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Dust Extraction Systems: Every Little Helps

By Alexander Mason

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 10Feb2012 Word count: 492 Viewed: 32 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Modern power tools have completely revolutionised the way woodworkers approach their craft. They have allowed workshops to thrive, produce more products, cut production times, and increase overall productivity. But with that the amount of wood waste and pollution that is created has increased in parallel. For workers, the potential hazards posed by air polluted with wood dust and toxic particles is a serious concern, and one which can only be allayed by investing in a dust extraction system.

Despite the technology that supports most dust extraction systems, it is simply impractical for a system to be 100% effective, and unfortunately, tool manufacturers also seem to consider wood waste as an afterthought. In part this is down to the type of tool in question. For instance, mitre saws tend to have a space just under the saw where dust can accumulate. Although the space is needed for the rotating blade, the design does not always factor in maintenance, and many workshop users result in having to fashion their own dust extraction methods.

Testing Efficiency

Before you go about measuring the air quality with sophisticated measuring equipment, a very simple way of determining the efficacy of your dust extraction system is to observe your workshop when sunlight is cast through the windows. The light highlights visible traces of dust on surfaces. (The same idea can be carried out with a torch or other light source, of course) If you see a generous collection of dust particles, you then know that your system is not very effective, or it needs maintenance.

Wood Chips and Wood Dust

Wood chips and dust are to the wood waste extraction world what the chicken and the egg are to the philosophy world, so when does a wood chip become wood dust? Opinions differ on the matter, but in terms of dust extraction and particle sizes, most agree that particles which are smaller than 25µ are considered to be dust. However, if you think that it is easily breathable, then it is best to treat it as dust.

One misconception that many continue to hold is that sanding alone produces wood dust. In actual fact, all forms of wood machining create wood dust.

Hazards

The human body is very adept at filtering out dust from the body, using a combination of hairs and mucus in the nose. However, it is the particles which manage to pass on to the lungs- the very fine particles- which cause the damage. Wood waste such as this, therefore, can cause problems such as asthma, dermatitis, and rhinitis.

Wood waste and dust can seriously affect the health of your workers and also damage and pose serious risks to workshop machinery, making the argument for ensuring adequate wood waste extraction very compelling indeed.

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