Grinder dust collection systems?

[c5rulz]

Anybody made a dust collection system for their grinder(s).opcorn:

Silica dust and chrome aren't the best thing for you.

And yes I realize you can get a CBN wheel.

 

[anlrolfe]

Not sure for your grinder but something to consider. The "Smoke Eaters" that I use in our schools welding Lab have a corrugated aluminum pre-screen to extinguish embers of weld spatter. Particles bounce against the grating and get cooled as the pass through. It would be very, very bad to set your filter on fire.

Silica is very bad for the lungs. People who hammer drill, jack hammer and concrete saw don't take nearly the precautions they should. Years ago as an Electricians Apprentice I worked in 2-area cement plants. Even with masks I'd go home and blow a patio block out my nose.

Chromium and Nickel compounds can morph into https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hexavalentchromium/ when welded. Not sure if thats the case from grinding. If this is in your own personal shop you take your own chances but if this is a paid employee running the grinder consider the liability under OSHA requirements.

Lincoln Electric has some nice little smoke eaters that are the size of a shop vac that may meet your "dust" needs. If fumes are you concern I'd suggest a smoke EVACUATION system. Scrub it then shoot it outside.

 

[AKDoug]

Unfortunately, for the price of those Lincoln units you can pick up one of the Jet metal dust collection systems complete to handle two grinders. I am strongly considering one of the Jet units as my sharpening customers increase. Right now I am wearing a high quality dust mask when I grind.

 

[Philbert]

I always thought that a fireplace vacuum might be a good, inexpensive starter unit for grinding dust collection. Someone once suggested something like a large water pipe (a.k.a.'bong'), where the dirty air is pulled though water to cool any sparks and collect dust.

A large magnet can collect the iron particles.



I try to grind out doors, or in my garage with the door open, to keep the dust out of my basement shop. Not the best option for commercial chain sharpening (especially in Alaska!).

Philbert

 

[MCW]

The problem with chrome isn't direct toxicity but the fact that it doesn't break down inside the human body (lungs). Once an airborne particulate reaches a certain micron it can be sucked deep into the lungs and will never come out. It's not uncommon to see x-rays of people's lungs who have worked with a lot of concrete dust have whole areas of their lungs packed out with dust that is so deep they can't cough it up. Grinding stainless and chrome without a mask can cause exactly the same thing.

Here is some more information here...

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/how_do.html

 

[Rockjock]

I don't have a photo of it but my dad designed a simple spark collection unit. He used a 5 gallon pail with lid and a shop vac. Much like below just smaller. He used a fine metal mesh screen where the shop vac connection was and it worked flawless for him.

I use a old Levit canister vac with a mesh filter. No issues to date.