Grinding Dust

Hi All,

I wondered how others have gone about controlling grinding dust in your workshops?

I have a small manual surface grinder (dry) and an old clarkson cutter grinder in my workshop, as well as the usual off hand grinder - all of these are fairly close to other machines (lathe, etc)., and I have always been very conscious of the abrasive dust that these create.

Currently I cover other machines when grinding, as separating the machines is not an option (due to space).

Are there any good options for extraction? I assume that the woodworking type extractors are no good for this kind of work?

I would be interested to hear any suggestions / experiences you may have.

Thanks,

James

Edited By James Burden on 25/03/2013 16:59:36

I have a CamVac extractor in my woodshop, and have recently extended the pipework to provide extraction in the metal shop.

After consultation with CamVac, I installed a separator bin in the extraction line to the metal shop. I also installed a fine mesh filter of my own design as a second stage, this allows all of the metalic content to drop out before it reaches the main extractor unit. I use the wood extraction in a compacted form to fuel a woodburning stove.

Hope this helps.

You could also use a dedicated vacuum cleaner with close mounted extraction nozzles as an alternative.

cheers

Graeme

James, For my part I have used a Trend T30AF extractor for a number of years and which I have found most satisfactory for all such jobs, including wet ones. Not cheap , but then it is all good quality and comes with a 3 year guarantee, large accessory range and readily available spares. I get replacement filter bags locally from Alltools or Cromwell. Never changed the pre-filter, just keep washing it occassionally .D & M Tools have a video of it on their web site. Hope this helps.

Trevor.

If you have woodshop where waste is burned, I suggest its very important to use separate extraction for metal dust. Cast Iron dust with fine Aluminium dust is VERY inflammable and dangerous. This was the basis for on-site welding of continuous - welded rail line in full size. Could possibly be even worse if Magnesium - Aluminium alloy involved.Mag. used by military for large flares - turns night into day!

John

I am fond of looking through other hobby mags for info/ideas and recently saw this. A large pipe from the dust-making machine (bandsaw) led into top of a drum collector and another pipe led out of top of same to intake of rotary extraction with exhaust from same led into side of 2nd stage drum. Immediately below this inlet pipe is a disc of MDF/Plywood, tight fit in drum, with 2/3 circumference cut away in a crescent 1" or so wide and opposite inlet pipe. A filter is fitted just above the inlet pipe so that any further chips and dust now trapped and can only fall down into collector bag below baffle. The air goes up to an upper compartment with drum shaped fine filter and escapes to atmosphere. This is supposed to entrap even the finest and most dangerous wood/MDF dust and the vortex of air cannot lift the rubbish from bottom collector and clog final filter. Seems good idea which the wood - butchers could set up cheaply rather than pay fancy prices for commercial equivalent.

John

Edited By DMB on 25/03/2013 17:55:47

Hi All,

Thanks for your comments / suggestions - I will have a look into these. I'm thinking a seperate vacuum unit might be ideal as space is tight, and I can use to clean up as well!

With the units like the CamVac or the Trend units above, I was worried that there may be a fire risk due to sparks / hot metal particles from the grinding process going into paper filters. Do you think this might be the case?

Thanks,

James

When I bought my old Norton grinder it came with a "Drytex" unit works great though might not suit all as I think they were all three phase, this is mine running from a built in homemade static 2 to 3 phase convertor