Dust Collection, Safety and Plant Operation at WOODWEB's Knowledge Base

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New Shop Dust Collection

A shop owner re-thinks everything from the ground up as he ponders the dust-collection system for his planned new shop. June 15, 2014

Keeping Dust Out Of Office

Strategies for isolating the office air from the shop air to control dust. April 19, 2015

Blind woodworker's story

A blind cabinetmaker tells the story of his education and career in woodworking. (From WOODWEB's Cabinetmaking Forum) January 21, 2003

Small-Footprint Dust Collection?

Shop owners ponder the problem of how to fit adequate dust collection into a small space. June 15, 2014

Automated Controls for a Variable-Speed Dust Control Setup

Here's an extended discussion of the instrumentation and controls needed to enable a dust collection system to adjust to changes in the shop machinery in use from moment to moment.June 15, 2014

Troubleshooting an Under-Loaded Dust Collector Fan Motor

When a dust collector fan keeps drawing too many amps and trips the circuit breaker, troubleshooting involves comparing the system's capacity to its actual operating load. April 29, 2006

Adding a Long Duct Run to a Dust Collection System

A woodshop owner tries to figure out how to tie a distant machine into his dust collector, and decides to buy a dedicated vac instead.June 15, 2014

Sawdust as fuel

Building a sawdust-fired boiler to heat kiln and shop. November 18, 2002

Burning Sawdust in a Wood Stove

You can burn sawdust for heat, but the stories in this thread make it clear that the practice is a risky one. February 15, 2015

Shopping for a Small Dust Collection System

A small woodshop owner gets advice about his choices in dust collection systems. June 15, 2014

CNC Safety Choice: Pressure Mat or Laser Sensors?

CNC owners weigh the pros and cons of various operator safety shutoff systems. January 4, 2014

Straight-Line Rip Saw Operation

An extended discussion of safety and operating technique for straight-line ripsaws. May 28, 2006

Troubleshooting "Chip Beat" with a Small Moulder

Small dents in the finished moulding are a well-known issue, caused by chips and typically related to ineffective dust collection. October 27, 2013

Eyewitness: Injury

Scary stories about careless acts and bad consequences. June 28, 2005

Dust Collection for Orbital Sanders

High-velocity vacuum dust collection for hand sanders is a separate system from the low-velocity system used for larger machinery. June 15, 2014

Collecting Shavings from a Cyclone

Here's a long, detailed thread developed as a woodworker tries to create a system to collect shavings from the bottom of a cyclone and store them in a large bin.September 3, 2011

Voltage and Amperage for a Postform Heater

A close look at the plug gives clues to the voltage and amperage of the device. February 1, 2015

Four Dust Collection Zones, or One Big Unit?

For a large new shop, is it smarter to install one central dust collection system or a set of smaller independent systems? January 14, 2008

Shop lighting

Best bulbs for brightness and efficiency. February 12, 2003

Thoughts After a Severe Accident

After a shop worker is very badly injured by a machine, the owner seeks feedback from colleagues. April 7, 2008

Making Stove Pellets from Shavings and Sawdust

A look at the technology for turning wood waste into wood-stove briquettes or pellets. Is it practical? January 25, 2010

Attention, Safety Practices, and Loose Nuts

A woodworker describes how a moment's inattention damaged his machine — but luckily, not him. The tale sets off a long thread of similar stories (including one fatality) and lessons learned. November 16, 2011

Safety Glasses in the Shop

The owner gets advice as a new eye protection rule creates a labor-management dynamic in a woodshop. August 27, 2009

Blowing Shavings into a Trailer

Tips on modifying your dust collection system to convey wood waste to a large trailer. June 15, 2014

Setting Up Dust Collection for a Garage Shop

A detailed discussion covering the "hows and whys" of effective dust collection in a small woodshop. June 30, 2007

Smoking Policies for Wood Shops

How should wood-shop employers deal with the issues raised by employees who smoke? The question leads to a lively debate. December 2, 2006

Evaluating Small Dust Collector Equipment

Low-end dust-collection equipment is designed for the hobby shop, and the ratings don't mean much. But they can still work for a small professional application. Here's a detailed look at how to set up a budget DC for decent performance. August 14, 2007

Sliding Table Saw Safety

Here's an extensive set of tips and cautions for working safely with a sliding table saw. December 2, 2010

Choosing Dust Collection for a New Building

A somewhat rambling conversation about what's involved in designing a new dust collection system. June 15, 2014

Safety Gear and Equipment to Reduce Kickback Risk

This discussion of kickback in the shop, its causes, and how to prevent it, includes several very frightening personal accounts of accidents. January 19, 2012

Finger Versus Tablesaw

A cautionary tale of a seven-stitches encounter with a tablesaw blade sets off a discussion of accidents had and lessons learned. April 25, 2006

Hot Weather and Shop Productivity

Advice on taking care of the workforce during a heat wave. August 19, 2013

Cyclones and MDF Dust

Replacing a cartridge filter with a large filter bag pays off for a woodshop owner. April 18, 2015

Dust Contamination of CNC Cooling Equipment

A word of warning: Cooling fans or air conditioners attached to your CNC can fill with dust and catch fire. December 28, 2014

Upgrading a Small Dust Collector

Detailed advice on beefing up the capacity of a dust collection system in a small shop. September 24, 2006

Miter-Saw Kickback Injury Story

Miter-saw one, woodworker zero. Pain. Injury. January 19, 2011

How to Be Ready for OSHA

Either the safety agency itself, or a private consultant, can help you identify hazards and avoid possible penalties — before you're surprised by a "real" enforcement inspection. April 20, 2007

Ductwork Choices for Dust Control

A woodshop owner considers the cost and value of PVC ducts as compared to various metal duct options. January 3, 2012

Chip Removal and Planer Finish Defects

A classic defect with a well-known cause: chips recirculating around the cutter head and being pounded into the wood. But how to fix it? May 15, 2012

Chip Dents, Cutter Choices, and Dust Extraction

Dents made by chips being pressed into the wood by the planer or jointer knives are a common problem. Here's a thorough discussion of causes and remedies.April 15, 2013

Recovering from a Shop Fire

Woodweb forum steps up with well-informed advice about how to cope with a catastrophic fire in the wood shop. April 16, 2009

Shop Maintenance and Cleaning

How to get your crew behind the idea that "a clean shop is a safe and happy shop." May 6, 2006

Relief for Hurting Feet

Long days in the shop are rough on feet. Here, woodworkers share sympathy and suggest practical ways to ease the pain. September 7, 2006

Dust Collection System Design

Duct choice and duct sizing are key elements of a working dust collection system for a woodshop. June 15, 2014

Building Your Own Spray Room -- On a Budget

Technical advice and alternatives for a small operator building a new shop. February 25, 2005

Dust Collection System Component Sizing

A long conversation on sizing ducts, blast gates, et cetera to match a small cyclone dust collector. January 28, 2009

Distributing Dust and Shavings in a Long Bin

Ideas from experience for augers, paddles, or blowers to spread out shavings from the dust collector system through an entire large bin. March 4, 2009

Wearing Gloves While Doing Woodworking

Gloves create a risk of the hands being drawn into machinery. June 26, 2009

Variable Speed Fans for Dust Collectors

A variable speed fan and controller can save energy during times when the dust collector is not required to operate at full capacity. October 16, 2012

Aerotech Router Bit Wear & Tear

Is the Aerotech dust-vacuum CNC attachment heavy enough to increase spindle wear? January 2, 2012

Cyclone Versus Single-Stage Dust Collectors

An in-depth comparison of cyclone and single-stage dust-collector technology, with some details about fan blade characteristics and some thoughts on filter cleaning. August 14, 2007

Dust Collection and Planer Noise

Airflow from a new dust collection made a planer noisier, but switching to helical insert tooling made it quieter again. January 12, 2015

Shop Heat Solutions

Ideas and suggestions for heating a woodworking shop. March 26, 2008

Lyme Disease as a Risk for Foresters and Loggers

Here's a long discussion about the risk of Lyme disease for people who work in the woods, and about precautions and treatment. June 14, 2014

Heating a New Shop and Spray Booth

Radiant heat could be ideal, but the spray room will need filtered fans. February 25, 2005

Combining Dust Collectors

Pros discuss using multiple blower setups for power and flexibility. May 10, 2005

Preventing Back Pain

Seasoned cabinetmakers discuss shoes, boots, floor mats, exercise, and other back-pain prevention strategies. November 30, 2009

Safety Gear and OSHA Inspections

Shop owners compare perspectives on how to be ready when OSHA drops by. March 3, 2010

Calculating Airflow and Velocity in Ducts Joined by a Wye

Detailed advice on how to set up a two-duct dust-collector system for good air-flow volume and air speed. December 6, 2006

Sawstop Stories

Cabinetmakers discuss the value of a Sawstop table saw, which trips and stops before cutting off your fingers. August 12, 2014

Safe sprayroom setup

Advice on everything from finish type to disposal of hazardous materials. December 17, 2003

Shop ceiling heights and heating types

Suggestions on minimum ceiling height and more for a new cabinet shop. August 13, 2002

Fire Code Hassles in Shop Remodel

Here's a cautionary tale: connecting two shop buildings trips the square-footage trigger for fire sprinkler requirements, and it's the surprised owner who gets burned. February 19, 2008

Container Material for Solvents

What kind of plastic or metal containers are okay to use for storing and transporting olvents? April 4, 2011

Glue Spreader Can Be a Career Ender

A severe glue spreader accident is a sobering reminder of the risks of cabinet work. (Caution: Graphic and disturbing images.) June 4, 2012

Plastic Bag Dust Collector System

A woodworker develops his concept for a dust collection system pairing filter bags with plastic collection bags. August 3, 2009

Forced-Air Shop Heat Versus Radiant Heating

A few thoughts on the effect different heating system types have on comfort for people, and conditions for wood or machinery. April 10, 2008

CV and formaldehyde fumes

The wrong respirator can lead to serious health problems. July 22, 2003

Allegic reaction to sawdust

Dangers associated with breathing sawdust and saftey precautions to take. August 1, 2001

Codes for Dust Collection in a Home Shop

Navigating the building codes for a woodshop over a residential garage is tricky. July 22, 2013

Air Velocities and Duct Sizes for Main and Branch Runs

Large dust collection systems require complex airflow calculations. What do all the numbers mean? April 30, 2006

Vacuum Clamping -- Save Time, Save Money!

March 19, 2002

Converting power to three-phase

Things to consider when converting power from single-phase to three. June 24, 2001

Moving and Unloading Machinery

Practical advice for getting a large, heavy, and expensive piece of industrial equipment off the truck and into place in the shop. October 12, 2007

Table Saws and Safety

Shop owners discuss table saw dangers, practicality issues with blade guards, and other safety equipment options. July 2, 2008

Almost Cut My Thumb Off

A close call with the table saw sparks a conversation about safe equipment and careful practices. January 11, 2008

Tablesaw Dust Collection

Table saws pose a pesky dust collection problem. Here's a handful of tips and suggestions. December 30, 2005

Dust Collector Location for Widebelt Sander

This discussion about suspending filter bags above a machine brings up some good points about the value of a cyclone for catching the majority of sanding dust before it hits the filter. August 31, 2010

Tablesaw blade safety device

Does a new sawblade-stop product really protect your fingers? July 29, 2003

Working Safely with Ipe

Dust and oils from Ipe wood are allergenic and toxic. You need serious personal protective gear if you work with Ipe. Here's more info. May 16, 2008

Troubleshooting a Cyclone Setup

A woodshop owner struggles with a dust collector whose filter quickly clogs with fine sanding dust. October 26, 2011

Hazards of Pressure Treated Wood

Advice on safety precautions when using treated wood. October 25, 2006

Static charge on wood

Troubleshooting and resolving static problems on freshly planed boards. October 9, 2002

Small-Capacity Dust Collection System

A woodworker with a small, one-man furniture shop gets advice on a dust collection setup for his minimal needs. January 24, 2014

Controlling Woodshop Dust

Cabinetmakers discuss vacuum tool attachments, filters, fans, and whole-shop dust collection systems. February 9, 2006

Table-Saw Safety Accessories

How to keep a table saw safe, and why it matters. May 22, 2006

Improving Table Saw Dust Collection

Advice on how to improve dust collection for a table saw, especially when using a zero-clearance throat plate next to the blade. January 8, 2010

Woodshop Dust Collection System Specs

This discussion supplies a wealth of detail on duct sizing, vacuum capacity, cyclone separator design, and more. November 25, 2005

Cleaning Dust Collection Bags

A discussion of filter types, filter effectiveness, and on whether cleaning filter bags can improve performance. July 29, 2007

Count Your Fingers

A woodworker describes the accident that took off the ends of two of his fingers, and a discussion ensues about the lessons learned. November 10, 2006

Separating Air and Chips in a Dust Collection System

A shop owner gets advice on how to keep his dust collection system's exhaust side from blowing the tarp off his wood waste pile.September 29, 2014

A Cautionary Tale: Shop Fire Destroys Building and Burns Owner

This thread will teach you the hard lessons learned by a shop owner whose buildings caught fire — without having to go through it yourself. October 4, 2011

Installing Dust Bags in a Cyclone

It's more complicated than you would think to get a liner bag working properly inside a dust-collection cyclone. June 15, 2014

Dust-Collector Blade-Guard Retrofit Ideas

Shop owners show off shop-rigged solutions for combined table-saw blade safety and dust collection. September 15, 2011

Voluntary OSHA Compliance

A conversation about how to get OSHA's help in bringing your shop into compliance with safety rules — without getting fined. October 27, 2008

Template Routing -- with a Vacuum Clamp

March 19, 2002

Noise-Canceling Headphones in the Wood Shop

A few who have tried electronic noise-canceling headphones around woodworking machinery report unimpressive results. June 12, 2014

Dust and Chip Separators for Shop Vacuums

Advice on equipping a shop vacuum with an accessory that separates material out of the air stream before it hits the vacuum filter. June 15, 2014

PVC for dust collection

Is it dangerous? April 2, 2002

Heating the Shop in a Cold Climate

A discussion of the choices for heating a large, poorly insulated shop, including radiant gas burners, wood-fired boilers, and more. March 22, 2013

Sanding Dust Collection Options

Is it better to invest in a downdraft sanding table with filter, or in a vacuum attached to the sander itself?June 15, 2014

Container-Bin Dust Collection Setup

Shop owner describes a site-built rig for capturing dust and shavings using filters and a tarp on top of a shipping container. January 21, 2007

Augmenting Dust Collection with Air Filtration

A good dust collection system should capture most of the dust, but you may still want backup filtration just to clean the shop air. January 23, 2014

Choosing a Dust Collector

It's helpful to know the airflow capacity of a dust collector at various static pressures. October 3, 2008

Light-Duty Dust Collection Setup

A newcomer to the industry gets advice on dust collection for a very small, low-intensity woodworking operation. November 25, 2005

Machinery Layout Ideas

Shop owners discuss ways to arrange a straightline ripsaw, molder, and wide-belt sander, and how to efficiently move materials from one station to the next. March 6, 2008

Wood Dust, Breathing Difficulties, and Personal Protection

Personal accounts make clear that wood dust can bring on breathing problems, and that both shop-wide and individual protective steps are appropriate. August 29, 2006

Disposing of Spray Booth Filters

Are old filters from the spray booth hazardous waste, or regular trash? June 15, 2014

Simple, Low-Cost Dust Collection Setups

Pros suggest ideas for an entry-level dust collection system for a garage shop. April 18, 2006

Whether to Leave Equipment Running

Here's a discussion of the cost, efficiency, and safety aspects of leaving equipment running for periods of time, versus shutting machinery down the moment it's not being actively used. September 15, 2011

Dust Collector for a Widebelt Sander

Advice on cyclones, filter types, ducting, et cetera for good dust collection on a wide-belt sander. January 31, 2012

Wood Composting

Advice from the Wood Doctor on composting chips, shavings, or sawdust for use in landscaping or gardening. January 30, 2013

Shop Layout Tips and Techniques

Paper models make visualizing your shop floor easier, and good planning can really boost your workflow. May 10, 2005

Shop Accident Lessons Learned

A few first-person cautionary stories involving mangled or amputated fingers. May 15, 2014

CNC Shop Fire Risk

Hot bits, sawdust, and vacuum airflow add up to a potential for fire, as these stories attest. September 28, 2009

Downdraft Sanding Tables

Cabinetmakers sing the praises of downdraft sanding tables, and discuss whether it's worth building your own. November 20, 2005

Shop Air Filtration

Advice on an air filter setup for capturing fine dust that escapes the dust collection system. December 24, 2009

Straightline Rip Saw Kickback Concerns

A discussion of prudent safety precautions to take with a straight-line rip saw. July 18, 2008

Compressed Air Lines in a Shop

Advice on material choices and layout strategies for compressed-air supply lines in a woodshop. March 28, 2010

Down-Draft Dust Collection Table

Tips and advice on rigging an old squirrel-cage fan up to power a down-draft table. October 3, 2007

Assembly table

A cabinetmaker shares a photo and description of his shop's assembly table. October 30, 2002

Tablesaw Accident Anecdotes

Is a kerf in the palm of your hand a dado, a rabbet, or a groove? An accident that could have been worse sets off a collection of reminiscences, cautions, and advice. December 30, 2005

Shop-Built Cabinet Lift Photos

Detailed images of a jack designed to help with cabinet installation. December 21, 2008

Fire Sprinkler Requirements for a New Woodshop

including a story of one disastrous fire. December 14, 2005

Dust Control Blower Mod for CNC

Here's a look at a shop-rigged dust control modification to a Holz-Her CNC: a blower that drives fine MDF dust out of the cut grooves so that the dust collector can grab it.October 16, 2012

Shop Productivity With a New CNC

It seems more efficient to go on cutting parts manually than to program the CNC... what's missing? October 5, 2004

Supporting Traveling Dust Collection Ducts

Here's a good look at several shop-rigged solutions for bringing dust collection ducting to CNC equipment under low ceilings, with freedom to match the equipment's travel. August 15, 2011

Dust Collector Fire and Explosion Prevention

Thoughts on selecting a fire suppression or spark detection system for a dust collector bag. June 15, 2014

Capturing Miter Saw Dust

Ideas and suggestions for dust control at the chop saw. September 23, 2013

Clogged Dust Collector Lines on a 5-Head Moulder

When dust collection lines plug up, the problem could be vacuum, wood moisture content, or other factors. April 10, 2007

One Big Blower Versus Two Small Blowers

Two small blowers that can run independently or together may be a more economical and more effective dust collection setup. December 6, 2006

Safety and climb cutting

Safety issues involved in climb cutting with a shaper. January 21, 2003

Soundproofing a Dust Collection System

Shop owners discuss ways to build sound-deadening baffles and boxes around elements of a dust collection system. March 28, 2010

Air Filtering and Fire Safety for a New Shop

Advice on safety and ventilation equipment for a new woodworking shop. March 2, 2006

Unbalanced Dust Collection

A dust collection system has two barrels. One fills up before the other. Why? January 12, 2015

Chip Clearing and Dents in Mouldings

Dents that occur when chips are pressed back into the wood by cutter ends are related to problems with the dust collector's suction. July 18, 2008

Gloves in Woodshops

The consensus view is, no gloves allowed when operating machinery. October 13, 2010

Cyclone Dust Collector Example

Here are some nice photos and well-informed discussion of a small-shop cyclone dust collector setup. March 3, 2010

Cyclone Filter Clogging and Duct Sizing

Troubleshooting a clogging situatin in pleated air filters for a cyclone dust collection system. Is too-small ducting the problem? January 23, 2012

SawStop Setup

Tips on adjusting the SawStop cabinet saw's safety brake. May 15, 2011

Choosing an Air Line Material

Shop owners discuss the pros and cons of various metal and plastic tubing materials for compressed-air supply lines. March 20, 2006

Can Carbide Saw Blade Chips Kill?

There's no source for the rumor that a carbide saw blade fragment struck a woodworker in the heart. But woodworking kickback is deadly dangerous — no doubt about that.November 14, 2014

Dust Collection and Safety Equipment Forum -- Chop Saw Dust Collection

Ideas for collecting dust at a chopsaw work station. August 29, 2006

Spray Booth Safety

A discussion of spray booth requirements, with some interesting photos. October 14, 2006

Fire Department Safety Inspection

Fire pre-planning is a key aspect of fire-department response readiness training. Here, a woodworker tells about the day 30 firefighters showed up to view his shop, and a woodworker who is also a firefighter explains why a thing like that would happen. July 5, 2006

Is This Fan Explosion Proof?

The electrical code references a range of safety ratings for spray booth fans, which relate to the classifications of hazards and the rules for fan location and control switching. November 16, 2011

Old Jointer Accident Story

Jointers can send fragments of metal blades flying like shrapnel. You're lucky if all you get is a good scare. March 27, 2012

Individual Dust Collectors Versus a Centralized System

Centralized setups save labor, but your whole shop is vulnerable to a breakdown on one machine. May 14, 2006

Sawmill Dust Collection

Descriptions, explanations, and pictures of dust collection systems for small sawmills. November 3, 2010

Troubleshooting HSK Spindle Release Issues

Dust and dirt can cause problems with HSK spindles. Here's how to fix them. September 30, 2010

Alternatives to Formaldehyde-Content Adhesives

Woodworkers discuss the risks of formaldehyde in adhesives, and the availability of other choices. March 26, 2013

Sawdust on stacked wood

Should sawdust be cleaned off before stacking and drying? October 15, 2001

Supporting the Dust Collection Hose for a CNC Router

Ideas for sliding support to suspend the vacuum hose in a way that lets it freely follow the CNC machine's travel. November 8, 2007

Rip Saw Kick-Back Prevention

Pondering how to prevent a recurrence of a rip-saw accident that sent the off-cut flying and crushed a finger. December 14, 2009

Long Pants, Breaks, and Safety Rules

A discussion of clothing requirements and lunch and break rules in wood shops. March 28, 2010

Delta Dust Collector Motor Issue

What to do when a bad capacitor keeps a motor from starting properly. April 18, 2011

Woodworking, Dust, and Lung Damage

Wood dust might not bother you on a daily basis, but it's no joke. Take it seriously. November 28, 2011

Baghouse Loading Up with Chips

Advice on getting chips to fall into the dust collector container instead of clogging the filter bag. February 12, 2010

Electrical Grounding for Spray Systems

Effective grounding for your spray setup may reduce risks associated with static electriciy buildup. March 29, 2008

Tablesaw guards

Safe standard and alternative tablesaw guards and splitters. July 24, 2001

Patching Holes in Dust Collector Bags

Tips for patching holes in the cloth bag of a dust collector. April 18, 2015

Effective Shop Lighting

Let's get some light in here so we can see what we're doing. February 8, 2008

Dust Collection Direct to a Trailer

Shop owners discuss ways to rig a dust collection cyclone so it dumps directly into a trailer. September 24, 2006

Cedar Allergies

After prolonged exposure, you can develop a severe allergy to Cedar, and also to some other wood types. January 20, 2010

Respirator Filter Storage

For long life, respirator filter cartridges should be stored in a sealed bag or container when not in use. April 30, 2009

Regulations for finishing operation

Concerns about building, fire and environmental laws for new shop. March 23, 2002

Sound-Proofing Office Walls

Is your office in the same building as a shop full of noisy equipment? Here are a few tips on how to keep noise out of your thinking space. October 1, 2005

Small Auxiliary Dust Collection Solutions

Ways to provide occasional dust collection for lightly-used tools, so you don't have to crank up your central system. February 13, 2006

New shop specs and layout

Electric power and other considerations for a new cabinet shop. April 24, 2002

Keeping CNC Tables Clean

CNC owners describe onion-skinning, second passes, and other inventive methods to manage dust in router operations. December 8, 2010

Handling and Disposing of Wood Chips

Moulding manufacturers discuss the mechanical and social engineering details of recycling wood waste. February 6, 2007

Wood Heat for a Shop

Wood stoves in a shop introduce concerns about safety and about excessively dry shop air. January 20, 2010

Recycling Small Off-Cuts

Is there a better way to manage small wood scraps besides sending them to the landfill? January 26, 2008

Dust Collection for MDF Dust

Advice on controlling fine dust produced while machining MDF on a CNC. January 14, 2013

Breathing Protection with Conversion Varnishes

Finishers discuss respiratory health and personal protection issues relating to the application of acid-catalyzed coatings. October 27, 2005

Supporting the Dust Collection Hose for a CNC Router

Here are some proven solutions (with photos) for supporting the dust collection ducting for a CNC router, while allowing the hose to move freely. December 29, 2008

Shop Air and Electrical in the Floor

Should dust collection ducting and electrical wiring be placed in a slab floor? January 8, 2010

Locating Radiant Tubing Within a Slab

How do you find those tubes so you won't puncture them when you're anchoring down equipment? March 26, 2008

Compressor and Air Pipe Setups

Thoughts and advice on setting up a compressor and air lines for a shop. October 13, 2008

Troubleshooting SawStop False Trips

Saw Stop blade brakes rarely activate without reason. But in this case ... February 17, 2012

Switches for Dust Collection Systems

Shop owners discuss their solutions for remotely controlling a 220-volt dust collection system. October 20, 2013

Dust Collection and Climb Cutting

Suggestions for effective dust collection during climb-cutting operations. November 30, 2009

How a Cabinet Shop Fire Can Start

A cautionary tale of how one cabinetmaker burned down part of his shop. June 12, 2013

Turning Sawdust and Shavings into Fuel

Shop owners discuss machinery that makes logs or briquettes out of wood waste. April 30, 2006

Ceiling-mounted dust collectors

Recommedations on where to buy and how to build. January 16, 2002

Small-Shop Cyclone Advice

Even for fine dust, a cyclone is the key to keeping filters free-flowing. April 13, 2012

Dust Collection for a Low-Ceilinged Shop

A shop owner decides the dust collection system he wants to install requires too much head height. October 26, 2011

Dust Combustion: Will Your Shop Explode?

A collection of useful links about the risk of woodshop dust fires or explosions, and about preventive measures. June 15, 2014

Suspending Dust-Collector Ducts from the Ceiling

Advice on hanging rigid and flexible ducting from a high ceiling for a dust-collector vacuum system. August 30, 2007

PVC piping -- OK for dust collection?

Why PVC piping is not safe for your dust collection system. March 19, 2001

Three phase generator

Running machinery off of a three-phase generator. September 2, 2002

Dust Collector Pressure and Suction

A discussion of basic pressure-balancing and air-sealing issues in a small shop dust collection system. June 28, 2007

Troubleshooting a Cyclone Chip Clog

Advice on making a cyclone stop clogging when when trying to separate large chips of light material. July 29, 2012

Filter Bags Versus Canister Filters

Shop owners discuss filtration options for high-performance dust collection systems. February 13, 2006

Choosing Footwear for Shop Use

Army boots? Flip-flops? It's a matter of personal preference, but here are some thoughts and observations. December 6, 2012

Downdraft Tables Versus Vacuum-Equipped Sanders

Some woodworkers swear by downdraft tables, others swear by sanders coupled to vacuum dust collectors. May 22, 2006

Quieting Down a Dust Control System

Advice on fan selection, fan placement, and other factors that could affect the noise generated in a dust extraction system. December 31, 2012

Bit Choice and Dust Control when Cutting MDF

Tips on how to keep dust from packing into the cutlines when machining MDF on a CNC router. February 28, 2012

Explosion-proof fans

Building a safe spray booth to eliminate the risk of explosions. January 24, 2001

PVC Dust Collection Issues

Woodworkers discuss pipe diameter compatibility and fire risks with PVC dust collection ducting. October 16, 2012

Shop-Built Down-Draft Table Ideas

Woodworkers discuss ways to build your own down-draft sanding table. December 14, 2005

A Tag-Team Four-Motor Vacuum Setup

A shop owner describes how he ganged four 240-volt motors onto one vacuum system to get the suction he needed within the power limitations at his shop. January 5, 2010

Shavings Collection: Hopper Receiver or Rotary Air Lock?

Shop owners discuss alternative ways to outfeed shavings and sawdust from their dust collection systems. November 8, 2007

Shop Noise and Hearing Protection

Say what? Shop owners discuss earplugs, hearing tests, and strategies for lowering shop noise levels. December 7, 2007

Getting Rid of Rip-Saw Cutoff Waste

Ideas for making a little spare change out of that pile of rip-saw off-cuts. May 26, 2008

Waxing Equipment Surfaces

Using butcher's wax to make wood move easily across machine tables. April 18, 2004

Adapting to No-Line Bifocals

It's hard to adjust when you switch to a new type of eyeglasses. August 29, 2006

Shop-Built Sanding Table

A furnace blower makes a good fan. Filter bags keep dust out of the motor. May 28, 2006

Variable Frequency Drive for Dust Extractor Fans

Smart design with variable-speed fans and operable blast gates can save a lot of energy while providing good extraction where it's needed. December 31, 2012

Air Piping Sizing and Material Choice

Wider diameters offer less resistance and more storage buffering. Pex is also an option to consider. April 20, 2008

Bypassing a Cyclone Collector

Cyclone collectors require a sealed vacuum to function. But you can build a larger sealed room if you need a greater bulk capacity. April 19, 2011

Hazards of Wearing Gloves in the Shop

Gloves have their place, but they create risk around woodworking machinery. August 29, 2006

Widebelt Sander Kickback

Cabinetmakers discuss why a widebelt sander kicked some boards out against the feeder belt. October 11, 2012

Setting Up to Make Fuel from Sawdust

A look at the cost and practicality of equipment to turn your sawdust and shavings into heating fuel on a small scale. September 16, 2013

Laying out a new shop

Advice on dust collection, electric, and general layout from those who have built their own shops. March 16, 2001

Retrofit Dust Collection Fan

Is there any percentage to up-sizing the impeller fan in an existing dust collector unit? May 15, 2012

Locating Compressor and Dust Collector in the Same Small Room

Air supply and filtration are the issues when a compressor shares a small room with a dust collector. April 19, 2011

Sound-Proofing a Dust-Collection Cyclone

Suggestions for keeping the dust-collection setup from being the noisiest thing in your shop. June 15, 2014

Down-Draft Sanding Table: Buy or Build?

There are good units you can buy off the shelf, but people have also had good luck building their own sanding tables. July 11, 2007

Sawdust uses

Various idaes for putting wood waste to use. March 20, 2001

Dealing with sawmill dust

Home-made systems for getting rid of the dust buildup under sawmills. January 4, 2001

Extra Filtration

Advice on improving dust-collection system effectiveness by adding to filter bags or introducing a pre-separation component. April 17, 2009

Compressors, Vacuum Pumps, Air Dryers, Air Makeup

Thumbnail descriptions of various kinds of equipment that move air. September 20, 2008

Cyclones for Fine Sanding Dust

A taller, more narrowly tapering cyclone seems to remove fine dust more effectively, but you'll still need a fine filter downstream of that. July 29, 2012

Dealing with Fire Code Issues in a Spray Booth

Advice on communicating with a building department about the fine points of the fire code as it relates to spray finishing booths. May 27, 2014

Shopping for a Forklift

Thoughts and experiences concerning shop forklifts. January 9, 2006

Recirculating Spray-Booth Air

Regulations don't allow it, because it raises concentrations of potentially dangerous chemicals. December 1, 2005

Composting Chips and Shavings

Compost shavings and chips before adding them to garden soil. Here's how. December 31, 2012

Spray Booth Ventilation, Back Pressure?

A fan that works well mounted in a window has trouble moving air through a 50-foot duct with three bends. December 9, 2010

Regulating generator voltage

Dealing with voltage control and wiring for generators. January 31, 2001

Electrical Grounding for Metal Buildings

Good grounding (and fire insurance) are prudent measures for a metal sawmill building. March 31, 2008

Woodshop Heating Options

More thoughts on the many ways to heat a woodshop. August 31, 2005

Baghouse Versus Cyclone

Advice on choosing a chip and dust removal system, based on the shop's situation. June 15, 2014

Getting Rid of Sawdust

Farmers and gardeners will take away sawdust and shavings for free. April 30, 2006

Grounding Dust Collection Hose

How do you ground flex pipe for a dust collection system? (And is it even worth doing?) February 19, 2013

Connecting Two Cyclones

Coupling two dust collection fan units together boosts the static pressure if you connect them in series, and boosts the airflow if you hook them up in parallel. August 24, 2008

Wood Dust, Spray Finishes, and Lung Function.

A cabinetmaker who finishes his own pieces asks whether anyone else feels shortness of breath. Fellow woodworkers chime in with advice on pulmonary health and the cabinetry trade. November 21, 2005

Hinge Boring Dust Collection

Custom design of a dust collection system for a hinge boring machine. January 25, 2005

Blowing Sawdust into a Big Trailer

Woodworkers discuss pipe and damper setups to evenly distribute dust into a 40-yard trailer or container. September 27, 2008

Will a Boost Fan Step Up Dust Collector Capacity?

A woodworker adds a new piece of equipment, and wants to know whether adding a boost fan will enable his existing dust collection system to handle the increased requirement. April 17, 2009

Giving Away or Using Up Scrap Wood

Ideas for making use of small hardwood or plywood scrap and off-cuts. March 25, 2007

Markets and Disposal Outlets for Sawdust

These suggestions relate specifically to the Indiana area, but are food for thought in other locations as well. July 29, 2012

How Much Sawdust Will I Make?

Formulas and rules of thumb for estimating volume of sawdust generated in bandmill operations. September 5, 2011

Shopping for an Overarm Blade Cover

Sharing experiences with different makes and models. February 25, 2005

Sawdust Collection for Sawmills

You need a fan powerful enough to move sawdust and tough enough to withstand impacts from big chunks. August 30, 2007

Air Conditioning and Dust in the Shop

A discussion of the dust control and air conditioner performance in wood shops. April 16, 2010

More on Improving Dust Collection on a CNC Router

Ways to modify and tweak your CNC device for better dust collection. October 9, 2006

Formaldehyde, sawdust and cancer

Discussion on the health risks of formaldehyde in finishes and wood dust in the air. April 4, 2001

Remote Switching for a Dust Collection System

Advice on how to retrofit a remote control switch to a dust control setup. August 12, 2014

Down-Draft Table Details

Specific advice on table hole size and spacing, ducting, and filters for an effective down-draft sanding table. March 4, 2009

How Long Will it Take to Get a Dust Collection System Installed?

Thumbnail description of the process and timeline to set up a new dust collection system, from on-the-drawing-board to operational. January 21, 2007

Space Efficient Dust Collector Ideas

Ways to shoehorn dust collection into tight quarters. February 26, 2007

Using Ozone to Counteract Off-Gassing Odor

An ozone generator with enough capacity to make a dent in finish off-gassing odor would create indoor pollution concerns, says the voice of experience. December 23, 2014

Collecting Sawdust from a Bandsaw Mill

Suggestions for corralling the dust from a bandsaw mill's traveling head. May 6, 2014

Modifying a Table Saw for Better Dust Collection

Ideas for rigging a hose fitting and a funnel to the base of a table saw for effective capture of sawdust. April 19, 2011

Allergic Reactions to Wood

Sawmiller show and tell about rashes and respiratory reactions to contact with various wood species. October 20, 2005

Wood Waste Equipment

A basic introduction to the choices available in machinery for chipping and grinding sawmill and wood-shop scrap wood. November 13, 2008

Dust-Collection System Sizing

More examples of dust-collector math. August 29, 2006

Improving Dust Collection on a Widebelt Sander

For better suction, use shorter, straighter runs of wider-diameter rigid duct (not flexible duct hose) September 24, 2006

Machinery maintenance schedules

How to develop a system of regular equipment upkeep in your shop. March 16, 2001

Isolating Air Lines from Compressor Vibration

To prevent vibration and noise, install a short section of suitable flexible tubing between the compressor and the copper air lines.January 3, 2012

Soundproof Shop

Considering noise reduction when building a shop. February 10, 2004

Boosting voltage with a transformer

Guidelines for increasing voltage through the use of a transformer. January 31, 2001

Aftermarket Brake for an Old Saw Motor

A discussion about adding motor braking to existing older machinery. August 16, 2012

Shared Power Switch for Tool and Vacuum

Quick tips on linking tool and shop-vacuum power supplies so that the vacuum starts when the tool starts. April 24, 2013

Dust Collectors

General description of dust collection equipment. November 11, 2008

Exterior Cyclone Collector with Air Return to Shop

Thoughts on locating a dust collector's cyclone bin outside the building for easy waste collection and disposal, while arranging for filtered air return to the workspace for energy conservation. December 29, 2008

Full Indicators for Cyclone Collection Barrels

It's nice to be notified when the barrel under your cyclone is full. Here are ways to accomplish that. June 15, 2014

Cleaning a Dust Filter

Ironically, sometimes you can get dustier cleaning a dust filter than you can working without the dust collector it came from. Here, cabinetmakers discuss the dilemma. July 11, 2007

Gloves for Saw Operators

Woodworkers suggest some tough, skin-tight, high-friction gloves for use around power equipment. April 21, 2011

Shop Cooling Options

Advice on space conditioning for a shop in a hot climate, touching on "swamp coolers" and on creating cool zones. June 15, 2014

Dust Collection Hose Whine

Some hoses make a whining noise. Here's advice on how to get rid of it. May 7, 2009

Fan on the Pull Side of the Filter

A fan that pulls air through the dust extractor, instead of pushing through it, can be more efficient. January 25, 2013

Part 2: Remilling of Salvaged Wood Siding Coated with Lead-Based Paint

Salvaged wood with lead paint can be safely milled into useful products, says a Forest Products Laboratory study. March 4, 2008

Choosing a dust collector

Matching your system to the required CFM. March 16, 2001

Dust Collection Return Air

A discussion of heat loss and comfort with a closed-loop recirculating dust collector that dumps outdoors. April 19, 2011

Markets for Wood-Shop Waste

A woodworker who generates high volumes of dust and shavings from wood and MDF panels explores the recycling options. March 12, 2014

Safety Air Switch Logic for Clamps

Advice on sources for pneumatic clamps that require two-handed actuation for safety. August 30, 2010

Sawdust Removal for a Circular Mill

Drag chains or augers beat blowers. July 7, 2011

Harmful saw dust

Steering clear of cedar dust, and what could happen if you don't. January 16, 2001

Drum-Style Filter Cartridges for Dust Collectors

A discussion of pleated drum filters in dust collectors. September 29, 2009

Dust Collector Motor Won't Start

Hums but doesn't move? Probably a blown starter capacitor. August 21, 2012

Lighting for a High-Ceilinged Shop

Choosing light fixtures for a shop with a high ceiling. November 9, 2008

Versatile Dust-Collector Hose Connectors

Rubber no-hub pipe connectors and clamps allow easy hookup of odd-sized hoses and pipes. January 13, 2009

Part 1: Remilling of Salvaged Wood Siding Coated with Lead-Based Paint

Recovered wood siding with lead paint on it can be safely machined into mouldings, according to an FPL study on wood from old Army base barracks. Here's how. March 4, 2008

Is a Dented Air Tank Safe?

Safety and liability concerns with a damaged pressure tank. November 14, 2009

Sliding Table Saw Crosscut Fence Safety

The crosscut fence on a slider is positioned for managing large panel cuts. April 10, 2008

Improving Dust Collection on a Shaper

Catching dust and chips effectively from a shaper calls for a little creative customizing. September 24, 2006

Heaters in the Finishing Room

Portable electric heaters create sparks and cause explosions. Don't do it. June 18, 2013

Variable-Speed Controls and Explosion-Proof Fans

Using a variable-speed controller likely voids the explosion-proof rating on a fan. August 14, 2007

Manufacturing Sawdust

Basic information about grinding wood. October 20, 2013

Vacuuming Lacquer Sanding Dust

Is it safe? November 26, 2007

Makeup Air Volume for a Spray Booth

Quick tips on sizing the inflow air fan capacity to match a spray booth exhaust fan. November 8, 2007

Floor Vacuum Attachment for a Dust Collector

Advice on whether and how to incorporate a floor-cleaning vacuum head and hose into your dust collection system. June 15, 2014

Disposal of sawdust

Who wants your sawdust and shavings? Here are some ideas, from gardeners to gerbils. February 13, 2001

Health Alert: Hearing Loss

A short discussion about how woodworking can damage your hearing. April 22, 2014

Dust Control for Orbital Sander Stations

Orbital sanding creates lots of fine dust, requiring a comprehensive approach to air quality control. April 17, 2009

Why bother with dust collection?

Good reasons to invest in a dust collection system. March 16, 2001

Outside Dust Collector Details

Professional advice, including fire safety and noise control details, for a dust collector built onto a shop's exterior. November 25, 2005

Equipment Room Heat Buildup

Regulating temperature in a small room where compressors are housed. February 8, 2008

Fog-Proofing Your Goggles

The biking and hockey worlds have solutions for preventing foggy facemasks. August 14, 2007

Explosion proof lighting

What type of lights should be used in your spray booth? May 19, 2003

Dust Collection: How Much is Too Much?

There are drawbacks to a dust collection and vacuum system that is bigger than your shop needs. August 21, 2006

When to Change Finishing Booth Air Filters

You can go by air pressure or by airflow, but the limits vary depending on location. November 26, 2006

Building Your Own Downdraft Table

A few tips on building a downdraft table for sanding dust collection in your shop. June 15, 2014

Duct Silencer: Measured Results

With an inexpensive decibel meter, a shop owner finds out how much a duct silencer has quieted down the noise from his dust collector cyclone. April 27, 2011

Keeping Vacuum Pods Clean

Dust can clog the vacuum pods on CNC equipment. August 29, 2006

Battery-Powered Respirators

Are the positive pressure ("air fed") facemasks with a battery pack a good idea for finishers? July 16, 2012

Dust collection system cost

Calculating the cost of a dust collection system for your size shop. March 19, 2001

Respirator Filter Life

Quick tip on how to store respirator filters and when to change them. December 1, 2005

Dust Collector Duct Sizing

Where to look for info on proper ductwork diameters. May 16, 2005

Dust-Collecting Ducting in Slabs

Comments on running dust-collection vacuum ducts under a concrete floor. August 21, 2006

Router Table Dust Collection

Collect dust from the fence, or from the box below the table? Or why not both? November 26, 2006

Spindle Sander Safety

Spindle sanders are dangerous. January 15, 2008

Getting a charge from melamine

How to mitigate the creation and transmission of static electricity during the handling thermofused melamine. April 2, 2002

CNC dust collection

Installing a flexible hose for dust collection with CNC machinery. March 14, 2001

Blower and Cyclone Positioning

Should the blower push air into the cyclone, or pull air out of it? October 1, 2010

Separating Chips from the Air

A baffle or cyclone will help chips and heavy dust fall out of the air stream. May 3, 2011

Cleaning Cyclone Filters

Tips on keeping filters clean without creating more dust. May 15, 2011

Low-Tech Cyclone Trash Can

Tips on building a simple cyclone dust collector for a shop vacuum, on the cheap. January 23, 2012

Excess chips in filter bags

Why are so many chips collecting in the filter bags? March 16, 2001

Separating Sawdust from Chips

The key is to not mix the two in the first place. December 11, 2006

Acrylic Bandsaw Dust Catcher

A cabinetmaker shows his shop-rigged dust catcher made with clear acrylic — quick, cheap, and effective. April 10, 2008

Glasses, Beards, and Breathing Protection

A half-mask or helmet and hood respirator is the way to go if you can't get a good seal from a regular mask. August 21, 2006

One- and two-stage dust collection

What is the difference between these types of systems? March 16, 2001

High Speed Abort Gate for Dust Collection System

This component activates to divert the duct airflow out of the building for fire safety in case of an explosion. October 20, 2013

Custom dust collection fittings -- how to order?

How to accurately specify custom fittings by long distance. March 16, 2001

Thoughts on inexpensive dust collection

Customizing your dust collection system and keeping costs low. March 14, 2001

Dust Collection Design Guide

A dust collection design guide (in PDF format) originally written by Air Handling Systems - July 17, 2001

Air conditioning for woodworking shops

Keeping your shop comfortable in the hot, sticky summer months. January 16, 2001

Benchtop Downdraft Box Hole Specs

Pegboard with 1/4-inch holes seems to work well. June 21, 2012

Increasing collection fan RPM

Determining how much RPM that a fan can handle. March 19, 2001

Sizing Dust Collection Duct Drops

Advice on proper sizing for the duct drops to individual machines from a main dust collection duct. November 5, 2013

Plastic pipe and dust collection

Why not? Here are some reasons. January 16, 2002

Dust collection pipe assembly tips

Helpful techniques for putting together a dust collection piping system. March 16, 2001

Equipment layout and clearance standards

Suggested reading to find clearance standards for equipment in woodworking operations. March 16, 2001

Rotary air locks

Details on the operation of a rotary air lock. March 19, 2001

Installing a Dust Collector Upside-Down

Does a dust-collector fan care whether it is "sight side up"?June 15, 2014

Filtering Shop Air

Dust collection for your machinery isn't a complete solution. There are reasons to have air filtering for fine dust in the shop air, as well.June 15, 2014

Three-phase motors 101

Three-phase power and converters; explained in layman's terms. June 19, 2003

Antique, unsafe shaper knives

Safety and operational issues regarding shaper heads. April 4, 2001

Table Saw Safety Accessories

A long discussion on the utility and practicality of guards, splitters, and automatic blade brakes. November 26, 2007

Compressed air delivery system

Appropriate piping for shop air distribution lines. January 15, 2003

Three Phase Current, Demand Charges, and Phase Converters

Shedding some light on ways to minimize power company "demand charges," with an in-depth look at the way phase converters function. December 3, 2010

New Shop Layout

Efficient shop flow for increased profit. February 28, 2004

Understanding "Demand" and "Energy" Charges on Commercial Electric Bills

Electric utility companies charge shops a fee for the power you might use (or your peak power draw), as well as for the juice you actually consume. Here, shop owners describe what that arrangement can do to your utility bill's bottom line. February 18, 2007

Finish room heating

Safe systems for keeping you, your finishes and your spray equipment cozy. November 22, 2003

Compressed-Air Piping for a Woodshop

Copper is considered the safe choice, but here is a discussion of some alternatives, and tips on a workable setup. April 21, 2007

Climb cutting and why not

Climb cutting on a shaper with feeder--safety and procedure issues. September 19, 2001

PVA, Urea, and Workspace Air Quality

A discussion of substituting PVA for urea adhesive in a veneering operation. July 13, 2006

Compressor Noise

Thoughts on choosing a quieter air compressor, or muffling a noisy one. April 18, 2006

Climb Cutting on a Moulder

Molding manufacturers discuss the potentially dangerous but sometimes necessary practice of climb cutting. January 22, 2006

Muffling Dust Collector Noise

Sound-deadening materials and enclosures can quiet down that monster's roar. March 14, 2005

Allergies, asthma, dust collection, and breathing protection.

Woodworkers talk about ways to cope with sensitivity to sawdust. February 12, 2009

Fan Choice and Air Speed Calculations for a Spray Booth

Figuring the fan capacity for a spray booth is tricky, because you need to estimate the air speed across the working space. December 29, 2008

Outfeed Table Plan

Construction ideas for an outfeed table with mounted router. March 14, 2004

Converting a Trailer to a Spray Booth

Finishers warn of the code and safety issues involved in providing lighting, egress, and other necessities to make a spray booth out of a metal trailer. February 15, 2009

CNC Dust Collection Connections

Dust collector hose joints that move a lot are subject to wear and failure. Here's some insight into the problem. April 21, 2007

Bandmill enclosures for all-weather milling

Ideas for a structure to house a bandsaw mill, with thoughts on heating and dust collection. February 13, 2001

Dust Collectors Set Up in Parallel

A woodworker experiments with ganging small dust collection systems together to boost efficiency. April 18, 2006

Spray room set-up and operation

Hot to get lighting and exhaust details right, eliminating safety risks in spray-finishing operations. February 13, 2001

Specifying features for leased space

Advice on features to include in a leased production facility. June 6, 2001

Scheduling machinery maintenance

Creating an equipment maintenance schedule to ensure that machines provide peak proformance. January 16, 2002

Shaper Safety Accessories

machining, accuracy, set-up, milling, cutting, shaping, joints, joinery, cutters, heads, knives, sharpening, June 28, 2006

Doubling Up Compressors or Fans

When you link two fans or compressors together, what's the effect on pressure and airflow? January 18, 2007

Edgebanding Glue Fumes

Cabinetmakers who don't like that smell, or the health worries, have rigged up small exhaust fans to clear out the fumes. June 23, 2006

Renewing rusted table saw tops

How to fix a badly rusted table saw top in a few easy steps. February 7, 2001

Cleaning Up Blood in the Shop

A fresh ten-to-one solution of water and bleach works well for sanitizing purposes. October 3, 2007

Production Tips, part three

Part three of three from Woodworking International Magazine, offering proven ideas for increasing efficiency in production shops. 1998.

Choosing Sliding Table Saws and Panel Saws

Pros discuss the choices in panel saws and sliding table saws, and offer advice on modifying equipment for better performance. November 10, 2006

Production Tips, part two

Part two of three from Woodworking International Magazine, offering proven ideas for increasing efficiency in production shops. 1998.

Outdoor wood furnaces

Experiences with outdoor "water stove" heating systems. March 20, 2001

Wood, the environment, and Man

A wide-ranging overview of the state of the primary processing industry, and where it may be going from here. August 10, 2000

Fine Dust, Cyclones, and Filter Clogging

The right combination of cyclones and filters, good airflow, and diligent cleaning are part of keeping the dust collection system free from clogging. June 15, 2014

Spray Shop Layout

Setting up an efficient spray-finishing area in an expanded shop. December 26, 2004

Creosote-treated timbers: Cut with care

Some wise precuations to take if milling lumber previously treated with creosote. September 21, 2000

Production Tips, part one

Part one of three from Woodworking International Magazine, offering proven ideas for increasing efficiency in production shops. 1998.

Clamp Cart

Shop-made carriers for clamps. December 26, 2004

Shop arrangement and setup

Shop owners describe the best and worst aspects of their workspaces. March 21, 2002

Exhaust Fan Size for Spray Booth

How much ventilation is needed? August 17, 2004

Dealing with spray booth noise

Protecting your hearing from the deafening roar of spray booth exhaust equipment. November 15, 2000

Safeguarding Woodworking Machines and Worker Safety

A detailed description of machinery safeguarding techniques - 1984

Uses for shavings and sawdust

A discussion of uses for and the marketablility of waste from the primary processing of lumber. July 18, 2000

Making Cool Stuff with Metal Components

This thread started out with a question about finding T-nuts for rigging up an adjustable cabinet pull-out shelf slide. But it goes on to consider all sorts of things you can rig up in the shop using off-the-shelf metal parts. February 13, 2009

Poison oak prevention and treatment

Sawmillers share thoughts on the best preventions and cures for exposure to poison oak. September 6, 2000

Wood dust hazards and safety gear

A detailed look at personal safety precautions for those exposed to wood dust.

Sawmill waste disposal

Producing power and other ideas for utilizing waste from a milling operation. January 21, 2002

The truth about pressure-treated wood

Exploding some myths about the dangers of CCA pressure-treated wood. August 10, 2000

Explosion-proof spray room lighting

The practical and regulatory aspects of explosion-proof lighting in finishing rooms. July 18, 2000

When to hire help?

Considering all the financial aspects and adding up the figures--is it worth it to hire? February 7, 2001

Filtering out isocyanates

Is an organic respirator capable of filtering out isocyanates? December 6, 2000

Setting up a powerfeeder

The care and use of powerfeeders. November 7, 2000

Cutting the butt off blowdowns

Cutting the butts off blown-down trees can be hazardous. Here are some safety tips. June 27, 2000

Safe Design and Operation of Portable Circular Power Saws

Two hands on the saw is the safest way, say the safety experts. September 16, 2005

Procedures for shop-floor medical emergencies

What to do when a serious accident occurs in the shop. September 26, 2000

Lighting your sawmill

Providing good light for your work on dark days and late nights. February 19, 2002

Seeking a sweeter-smelling finish

Potential sources for less noxious finishing materials. November 29, 2000

Health hazards of wood dust

Studies have shown that breathing wood dust can be hazardous to your health. 1998.

Pressure treated lumber -- O.K. for grape arbor?

A look at pressure-treated woods, then and now, and safety factors to consider in using them. 1998.

Mist systems and relative humidity

Mist systems, what they do, and some general information about relative humidty and its effect on wood. 1998.

Hardwood Utilization Book Review

"The Management, Manufacture and Marketing of California Black Oak, Pacific Madrone and Tanoak" covers the various aspects encountered by the forester, the logger, the sawmill manager, the marketing people, and the business owner - 1998

Computer Clinic: Ground Your Equipment!

Protecting computer equipment, and users, from power surges. 1998.

Cutting creosoted poles

Advice on cutting (or not cutting) utility poles treated with creosote. June 20, 2000

Walnut toxicity fact and fiction

Is walnut safe for salad bowls? Horse bedding? June 21, 2000

Wood dust a carcinogen?

The Wood Doctor points to two sources of information on the carcinogenic properties of wood dust. 1998.

Advice on a forklift purchase

Is a 3000-pound capacity forklift enough? Not in the eyes of these forum visitors. January 31, 2001

A facility for storing kilned lumber

What's a good facility for storing kilned lumber without raising its moisture content? May 6, 2000

Ideal relative humidity in woodworking plants

Determining the best relative humidity level for your operation. 1998.

Dark liquid from walnut: Toxic?

The Wood Doctor says: Stay away from this stuff! 1998.

Mist-type dust collection

Water-mist dust collection techniques for capturing ultra-fine dust. June 14, 2000

Identifying mixed lumber

The best guide to wood identification. March 5, 2000

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