Is there any advantage in installing an extractor fan in my garage workshop?
It measures 8ft x 8ft x 16ft. I cut a lot of MDF. I use a shop vac connected
to my router, saw etc, and a dust mask but still find fine dust settling
over a period of days. If it is useful, can anyone say what specification it
would need to be?
MTIA
JD
> PSS The shop vac filter will get clogged very fast with MDF. Get a spare
> filter or so and swap it out during cutting sessions, still cheaper than a
> lung transplant.
For a shop vac use the disposable shop vac vacuum bags. They have
many times the filter area of the shopvac filter and when they clog
they are usually full anyway. I have been using the same shop vac
filter for many years now since I switched to using bags.
> PSS The shop vac filter will get clogged very fast with MDF. Get a spare
> filter or so and swap it out during cutting sessions, still cheaper than a
> lung transplant.
For a shop vac use the disposable shop vac vacuum bags. They have
many times the filter area of the shopvac filter and when they clog
they are usually full anyway. I have been using the same shop vac
filter for many years now since I switched to using bags.
John,
My guess is that in the summer you can open the garage door. However
the winter may be too cold to do so. MDF is very nasty with the lungs. In
addition to the wood, there is a fair amount of glue mixed with the wood.
Who knows what's in the glue.
You idea is right, exchange the polluted air with cleanlier air. You either
can do this with a fan. ( Turn on BEFORE you start cutting to get the air
moving first) OR I would add in the ceiling a oversized filter system that
filters the air. These are made by JET, DELTA, GRIZZLY etc. The key here is
to start these up before you start cutting and let them run for about twenty
minutes or so after you stop. It takes a long time to filter out the small
stuff that will (not maybe) play havoc with your lungs over time. Yes this
seems to add up in the electric bill. but pay me now or pay me much more
later.
PS Depending are where you are , in the winter the simple fan approach will
pull in a lot of very cold air. Dress warm
PSS The shop vac filter will get clogged very fast with MDF. Get a spare
filter or so and swap it out during cutting sessions, still cheaper than a
lung transplant.
Paul
"john dolan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Is there any advantage in installing an extractor fan in my garage
> workshop? It measures 8ft x 8ft x 16ft. I cut a lot of MDF. I use a shop
> vac connected to my router, saw etc, and a dust mask but still find fine
> dust settling over a period of days. If it is useful, can anyone say what
> specification it would need to be?
>
> MTIA
>
> JD
>
Go to: http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/Index.cfm
Bill has an extensive site that thoroughly explains the hazards of wood shop
dust. How much ARE your lungs worth? Get a good dust collector. Your shop
vac only gets the big stuff that won't harm you. The insidious stuff is the
fine stuff you shop-vac just redistributes around. An exhaust fan will help
but your better off getting it at the source as much as possible.
--
Rich Harris
.
"john dolan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Is there any advantage in installing an extractor fan in my garage
> workshop? It measures 8ft x 8ft x 16ft. I cut a lot of MDF. I use a shop
> vac connected to my router, saw etc, and a dust mask but still find fine
> dust settling over a period of days. If it is useful, can anyone say what
> specification it would need to be?
>
> MTIA
>
> JD
>