Sawdust on the Floor

In a recent article of This Old House magazine, there was an article about tools that are totally useless but are so cool that you just have to have them. While the article was amusing, I have to admit that I happen to own one of the tools listed. Several years back my wife gave my a portable laser by Ryobi. The laser differs from most that it also has a suction cup that allows you to attach it to a surface, freeing up your hands for other activities. I also have to admit that I had to go looking for the laser as I don’t use it everyday, but when I do need it, it’s very nice to have.

The article got me to thinking of other totally useless tools that haunt my tool box, that I ether bought in a senior moment, or were given to me by well meaning friends and family. Like the Screw driver/Flash light that I got one year from my mother in law. While I really appreciated the gesture, I was never sure what the purpose was. I mean it wasn’t a good flash light nor was it a good screw driver. But it was the thought that mattered.

Another tool that really looked good in the store, but just wasn’t, was a tape measure that is 100% flexible. I think the idea was so you can measure around things. It works so well it has a special place in my tool box. I’m sure your tool box has special places like that too.

One of the tools in the TOH article was a gutter cleaner. The product reported will travel the length of the gutter and via a flapper, throw out all of the gunk in the gutter. Sounds great, right? But think about it for a minute. How does the gizmo get into the gutter? You have to climb up the ladder and place it in the gutter, wait till it gets done and then remove it. You now have to go down in the yard and clean up the mess that the gizmo made. Seems to me that you would be better off just putting the ladder up and cleaning the gutter you’re self. Or if you are not comfortable on a ladder, hire someone.

So here is a challenge to all my fellow woodworkers, crafts people and tool junkies. Let me hear from you, tell me what tools you have that you would like to put on the “UnCool Tool List”. I would like to publish a list of those special tools, to maybe keep some other innocent woodworker from having a UnCool tool find its way into your tool box. I promise to protect your reputation by keeping your name secret, unless you are really proud of that special tool.

Let me know at jerseywoodworker@gmail.com

There are some basic truths about all woodworkers no matter how big or small our shops are or how big or small our projects are. One of those truths is that woodworking is a dirty past time. Every thing we do with Wood other than applying finish creates dirt and saw dust. And I can not imagine a worse scenario than having dust flying around my shop while a finish is drying.

Depending on the species of wood involved, the dust created may in fact be hazardous to your health. I have talked to several woodworkers who have developed severe allergic reactions to some of the exotic woods. I know from personal experience that after a of day cutting walnut, I end up with a very scratchy throat, and a mild rash on my face and hands. Thankfully, the problems correct themselves within a couple of hours.

On a more humorous side, I have also known woodworkers who have their shops located in the basement of their homes, and have raised the ire of their spouses when the sawdust from the shop gets picked up by the furnace and very liberally spread over the entire house. While this doesn’t create a medically hazardous condition, it can be hazardous none the less!

My shop is located in a separate building, so I don’t have to worry about tracking dust in via the furnace, but I still have to deal with the saw dust within my shop. Thankfully, I was given a dust collector system several years ago as a Christmas gift. And I am thankful for it every time I am in the shop.

Dust collection systems for your workshop.

Dust Collection Hose, Fittings and Accessories

Dust Collectors and Air Filtration

Nordfab Dust Collection System

Dust collection systems come in many variations, but the basic difference between them is the size of the vacuum system and the size of the collection bag. Most systems have a 4 “inlet that connects the system to your shop tools. Every woodworking store that I have visited has a very large collection of accessories for your dust collection system.

So how is mine configured? Well, currently I have a single hose connected to the dust collection unit

Clear Flexible Dust Collection Hose

that I move between the table saw, planer and shaper table. Is this the ideal setup? Not really, but I haven’t found the ideal setup yet. I have tried installing 4” duct work between the tools, and installed Blast gates to connect the tools individually.

Dust Collection Blast Gates

The Blast gates worked OK, but the truth is that I seemed to spend as much time opening and closing the individual gates, as I do now moving the hose between units. I also found that the metal Blast gates worked much better then the plastic ones. The plastic type clog easily and consequently, will not close completely. Another Issue I found out after installing the duct work and gates, the further the tool is away from the dust collection unit, the less the amount of suction power available. Or in other words, the tool that develops the most dust needs to be the closest to the Dust Collection unit. Makes sense, but not always practical.

If you decide to install duct work, I would make one very strong recommendation. Do not use 90 Degree Tee’s to connect your tools. Instead use 4” Wye Connectors. The Tee actually traps saw dust, and reduce the amount of vacuum available within the system.

Y-Connector Dust Collection Fitting

Some safety experts advocate that your dust collection system needs to be grounded to prevent a shock from static electricity. The static charge can be created by the velocity of the dust thru the flexible hoses. You can eliminate the potential problem by running a single braided copper wire, inside the hose. The wire needs to be connected on both ends to the metal frame of the tool. Use a simple crimp on connector on the wire.

If you are spending any amount of time in your shop, then a dust collection system is a must. Do you need to install a lot of ducts and blast gates, or simply move the hose around as you need it? That’s a personal choice. Whatever your choice, getting a dust collection system and using it is the most important thing. It might just make your shop a healthier and safer place to work. Or it might just keep you out of the dog house with your spouse.

For an additional large selection of Dust Collection System accessories, parts and upgrades, take a look at The Woodworking Tool Shop.