I have been in woodworking in some form or fashion most of my adult life. But for the past 25 years have been working as a project manager and have been doing very little wood working. Just recently we purchased some property with a pole barn, and that has become my shop. As life has it, it filled up long before I could really think things through for this to be my shop.
The challenge, and hence my question, is that it has a dirt floor. I have been able to produce several pieces, but dust is a real challenge. Aside from pulling EVERYTHING out, and pouring a concrete floor, or constructing a wood floor, does anyone have suggestions as to how the dirt could be stabilized, to some extent, to keep the dust more in control?
Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Replies
Not what you want to hear, but pour the floor.
The "dust" is mineral grit that will get into everything including your machines and will dull your tools and spoil your finishes. The dirt floor is always going to be pumping moisture into the space which is also bad for business.
Vapor barrier, foam insulation, concrete slab, long-term happiness. While it is open run a few lengths of 1.5" plastic tubing back and forth under the slab in case you need to pull wire later. The $$ spent on the tubing will be made back in savings on wire runs up and over.
In addition to what MJ said, add some pipe under the slab for dust collection before you pour. Dust collection pipe next to electrical conduit is probably a good bet. It's a bunch more planning first, a wee bit of expense, but much better results.
I would worry a lot more about moisture from a dirt floor than the dust.
I have the same issue -- a barn with a dirt floor. I plan to pour the concrete floor but in the mean time, I had some old heavy rubber mats that kept some of the dust at bay. However, the dust is still there and the moisture is a pain. I think the concrete floor will be well worth the money.
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