Grinding Grit

[imagineer]

How do you guys control/contain grinding grit? In my small workshop, it’s a constant chore to clean up the grit that seems to find its way into every nook and cranny. Most every project I take on involves creating rooster tails of sparks, so figuring out a means of control is long overdue.

This past weekend I was modifying the front legs of my Ellis band saw to add large caster wheels. It was a “design-on-the-fly” type project that involved a lot of cutting, grinding, welding and more grinding. The steel for the project was all recovered from scrap materials, so there was a lot of cutting and grinding there too. By the end of the weekend, a 10’ radius around my weld table was covered in grinding grit.

I’m thinking of a few portable weld curtains on stands to place around where I’m making sparks, but I’m really limited on storage space. Maybe forego the stand and attach the curtains to the overhead trusses and roll them up when not in use?

 

[nadogail]

My shop air cleaner; made from a found box fan, 20X20 Furnace Filters (5) and Duct Tape has made dust control a thing of the past.

The box fan was discarded by a former tenant, but could be replaced for about $20, the 20X20 air filters came from Amazon; If I recall correctly a box of 6 was about $38 including delivery.

 

[imagineer]

Thanks but I'm not looking to control ambient dust. I'm looking for a means controlling the inevitable spray of sparks, and the residual metallic grit.

 

[Garcky]

Thanks but I'm not looking to control ambient dust. I'm looking for a means controlling the inevitable spray of sparks, and the residual metallic grit.

Hmm...about the only way is to move that work outdoors, I think. If there's a spray of sparks, you'll be cleaning up, no matter what you do.

 

[LeonardY]

You could try containment shrouds. Like this.

 

[gizardlizard]

I keep my shop clean. Doesn’t matter if it’s below zero or not, I only grind outside

 

[Nutria]

Hmm...about the only way is to move that work outdoors, I think. If there's a spray of sparks, you'll be cleaning up, no matter what you do.

+1. My approach has been to have everything on wheels so that this kind of work can happen outside. Sometimes it's a pain, but it's better than making the inside mess, particularly in a multi-function shop that includes woodworking.

 

[Garcky]

+1. My approach has been to have everything on wheels so that this kind of work can happen outside. Sometimes it's a pain, but it's better than making the inside mess, particularly in a multi-function shop that includes woodworking.

Roger that!

 

[ez-duzit]

Rather than broadcasting the grit and noise all over the neighborhood you could easily hang a curtain like you would a shower curtain, from the overhead, using a few hook eyes or spring clamps. This might contain the grit so as to not contaminate your entire shop. Then just a sweep up.

 

[racecougar]

Shop curtain and air filtration makes a huge difference.

Curtain deployed:



Curtain stowed:



Air filtration (big squirrel cage fan pulling through 20x20 filters. Discounting the effectiveness of this with regard to keeping a shop clean (as posted above) is a mistake. Pulling the haze and finer grit out of the air near the source prevents it from getting everywhere. I kick myself for not building this sooner.