Types of Dust In general, there are three types of dust-related debris that are commonly seen in wood shops.
Each of these types of dust requires a different type of dust control strategy.
• Sawdust - This is the most common type of dust seen in wood shops, and also the most dangerous.
Sawdust is created from sanding, or from working with cutting tools.
• Chips - Wood chips are fairly small, and are usually created by woodworking equipment such as electric planers.
Wood chips can also be created by shapers and routers.
• Shavings - Wood shavings are larger than wood chips, and are usually a by-product of working with a piece of wood with a hand planer.
Shavings don't present an airborne health hazard, but should still be controlled due to their obstruction of a work environment.
How to Control There are many ways to control the dust in your working environment, though the method that you use depends entirely on the size of your workspace, your equipment and your specific budget.
Here are some effective ways to control wood shop dust.
Respirator- One of the most important safety precautions that you should take when working in a wood shop is to wear a mask or respirator.
Given the damage that can occur from prolonged inhalation of dust, it's always best to be safe.
There are many effective respirators for purchase either online, or at your local hardware store.
Shopvac- If your woodworking isn't simply a casual hobby, odds are that you have already invested in a shop-vac.
However, you may not have known that these handy appliances are often adaptable enough to be used for effective dust control.
Many tool manufacturing companies now sell attachments that allow your entire dust-collection system to be powered entirely by your shop-vac.
Ventilation- A great way to help reduce the amount of dust in your woodshop is to provide some ventilation.
You'll be surprised at how much difference simply opening a window, door or skylight can make! If you wish, you can install an air circulation system to further cut down on dust.
Commercial Collectors- To help control the dust in your woodshop, you have the choice of several different commercial dust collectors.
This includes dual-stage dust collectors, single-stage dust collectors, and even dust collection systems that work by directly fitting as an add-on to your woodshop tools.
Depending on your specific needs, you may choose to purchase one of these units to help control the amount of dust in your woodshop.
Each of these types of dust requires a different type of dust control strategy.
• Sawdust - This is the most common type of dust seen in wood shops, and also the most dangerous.
Sawdust is created from sanding, or from working with cutting tools.
• Chips - Wood chips are fairly small, and are usually created by woodworking equipment such as electric planers.
Wood chips can also be created by shapers and routers.
• Shavings - Wood shavings are larger than wood chips, and are usually a by-product of working with a piece of wood with a hand planer.
Shavings don't present an airborne health hazard, but should still be controlled due to their obstruction of a work environment.
How to Control There are many ways to control the dust in your working environment, though the method that you use depends entirely on the size of your workspace, your equipment and your specific budget.
Here are some effective ways to control wood shop dust.
Respirator- One of the most important safety precautions that you should take when working in a wood shop is to wear a mask or respirator.
Given the damage that can occur from prolonged inhalation of dust, it's always best to be safe.
There are many effective respirators for purchase either online, or at your local hardware store.
Shopvac- If your woodworking isn't simply a casual hobby, odds are that you have already invested in a shop-vac.
However, you may not have known that these handy appliances are often adaptable enough to be used for effective dust control.
Many tool manufacturing companies now sell attachments that allow your entire dust-collection system to be powered entirely by your shop-vac.
Ventilation- A great way to help reduce the amount of dust in your woodshop is to provide some ventilation.
You'll be surprised at how much difference simply opening a window, door or skylight can make! If you wish, you can install an air circulation system to further cut down on dust.
Commercial Collectors- To help control the dust in your woodshop, you have the choice of several different commercial dust collectors.
This includes dual-stage dust collectors, single-stage dust collectors, and even dust collection systems that work by directly fitting as an add-on to your woodshop tools.
Depending on your specific needs, you may choose to purchase one of these units to help control the amount of dust in your woodshop.
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