How to control dust from sanding?

[El Barto]

So at my work we have to repair composite boxes for customers. That often requires the box to be sanded down and repainted. The problem is that the dust created during sanding is getting everwhere. SO my question is; what is the best way to control the dust?

The sanding area is out in the open and the pieces that we sand are roughly 4' x 3'.

I am looking at a drawn down table, but I have no experience with them and I don't want to spend 4k of the company's money and then have it not work.

How about a 3-sided paint booth? Do they have enough pull to keep the dust under control?

My working budget is $2000 - $4000.

 

[pattenp]

I use orbital sander that has holes in the pad that has a vacuum connection and belt sander with a dust collection adapter. Use both with a shop vacuum and collect about 80% of the dust. I remove dust suspended in the air using an air filter system like this....

 

[Boomer343]

Look into what the new autobody repair shops are doing with downdraft dust control.

Also some of the better sanding tools have very good dust colection systems built in that are easy to work with. They feed over to a central vac. In my opinion you will need both a down draft and at the source pickup.

What you are spending is nothing compared to workers comp claims or other insurance claims let alone the cleaning costs.

If you are venting outside be sure to consider make up air ....

Have a look at Festool for some ideas on dust control.

 

[El Barto]

Thanks for the input. Our sanding area is the back-end of a 100,000 sqft open shop with 18' ceilings so I need something closer to the source of the sanding.

So far, I'm thinking down-draft table and sanders hooked up to a vacuum.

 

[Milton Shaw]

I made a downdraft table with 5/4 x 2" strips alternating with blocks the same size, set it up to use the 20"x20"2" pleated air filters and fitted it with a furnace blower under neath the top. The whole thing is about the size of a large workbench and works very well for sanding dust and mini lathe sawdust. A router throws the shavings too far for it to catch but for sanding it works very well. I have the blower blowing straight down against the floor with about a 3" gap all around the table from the 4" casters I have on it. If you have that kind of budget it should be easy to build. The top I did in 3 sections so that I can lift them out to change the air filters. I also cover the area I am not using to increase the air flow in the area I am using. A commercial radial blade selfcleaning blower from Grainger would be better than a used furnace blower. But get one with high static pressure to account for clogged filters.

 

[drmarkr]

Pics, Mr. Shaw???

 

[Zeke]

Thanks for the input. Our sanding area is the back-end of a 100,000 sqft open shop with 18' ceilings so I need something closer to the source of the sanding.

So far, I'm thinking down-draft table and sanders hooked up to a vacuum.

You might need to protect your area from wind or breezes before anything else. I think the 3 sided version will do that and collect the dust. If it's still where you work, then the downdraft has promise.

 

[DHCrocks]

what are you sanding with? I use a Bosch RO sander that has a port for dust collection. I hook up my shop vac to it and it does a pretty good job at keeping the dust down. It doesn't get everything but it sure helps a lot.

 

[1967lemans]

We use a down draft table and a clayton and a respirator to sand composites.
http://www.jclayton.com/home/BrowseCategorys.asp?DeptID=109

 

[El Barto]

DHCrocks: We are using Dewalt electric 1/4 sheet palm sanders with the ports for dust collection. I had it hooked up to a fairly large wet/dry vac but the guys didn't like the hose being attached so they unhooked it.

1967: How well does your down draft table work?

 

[3PedalMINI]

You really should drop the coin on festool sanders and their vacuums. Amazing dust collection really doesn't do them justice. Not to mention their vacuums have some way cool features to keep from clogging. 98% of the dust would be collected right at the source

 

[1948]

big house air filter duct taped to the back of a box fan running on high........ ok what do i win?

 

[BWS]

Gravity is your friend.......so go downdraft.And if wood isn't on the menu,would seriously think some kind of water trap.The chit will either float on top,to be skimmed.....or sink to bttm.Reuse water.

Cheap chit box fans/filters control alot of air,and work good.But like respirator's,they're more for nuisance dust........they do work.

The overhead units,if designed to enhance general airflow work fine.But they're sort of the last line of defense.And installed incorrectly can actually make the problem worse....by stirring the air in the wrong direction.

A spray booth setup has other bennies.....uhh,you can use it for spraying.Just have to figure the filter cost vs a water trap.And sanding vs spraying amounts to be done.And in general the notion of keeping spraying area's seperate from sanding stations?But it might work for you-all?

 

[terryo1965]

The quality of vac systems on sanders has improved quite a bit in the last few years. Festool was already mentioned but 3M and Dynabrade make really good air powered orbital sanders with killer vac systems. They make them to hook up to central vac stations, which seems to be the most efficient, or the tool can generate it's own vacuum. The other piece to the puzzle is the abrasive itself. Mirka Abrasives makes a product called "Abranet" and 3M has a product called "Clean Sand" that are both excellent for use with vacuum sanders. A down draft table is a great idea as well. A good one is expensive, but it is probably the most efficient way to collect the dust.

 

[UncleJoe]

Look hard at festool products. Their sanders are designed from the ground up with dust collection first. The sanders and matching vac system is a cut above anything I have ever used. Yes it is pricey but it really works. I have read of commercial furniture finishers sanding and finishing in teh same room and getting excellent results. The best thing is everyone must sell all Festool products at the same price and offer a no questions asked 30 day return policy. What do you have to lose? Order the sander that best fits your needs and try it on the job if it works you are all set and if not take it back for a refund. I know that in 30 days you will know if this is the system for you.

You can read more by googling the festool owners group. Lots of profession craftsmen from various trades, painters, carpenters, auto body etc. Lots of experience and they love their festool like some people love snap-on.

I have several of their products and each tool is the finest tool I have ever owned in that class. I currently own a sander, Circular saw and Jig saw and I love them.

 

[BWS]

Good stuff above..........

One thing to consider is just doing the sanding outside......

A buddy of mine has a cpl veneer mills in S. America.Think,big azz pole barns.IOW's,let mother nature take its course.....well that,and along with a "total loss" mentality,WRT to combustible problems.

I was sanding some rather nasty chit this am.........instead of taking the time to set up in the shop,I simply went out on the loading dock.Sanded.........letting the dust fly.Then went back inside?

 

[wnstwolf]

We are getting more and more into Nano products, the future asbestos nightmare, and have hepa down draft tables.. smaller ones searched on google should meet your budget and can be had with various different filters

 

[1967lemans]

DHCrocks: We are using Dewalt electric 1/4 sheet palm sanders with the ports for dust collection. I had it hooked up to a fairly large wet/dry vac but the guys didn't like the hose being attached so they unhooked it.

1967: How well does your down draft table work?

pretty good. we have a dirty room where we sand our composites