Woodworker's Journal 2008-32-2, страница 74
can usually improve a collection system by altering or upgrading either the machine layout or hood setup, the ductwork system or the collector itself. Central Dust Collection Primary collection via a dust collector and ductwork system servicing full-sized machines is by far the best step towards taming sawdust in any woodshop. But properly setting up an effective system can be a daunting — and difficult — endeavor. Most small-shop systems that are designed and installed by woodworkers (not dust collection experts) often fall short of their optimal performance. Luckily, you Fitting a preseparator such as the Oneida "Dust Deputy" ahead of a shop vacuum both prevents the vac's filters from clogging, and increases the chip-holding capacity of the setup. disconnect and reconnect the hose each time you change between machines is really convenient, especially if you're working between several machines at a time. Upgrade: Add a Preseparator A big shop vacuum may have the power to suck away large chips a portable thickness planer (up to, say, 13" wide) produces. But you can't plane many boards without having to empty the vac's smallish-size drum. An easy way to increase the unit's capacity is to install a pre-separation unit ahead of the vacuum. Oneida's "Dust Deputy" is a mini cyclone (like the ones found on full-sized industrial style dust collectors) mounted on top of a sealed drum (see photo, above). You simply connect a hose from the machine or power tool to the cyclone's side inlet and the vacuum's hose to the top exhaust port. The cyclone strains about 99 percent of dust and chips out and deposits them in the drum. This not only adds sawdust holding capacity to your shop vacuum, but it also prevents the vacuum's filters from being clogged by fine dust. This allows top vacuum performance even when the Dust Deputy's drum is very full. Change Your Machine Setup If your central system is already performing pretty well, with collection that's sub par at only a few machines, here are some tricks to try. Move big machines closer to the collector: Large chips and shavings collected from big thickness planers, shapers and wood lathes are the most difficult to capture and transport through ductwork. A relatively easy way to improve collection is to move the machine closer to the collector and connect it with a shorter branch duct, so chips don't have as far to travel. If the machine can't be moved, another solution is to disconnect it from the central system and use a small, separate collector or, if the machine is a benchtop unit, even a big shop vacuum located close by to collect the sawdust. Make sure there's enough air passing through the machine and into the ductwork: A common "rookie error" is to seal up every opening on a cabinet-style table saw to try and concentrate suction and improve dust collection. But before dust can be captured and transported through ductwork with Today's Shop continues on page 78 ... Chips and dust thrown out by this miter saw's fast-moving blade are more easily captured by an auxiliary hood, mounted behind the saw and connected to dust collection. 76 April 2008 Woodworker's Journal |
