric outlet for it is controlled by a switch inside. Makes much less noise for me that way.

I use mine for dust and a snow shovel for the shavings.

They are mis-named. The 'dust' the low-end systems collect is big enough to fall out of the air of its own accord.

I do not rely on either the DC or the shop vac filters to protect my health. They are there purely for the sake of cleanliness. The DC pulls through a cyclone mounted over a large fiberboard drum. That stops the big pieces well enough that, after more than a year of near-daily use, there is still no more than about 3" of dust in the bottom filter bag. The chips and saw dust find their way out to the garden paths to moulder until I think they are ready to add to the garden beds.

I have a home-built 2000 cfm ambient air cleaner whose final filter is rated to trap .3 microns ... according to a medical friend of mine, that's enough to trap many viruses and all bacteria. Certainly fine enough to protect my lungs. It is in a 31 x 11 basement shop, so it filters the air fairly frequently.

And no matter what dust collection / air cleaning system you use, WEAR YOUR RESPIRATOR. Being closest to the point of creation, your lungs get first dibs on all the dust you generate. And, no matter which tool you are using, if you are seperating one wood fiber from another, you are generating dust. Even if you can't see it.

Bill