Need dust collection system advice

[dtbingle]

Like a lot of people, my workspace is shared between cutting wood and automotive related projects. While a shopvac captures a fair amount of sawdust, it doesn't catch enough dust to prevent it from settling on benches, shelves, cars, toolboxes, etc.

Outside cutting is not always feasible considering the season of the year (freezing winters) and size of some tools. For example, a nice cabinet saw may be set up with additional outfeed tables and a large 4-6" dust hookup. Even if it does have casters, it's a pain to move the table and keep these accessories attached.

To what extreme do you have to go on dust collection in order to avoid constantly cleaning layers of dust off of toolboxes and project cars?

How well does a combination of a single stage dust collector and air filtration unit work (see below items)?
HF 2hp Dust Collector

WEN Air Filtration Unit
JET Air Filtration Unit

 

[gungatim]

the HF unit will not stop dust in any way shape or form as-is.

the box filtration units work to an extent, but not 100%.

as an example, I have a 2-stage cyclone from a professional shop exiting into a commercial filter connected to all of my machines in the woodshop. that is in addition to the jet unit that hangs over the bench.

I still have dust.

 

[Radix2]

I have a cyclone that as far as I can tell releases no measurable dust... but the issue is that it is super hard to get all the dust into the collector in the first place from many machines. Not to mention the bit of hand sanding, ect.

If you read the literature on commercial dust collection, you need huge airflows and baffles in the zone to get everything before it escapes - difficult but possible in a factory set up, just doesn't seem possible in a home shop.

So unfortunately the answer is separate rooms or dust covers.

Now, none of this should dissuade from a good dust collection system - it will make things 1000% better, but you will still get some coating on things.

 

[Corndoggeh]

My setup is this, HF 2 HP unit and the dust collection kit from HF
then one of these cyclones
(http://www.ebay.com/itm/280840027122?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT)
and have it setup where the cyclone picks up 90% of the dust, the bag on the bottom of the dust collector picks up another 5%, and the rest just gets vented outside.

This works for me especially since I live in Southern AZ where I have a swamp cooler for the garage which creates a lot of positive pressure and cools the room down, dust collector runs which creates negative pressure which then ***** in fresh air from the window coupled with pulling out the warm air around the tools (power tools are near the garage door where airflow is lower so its warmer). Surprisingly its a good balance to keep the garage at about 80-83 during the hottest part of the day which works for me.

 

[Homerr]

I've been toying with the idea of creating a 'dirty' area, a 6'x8'-ish corner of my garage, segmented off with shower curtains with a valence above that goes to the ceiling and installing a couple of cheap stove vent hoods off of craigslist. The idea is to create a negative pressure area for dust control and painting.

 

[MarlynOC]

Dust Deputy by Oneida

 

[SteveL]

If you are looking for a dust free environment, you may think about choosing a different hobby. I have a Jet dust collection system with blast gates at each piece of equipment along with a hanging Jet air filter and still have dust. I'm lucky in one way that the wood shop is in the basement so the cars don't get dusty. It would drive me nuts if I had to do both in the same area.

 

[dtbingle]

Ugh don't like what you all are saying, but guess it's good to expect/prepare for it then be surprised. Seems like the cheapest solution is to rig up some form of plastic curtain that can be dropped to separate the two areas.

 

[matt_i]

You can do pretty well in a woodshop with a cyclonic dust collector (standard woodworking issue, 2 stage if you like) and a hanging air filter to constantly pick dust out of the air.

That said, oiled surfaces be that the innards of IC engines or metal cutting machine tools, don't interact well with wood dust. They really need separate areas.