Dusty Area

The dusty area (some project background) is where most sawdust-generating in the workshop area should take place. This is to prevent this dust getting to more sensitive equipment, such as laser cutters (obviously) and metalwork machinery (mill, lathe) where sawdust could attract damp and cause rusting.

Looks Like

Below are some photos of the main tools within the dusty area. (both of these have gone and have now been replaced)

• 
  Table Saw
• 
  Wood Lathe,

For now, the area simply contains the dust created. Sweeping up and vacuuming is still necessary, as is the wearing of breathing-protective masks (available in the Safety Equipment area), especially when working with more hazardous material such as MDF, plywood, and some toxic natural woods.

We now have a large industrial dust / chip extractor hooked up to the Kity table saw, this chip collector has 3 inlets so could be used for other tools in the dusty area such as the planer, or a floor dust sweep so that dust and chips can be brushed and collected by the extractor.

Plans for the dusty area: The woodworking team are planning to relocate the sheet material storage, along with the CNC benches. This will enable the current wall to be cut down and rotated, which will double the size of the dusty area. This expansion will improve the safety of the area, increasing the space around the table saw e.t.c. Sanders will be arranged in a line thus allowing better dust extraction from the fine particle dust extractor (green P&J) Blast gates will be fitted, and an automatic system for the extraction is being considered to ensure it is used. AIr filtration will be looked at possibly using one of the centrifugal blowers from downstairs, hopefully this will reduce the amount of airborne dust and help prevent the settling of dust on the tools.

• infrastructure tag
• why it's cool
• why it's there!
• using it
• etiquette
  • other people's projects
• PPE gear
  • masks
  • goggles
  • ear defenders
• etc!