Dust Extraction in Blademaking
Any dust or grinding debris generated in knifemaking is toxic and hazardous.
Wearing a respirator and safety glasses, keeps it off your lungs and out of your eyes but particles may linger in the air after the machines are turned off. An dust extractor reduces this.
Most bladesmiths and knifemakers use a water-filled barrel under their grinders to catch sparks and capture particles.
Others use extraction units.
I’m keen on getting a powered, ducted extraction unit installed but steel hoppers in the UK seem to be limited. Guess it’s one for the design board. I have a tilting grinder so there needs to be a feature included for that too.
- Ducting should be steel
- Seal all joints to retain cfm
- Rivet rather than screws
- Put in Y-junctions rather than T-pieces for joins to reduce friction
Interesting links
- Step Up to Whole-Shop Dust Collection – woodworking related but still helpful info on duct setup
- Stainless Steel Ducting – Ain’t going to be cheap but it will last