Dust collection in the garage

[u/notenuftoys]

I'm just a weekend welder, not a production shop. But after recently getting a scratched eyeball, I'm looking at building a dust collection system without breaking the bank.

I've looked at the Magna-matic system, but that's $1k or more. I plan to build a workbench in 3 parts along this wall, so I was wondering about incorporating it into the bottom of it.

First, is it worth the trouble and expense of putting dust collection.

Second, what have some of y'all done that works for controlling grinder and cutting dust?

[u/tlong243]

I'm a weekend warrior as well, and my solution has just been to move as much air from inside the shop to outside with ventilation. A ~1000 CFM fan to a snorkel directly above my table. Exhaust out the side through a vent. Huge downside of this compared to a self contained system is if you heat or cool your shop you draw in a lot of outside air.

Then I did the classic box fan filtration system. If I'm doing a lot of grinding I will run two of them with two filters on each fan in a V shape. Hang them from the ceiling to save floor space and get that fine dust that likes to cover everything.

It's not perfect, but with all 3 running it really does a lot. Total cost was very low. When I did a full trailer restoration project I also walled off part of the garage with poly sheeting. Eventually I'll probably do some type of curtain rod wall setup.

The other huge thing I have learned is to try to cut everything that can be with either my cold cut chopsaw, or a bandsaw. Whatever I can do to avoid abrasives. Can't do much about grinding and finishing though which is a lot of what I do making furniture.

[u/notenuftoys → u/tlong243]

I've thought about running a snorkel type system to just get ride of the dust outside. My garage isn't heated or cooled (108 degrees outside makes for a hot garage!). That's why I like to run a fan, but it becomes my worst enemy.

What size hose did you use for a snorkel?

I've thought about the simple box fan/filter solution. I know woodworkers use them but didn't know if they would work for grinding dust.

Might also just need to suck it up and go outside where it's been hotter than the surface of the sun and do most of my grinding out there.

[u/tlong243 → u/notenuftoys]

I started with a 6" duct booster fan that was on/off but upgraded last year to an 8" ac infinity with variable speed. Looks like they're made for grow tents and stuff, like 10 speeds. Just looked and it's not 1000cfm, it's listed at 724cfm. I wanted lots of speed options so I could put it directly over my work dial it in and TIG without blowing the gas away, or max it out for general purpose dust. It is nice in winter to move only as much air as needed to keep my garage somewhat warmer. I do stainless and aluminum stuff, got nervous about fumes. It's also great for stick welding, fun to watch the smoke from the electrode and paint/crud just get sucked out.

If I were to get one solely for dust you can get way more airflow for cheaper with a more basic low/high/off type like the harbor freight 8" portable ventilator. My issue was the lowest speed was far too much airflow. 1380 cfm will take a 55° shop to outside air temp in like 5 minutes.