juhzeppi Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 First off, sorry if this is an inappropriate place to ask these questions, not sure where i should go. Also wanted to say amazing forum and work, much inspiration on this forum from its members. My question is based on the dust from bone carving. I am brand new to carving and wear a respirator but have been coughing like a madman lately, I realized it was because my beard did not allow a good seal ( common sense but completely went over my head). I am having some trouble and need peace of mind from you all if this simple setup is sufficient: I work now in the garage, by the door so pretty much outside. To my back is a large industrial blower to blow allot of dust outside and I use a half face respirator with no beard now(shaved it). With this setup is carving bone relatively safe? I really just need peace of mind so i can get back to carving instead of worrying all the time. I realize many use a suction system to capture dust but being that i am working outside in a ventilated area, is one of these necessary? Thanks for any help and suggestions, I will post some work shortly. j Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Bird Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 Hi Juhzeppi Quite right about the dust. I have a beard and to make my dust mask fit tight I modified it slightly by attaching felcrow to the back strap so I can make the mask as tight as I want. I cut the felcrow from a pair of warn out gloves and after cutting the back strap rivited the felcrow on to each of the straps. I also leave my studio door open when I'm carving and If I need to I have a fan beside me to blow any dust out the door.. There is still dust everywhere tho. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christophe Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 In tools and technical, Billy did, recently, one very complete post about safety issues and dust. http://www.thecarvin...ust-extraction/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 I do not recall where or when I saw discussion for a really basic kind of dust control, maybe here on TCP maybe not. An inexpensive box fan set to the side of your carving space, blowing away from you while sucking the air across your work space. (I am right handed, so my own collection unit is on my left side) The key is to have a filter attached, and if possible a really good small micron filter that catches the smallest particles that do the most harm. Attach it to the front of the fan with tape, velcro stick-ons, what ever works and is removable. Some wood working filters are washable and reusable. The fan speed and air volume can be matched to the amount and quality of the dust being produced by Low to High settings, as well as proximity to the dust creation source, nearer or farther. Filters rated for small micron dusts is important. Wearing a face mask and eye protection are also important. I am sorry to hear that you are coughing a lot. I hope that it is not related to the dusts. Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 i think the best method is to buy a full face reciperator. http://www.breathing...-mask-sets.html they are pricy but your lungs are worth it. alot of wood workers deal with alot more dust when making cabinets then you will ever see with any small carving. plus all the toxins that can be found with the finishes and sealents. a budy of mine has a realy nice hood it fits all the way around his head, has small fans to cool the face. in fact the only part that touches the head is the very top under the helmet and on the shoulders. it is desighned for wood, paint, chemical ect... only thing he can use it for it class 3 viruses in a labratory. but not by much. i have seen lots of carving set up's in my last few weeks. this one guy mounted a strong fan into his counter and blew the dust down to a filter and garbage bag. he also mounted a couple of dust collectors. one above him is standard box suction shop unit. that is for dust that gets air born since his wife has bad alergies. and he also has a hose hooked up close to his work so it sucks up the bulk of the dust that comes off the wood carving. that hose probably sucks up probably 90 percent of the dust anything else drops strait down to where he has his fan blowing the dust strait into his filter. then add the face mask he stays prity healthy. found this might be usefull then you can move the hoses to where you want them nice thing is they can suport itself over a small area http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=19697&site=ROCKLER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juhzeppi Posted June 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 Thankyou all for the information and tips you provided. I will definately save up for a dust collection system here in the next few months. I think a combination of a regular fan coupled with the setup that Billy explained with the flex form hoses will be a sick setup for the garage. Eventually ill look into a full face but for now its got to be one or the other, so ill start planning a dust collection system first. Janel, Not sure if you said this or not but I believe it was you that mentioned this is some post on this forum related to not using hand tools makes a piece look unfinished, or something to that extent. Dont want to put words in your mouth, If I recall it was something to that extent. That simple statement has not only helped getting my hooks to have sharper looking barbs but cuts done on dust so much compared to the dremal or sanding wheel. Thanks again all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 Would it be that I said that using a power tool can leave a piece looking unfinished? Hand tools can be controlled with very fine detail and can help straighten lines and curves and can produce flat planes and curved planes without the dings and facets that power tools leave. Hand tools do create some dust, but not in the airborne way that power tools do. I am happy that you found what I wrote to be helpful to you! Thank you for saying so. Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yloh Posted June 25, 2012 Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 If you don't mind the noise, get a wet/dry vacuum cleaner machine. It is very powerful. Yloh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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