Dust Control to Major Tom

Keep it clean.

A major benefit of hand tool woodworking compared with using power tools is the amount of dust that’s produced. But it still does produce dust. In a dedicated workshop, it would almost be a non-issue, certainly not enough to warrant any real consideration for dust control. In an apartment, however, where your workshop is the same room as where you live, work, cook, and eat, then dust control is important.

I use two forms of dust control: a dust extractor (Festool in my case) and a good old dustpan and brush.

I’ve found there are three types of dust that result from hand tool woodworking and they require different approaches to manage:

• Shavings - I’m not sure this is even classed as dust, but that doesn’t mean it can be ignored. For shavings - off a plane or from a chisel, for example - a simple dustpan and brush is sufficient. In fact, it’s preferred. Otherwise the vacuum’s bag will fill up quickly, and they’re not exactly free.

• Large dust particles - I’m talking about the dust that falls to the ground or on your workbench when using a saw or rasp. You can see it, and unless you sneeze, it’s going to drop straight down. A quick once over with a vacuum every so often prevents it being disrupted or trampled around.

• Fine dust particles - normally the result of every woodworkers favourite activity - sanding. Sanding produces a nasty fine dust, which due to the motion of sanding gets thrown up and lingers in the air. The best way to deal with fine dust is to capture it at the source using a dust extractor. I use a sanding extractor block that attaches to my Festool dust extractor with a hose and Abranet sandpaper. It works remarkably well. So well in fact that you can get away without wearing a mask, but I still don one to be on the safe side. I don’t use an electric sander, but the set up and principle remain the same.

Once I’ve finished for the day, I give the floor a quick vacuum and mop. And that’s how I prevent dust from coating everything we own and shortening ours lives.

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In my next post I’m going back to actual woodworking. I have three quick projects that can be completed in half a day or less.