Dust Extraction

[Fallingup]

I enjoy making stuff with wood in my garage but the sawdust produced is a pain. It gets everywhere. Can anyone recommend a simple extractor that my various tools can be plugged into. Preferably something that doesn't break the bank? Something not too noisy and easily cleaned with a good capacity. My Wickes vacuum does a reasonable job but fills up quickly, is awkward to use when attached to a tool and is very noisy. Any thoughts?

[Timja]

Have you looked at Charnwood? Might be something in their range that works for you depending on budget/size required?
https://www.charnwood.net/products/home-workshop

[Sporky]

Depends if you just want chip extraction to keep the place tidy, or full-on dust extraction to protect your lungs too. My home workshop has a big cyclonic extractor and a proper aluminium ducting system, and that does both, but it was two grand or so and a lot of work (and sums) .

[Fallingup]

I would love a proper extraction system but couldn't justify the cost. The Charnwood site is interesting. Will have a look through that. Thanks for the suggestions.

[elanfan]

Whatever you end up with get yourself a sweepbox too as it makes cleaning up so much easier.

Face mask is probably a good idea too as some dust is carcinogenic.

[psi310398]

There are some YouTube clips showing DIY extraction systems and vortexes (vortices?), although I've not got very far with mine. Much can be done with fairly cheap plastic piping and workshop vacs.

I always also use a decent quality face mask, however.

[Sporky]

Fallingup said:

I would love a proper extraction system but couldn't justify the cost.

Absolutely understandable.

I'd definitely suggest getting something that filters to 1 micron or better - it's the small stuff that knackers your lungs.

You could add a separate cyclonic separator at a later date - something like a Dust Deputy:

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/collections/rout...

Or have one of those run off an industrial vacuum cleaner. That gets you dust extraction via the cyclonic separator, and chip collection, all in one unit.

This is part of my system. It's a bit over the top but the workshop stays very clean, and the extractor itself was secondhand which saved a big chunk.

[singlecoil]

OP needs to give more details about what sort of tools he is using, and do they have built-in dust extraction ports. Advice can only be vague at this point because the requirements are vague.

[Depthhoar]

Extract was an issue for me too. A fully plumbed in system would have been great but not feasible in my garage so settled on the earlier iterations of these two at quite modest cost:-

Mobile power tool extractor + shop vacuum in one: https://www.trenddirectuk.com/t35a-m-class-wet-dry...

Wood chip/sawdust extractor for my table saw/bandsaw/planer thicknesser/router table: https://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-craft-ac153e...

The Trend extractor is very good and makes using a power tool inside the house dust-free ...(almost!). I hooked it up to a pull-over crosscut saw when installing a hardwood floor in a bedroom and was seriously impressed with the extractor's efficency. Works well with a random orbit sander, too. It's a well priced and reliable tool (seen them for hire at various tool hire companies over the years) but you could spunk up to £1k on a Festool one that does pretty much the same job.....

[Slagathore]

Most of the power tool extractors are quite noisy. But really, if you don't mind pissing off the neighbours, you barely notice it when wearing ear defenders, which you probably should be doing anyway if your using tools for a long length of time.

I have a cheapish Fein one - https://www.axminster.co.uk/fein-dustex-25l-wet-dr...

It's fine for hobby use, but it is quite loud.

It connects up fine to all my tools so far without need for any adapters.

Another thing to look at would be an air filter - Charnwood do some reasonably priced ones. Axminster have some as well. They all look like the same Chinese stuff rebranded, so might be worth checking the specs to make sure you're not paying more for the same thing. Then you can leave that running during and after work to try and control dust a bit.

[Fallingup]

singlecoil said:

OP needs to give more details about what sort of tools he is using, and do they have built-in dust extraction ports. Advice can only be vague at this point because the requirements are vague.

Just the usual culprits. Table saw, circular saw, jig saw, orbital sander etc. Great advice and info given by all. Thank you! I haven't looked at Axminster before. There's lots of good stuff there. Have to say though that they are very expensive for what is essentially a hoover with a fancy filter. I'm thinking second hand quality stuff on ebay may be a good way to go. I don't mind fixing something if it's good quality rather than buying something new that's not so well made. Noise is a factor that I would like to keep to a minimum but is probably going to be enevitable. I'm afraid I tend not to use a face mask unless working on MDF. Which isn't that often. I smoke cigars anyway so am doomed! I'm more concerned with the sawdust covering everything as I work. Again, thanks for the info chaps.

[Fallingup]

Sporky said:

Absolutely understandable.

I'd definitely suggest getting something that filters to 1 micron or better - it's the small stuff that knackers your lungs.

You could add a separate cyclonic separator at a later date - something like a Dust Deputy:

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/collections/rout...

Or have one of those run off an industrial vacuum cleaner. That gets you dust extraction via the cyclonic separator, and chip collection, all in one unit.

This is part of my system. It's a bit over the top but the workshop stays very clean, and the extractor itself was secondhand which saved a big chunk.

That's very impressive! Looks like my dream set up. Can I ask how the various tools are connected. Are there tubes attached to the main aluminium tube that fit to the power tools? And do you block off the ones not being used to keep the suction power?

[Sporky]

Good questions.

There are drops from the main duct to each machine (and the bench); the idwa is to get as close as possible to the machine's dust port(s) using rigid duct.

The bandsaw is all rigid, the other tools have some flexible hose.

Each drop has a blast gate - basically a metal plate through a slot - so I only have the "live" machine extracted. But the ducting gets smaller as it gets away from the extractor so that the air velocity stays high enough, and the extractor can cope with at least two machines at a time. There're some sums involved, but nothing too complex. There are two factors; total volume in cfm (how fast the extractor pulls air) and static pressure (how hard it sucks if you put you hand over an outlet) and. Ost extractors only give you one - once they're loaded up they don't work to spec.

At tt he previous workshop I had a wall-mounted extractor with 52mm duct - better than nothing, but it just couldn't cope with the planer/thicknesser.

In a Top-Trumps sense I'd say go for a minimum of 1 micron filtration (HEPA if you can), at least a 100mm main port (mine's 200mm) and 2hp or better. If you don't mind hassle then a big shop vacuum and a dust deputy will do a decent job.

[felixgogo]

I went with a simpler solution - a Bosch Vacuum Extractor. It comes with the usual pipes and attachments, but the end attachment plugs directly into the vacuum port of my Kreg jib, Bosch Sander, Bosch plane, saw etc.

Admittedly I have to move it from tool to tool, but in a small tandem garage it's fine. I have it set up at the end of the workbench right where I do 90% of my cutting and sawing.

[biggiles]

Fallingup said:

singlecoil said:

OP needs to give more details about what sort of tools he is using, and do they have built-in dust extraction ports. Advice can only be vague at this point because the requirements are vague.

Just the usual culprits. Table saw, circular saw, jig saw, orbital sander etc.

For those tools, then a "shop vacuum" should be fine. You don't generally need a full-on chip extractor unless you're running a planer or thicknesser, which produce an enormous volume of chips. And assuming it's a smaller-end table saw.

You shouldn't need to change the bag / empty the body very often with those tools you've mentioned. If you are, then either get a Dust Deputy / cyclone filter, or just get a second vacuum :-) e.g. the bigger Screwfix Titans have auto-power-on and are trivial to empty, and are cheap enough to have a couple around.

[OMITN]

+1 for a portable extractor that you just attach to the tool you're using.

I have a Festool Midi (I was feeling flush and 40 when I bought it) that doubles as the most excellent car vaccum.

That said, I still wear a mask when cutting or routing MDF.

There's no need to go wild - a Sheppach extractor (also sold by Aldi) is still pretty good and available from Screwfix. Check out Peter Millard @10minuteworkshop on YouTube for a comparison vs Festool.