What is a good broom for the garage?

[iScream]

I need to get myself a decent broom, or maybe two. Can anyone recommend a specific brand and or type that will sweep up fine dust from cutting MDF and sanding fiberglass without having to cover the same spot 10 times.

And what about sweeping up the edge where the floor meets the wall? Is there something that works especially well for that?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[gnpenning]

The one the MIL rides ....

I can't recommend a good broom but, I would strongly suggest a dust collection system. If you can swing it, breathing MDF and fiberglass is death on the lungs. If you aren't doing so already at least a dust mask.

DC's with a cyclone a head of the DC works awesome. You can make your own cyclone cheap. Used DC on CL are a good way to start.

 

[iScream]

The one the MIL rides ....

I can't recommend a good broom but, I would strongly suggest a dust collection system. If you can swing it, breathing MDF and fiberglass is death on the lungs. If you aren't doing so already at least a dust mask.

DC's with a cyclone a head of the DC works awesome. You can make your own cyclone cheap. Used DC on CL are a good way to start.

I'm pretty good about wearing a dust mask. I've got one of those Dust Deputy cyclones for my shop vac but I can't honestly tell you I use it like I should. And it doesn't help when I'm hand sanding.

I had a Jet dust collector I used with my old Jet hybrid saw. It worked pretty well but nothing seems to stop MDF dust well enough to not need to sweep some up.

 

[eborcim]

How about a Libman floor dust mop? A 24" or 36" mop head will make quick work of a shop floor with minimal dust aeration. Plus you should be able to treat the head with some dust attractant.

 

[redwrench60]

It doesn't get any better than a good old full sized corn broom with a nice tall wood handle. They sweep large debris and fine dust well and last a long time. The long handle lets you sweep without bending over and they do well in corners. Get one at Lowes or Home Depot in the commercial cleaning supplies section for about $10. While you're there get a good metal dustpan too so ashes or welding/grinding/torching slag won't melt or warp it.

 

[RatZ1LLa]

I have a few older Harper brooms/brushes and a new bench brush (Awesome). They seem to do ok at pushing fine particles.

Something like this, but really old... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BYE9MU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[onefstsnake]

Ive been using a wide synthetic push broom similar to the one mentioned above. Once it gets nasty I can wash it out easily. For corners and walls I use just a cheap angle broom.

I do find myself using a blow gun a lot to blow junk off the floor and out of the shop.

 

[TomB19]

As far as I'm concerned, the typical cheap, course, broom is entirely useless in a wood shop.

I prefer a fine, natural hair broom but keep in mind, there will always be dust on concrete. You can sweep it 100 times and always get a fine layer of dust. When the dust turns from tan to gray, you're sweeping concrete dust so it's time to stop.

Also, it's nice to have a floor sweep fitting on your dust collector. I made mine out of a heating vent boot and taped off the top 3" with speed tape. I just brush it close and it gets sucked in.

 

[Zartan]

This Quickie is my absolute favorite for the garage.

 

[cashishift]

Whatever is made in the USA.

 

[Davefr]

Get a bristle that's a blend of Tampico and Horsehair.

The Tampico will push the course stuff and the Horsehair will get the fine dust.

Find a supplier that caters to janitors (not a homecenter!!)

 

[Lassen Forge]

I have an old, soft hardwood floor pushbroom (like the harper, kinda) and it works *really* good for the shop floor. It's like the ones they used to use on School Gym Floors. I also have a "kitchen broom" - tho short bristles and synthetic, not corn - for the edges and corners, to get stuff to the middle and to pick stuff up. I think I got both at a Garage sale for a couple bucks.

 

[dlcwent]

I have an old, soft hardwood floor pushbroom (like the harper, kinda) and it works *really* good for the shop floor. It's like the ones they used to use on School Gym Floors. I also have a "kitchen broom" - tho short bristles and synthetic, not corn - for the edges and corners, to get stuff to the middle and to pick stuff up. I think I got both at a Garage sale for a couple bucks.

Exactly what I have too Lassen. I think you need both for a good job. I've never seen a push broom do well in the corners.

 

[ZRX61]

Leaf blower

 

[hangfirew8]

Get a bristle that's a blend of Tampico and Horsehair.

The Tampico will push the course stuff and the Horsehair will get the fine dust.

Find a supplier that caters to janitors (not a homecenter!!)

This, took the words out of my mouth. Picked up mine, at all places, at a yard sale, guy was closing down his business and retiring.

 

[WanderingSol07]

I use an upright vacuum cleaner (bag type) to sweep the garage. Appear to have less dust in the air (and on the cars) than when I used a broom.

 

[iScream]

How about a Libman floor dust mop? A 24" or 36" mop head will make quick work of a shop floor with minimal dust aeration. Plus you should be able to treat the head with some dust attractant.

A dust mop hadn't even crossed my mind but it's not a bad idea. I would probably have to do a better job than I normally do now of cleaning up any chemicals/oil I spill or splatter though.

 

[iScream]

It doesn't get any better than a good old full sized corn broom with a nice tall wood handle. They sweep large debris and fine dust well and last a long time. The long handle lets you sweep without bending over and they do well in corners. Get one at Lowes or Home Depot in the commercial cleaning supplies section for about $10. While you're there get a good metal dustpan too so ashes or welding/grinding/torching slag won't melt or warp it.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I had to search for corn broom on amazon to even know what you were talking about. I've used them plenty of times in the past but I think we called them straw brooms when I was growing up. Had no idea they were made from corn.

The prices are sure nice. Maybe I'll pick one up for getting into those corners.

 

[iScream]

I have a few older Harper brooms/brushes and a new bench brush (Awesome). They seem to do ok at pushing fine particles.

Something like this, but really old... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BYE9MU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Ive been using a wide synthetic push broom similar to the one mentioned above. Once it gets nasty I can wash it out easily. For corners and walls I use just a cheap angle broom.

I do find myself using a blow gun a lot to blow junk off the floor and out of the shop.

Get a bristle that's a blend of Tampico and Horsehair.

The Tampico will push the course stuff and the Horsehair will get the fine dust.

Find a supplier that caters to janitors (not a homecenter!!)

I have an old, soft hardwood floor pushbroom (like the harper, kinda) and it works *really* good for the shop floor. It's like the ones they used to use on School Gym Floors. I also have a "kitchen broom" - tho short bristles and synthetic, not corn - for the edges and corners, to get stuff to the middle and to pick stuff up. I think I got both at a Garage sale for a couple bucks.

Exactly what I have too Lassen. I think you need both for a good job. I've never seen a push broom do well in the corners.

This, took the words out of my mouth. Picked up mine, at all places, at a yard sale, guy was closing down his business and retiring.

This kind of push broom is pretty much what I had in mind. Thanks for the advice on Tampico and horse hair. That makes sense.

 

[iScream]

Also, it's nice to have a floor sweep fitting on your dust collector. I made mine out of a heating vent boot and taped off the top 3" with speed tape. I just brush it close and it gets sucked in.

I like the idea of attaching a sweep contraption to a dust collector. Not really sure why I haven't thought about doing this with my shop vac and cyclone setup.

 

[hangfirew8]

I like the idea of attaching a sweep contraption to a dust collector. Not really sure why I haven't thought about doing this with my shop vac and cyclone setup.

Depends on if you want clean sawdust or not.