In any kind of woodworking or finishing, wood dust and shavings become an issue. Moreover, it's a good idea in general to be mindful of clean air and good ventilation in your work area.
For controlling particulate air contaminants like sawdust, there are dust-collection systems that can be integrated into the air-handling system for the workshop facility; some can even be integrated into the workstations and tools themselves. In such systems, each piece of stationary equipment is outfitted with its own suction device that collects and removes dust and contaminants right from the source. The air and contaminants pass through a filtration system that traps the particulate matter and recirculates clean air into the room.
The Tool Dock® modular workstation system -- featured in the previous segment -- can be equipped in that way (figure A). One feature of this add-on system is an extension that can be used to house a shop vacuum (figure B).
On the side of the compartment that houses the vacuum is a port from which a hose can be run and connected to a vacuum system (figure C). Another option is a dust-collection bin beneath the workstation surface insert (figure D) to which the hose can be attached directly. The system shown in the program costs around $75 and comes with enough tubing, connectors, vacuum gates and hose mounts to equip a good-sized home workshop (figure E). Installation is simple: follow the directions provided in the kit by the manufacturer. Following are the basic steps: - Begin by measuring and marking a few inches above the workstation for placement of the vacuum tubes, making certain that you provide adequate clearance for your tools. Make a tick-mark every few feet, then connect the marks with a single line using a level to make certain that the horizontal lines are straight and the runs for the tubing will be level (figure F).
- Mark the locations where the benchtop tools will be mounted on the work surfaces so you can work around them when locating the vacuum gates and hose mounts (figure G).
- You'll need to cut some of the sections of tubing to customize the fit for your workspace. The plastic tubing can be cut easily with a hacksaw (figure H).
- Following your marks, secure the tubing to the wall using the mounting brackets provided (figure I). It's a good idea to secure the brackets into wall studs for added stability where possible.
- Where it's not possible to tap into the wall studs, another alternative is to use plastic wall anchors to stablize the mounting screws. Simply predrill holes in the drywall, tap the plastic anchors into the holes and secure the brackets by installing them with mounting screws into the plastic anchors.
- As installation proceeds, install the vacuum gates (figure J) at their predetermined locations.
- At each station, flexible hose can be attached at each gate and then directly to the tool (figure K), or they can be left loose to act as a vacuum hose for cleanup at each station (figure L).
- Once the system is installed, simply connect the shop-vacuum hose to the end of the run, and the system is ready to go. At each tool station, the gates are equipped with dedicated valves so that each station can be disengaged individually from the system when the tool at that station is not in use.
RESOURCES :
The Small Wood Shop (The Best of Fine Woodworking)
Author: Helen Albert (Editor)
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561580619
Special thanks for DIY's The Ultimate Workshop
Popular Woodworking magazine
Web site: www.popularwoodworking.com
American Tool
Web site: www.americantool.com
Black and Decker
Web site: www.blackanddecker.com
Ryobi Technologies Inc.
Web site: www.ryobitools.com
Stanley Tools
Web site: www.stanleyworks.com
Vermont American
Web site: www.vermontamerican.com
Setting Up Shop: The Practical Guide to Designing and Building Your Dream Shop
Model: 156158360X
Author: Sandor Nagyszalanczy
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
The Workshop Book
Model: 1561582719
Author: Scott Landis
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
How to Design and Build Your Ideal Woodshop
Model: 1558704817
Author: Bill Stankus
Popular Woodworking Books
Setting Up Your Own Woodworking Shop
Model: 0806983140
Author: Bill Stankus
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
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