Replies

1. 
   esch5995 | Dec 17, 2021 10:33pm | #1

   I'm a woodworker not a scientist. I've worked in shops that had so much dust in the air you couldn't see across the shop so I consider my dust collection effective if I can't see any dust in the air. If my tools aren't covered in dust the next morning that's good enough for me.

1. 
   Czech6 | Dec 17, 2021 10:57pm | #2

   That's the thing that's getting me - I can't see any dust in the air, but it sure as heck is settling on stuff. I know I can't get it to clean room standards, but there's gotta be a way to track it. My shop is tiny, all I have is a wall mounted DC with a 1 micron pleated filter, and one of the overhead dust filters. I use a festool hepa collector with the sanders, but there's still all sorts of crap in the air. I might have to build a sanding downdraft table finally, come to think of it.

2. 
   mikeinohio | Dec 18, 2021 12:41am | #3

   I'm using the DYLOS standard meter. It works well for me.

   
1. 
   Czech6 | Dec 18, 2021 01:28am | #4

   Thanks Mike, I see quite a few references to that model. I'll check into it further.

3. 
   rob_ss | Dec 18, 2021 01:53am | #5

   I'm with @esch on this.

   I don't think a dust meter would be of any value in improving dust collection in the home or even small commercial setting as it is impossible to have a fair test. Your work will vary too much.

   Instead have a look at the various points where the DC can be improved and spend on those first - do you have a canister filter on your DC for instance? These are WAY more effective than bag type collectors. Is your DC collection sealed? A small hole can blow a LOT of dust out.
   Are any blast gates working effectively? I have a bunch of crap plastic ones which only seal properly once then you have to pick the wadded dust out of the damn things. You can lose quite a lot of suction there.
   Could the collection at machines be improved? Collecting 100% of the dust is impossible but some are way better than others. An under-table collection scoop for a band saw for instance is well worth the effort. Ditto the drill press if you use it enough.
   There is nothing wrong with after-market mods to machines to improve collection and MDF makes excellent dust guides.

   If you did want more science, you'd probably be better off spending on an anemometer to measure the flow at each port in your DC system. You can also buy or make pressure monitors (compulsory in many commercial systems) but pressures are low enough to measure in CM of water so you can use a tube, water and food colour to check.

4. 
   john_c2 | Dec 18, 2021 04:27am | #6

   I'm with Rob and Esch. You already know your dust collection is inadequate. Do you really need to put a number on it? Work on collecting more dust, first and foremost.

   If I'm outside and getting rained on, I'll find a way to stay dry before thinking about measuring the rainfall.

5. 
   Czech6 | Dec 18, 2021 05:55pm | #7

   You guys make good points. I'll figure some enclosures first and monitor the dust level improvements by how much crap collects on horizontal surfaces.

   Thanks to all.

1. 
   esch5995 | Dec 18, 2021 07:21pm | #8

   Just remember even in homes without woodshops you need to dust fairly frequently.

1. 
   john_c2 | Dec 19, 2021 01:41pm | #10

   Wait . . . what?

6. 
   joeleonetti | Dec 19, 2021 01:28pm | #9

   Yes. I bought the Dylos system about 4 years ago and have used it to measure before and during woodworking operations to get an idea of how much wood dust is being created. Brought peach of mind to me.