Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
Ive been looking into this as well. Rather than fill my small workspace with a record or metabo bandsaw, Im considering going the other way and buying a proxxon machine. These are designed for smaller work – but for me thats the point. I can do accurate curves and angled cuts. The quality of the Proxxon Bandsaw seems very good indeed. The max height of any piece is about 8cm (3 inches) but for me that would be perfectly fine. Proxxon make a whole range of quality tools for smaller work.
I’m glad this post is still proving informative to people. Its been over a year now, I’m still busy in my shed and am really enjoying it. It can be quite blissful making things as the sun streams through in the afternoon.
I think the thing I’ve learnt is just to work slow and from task to task. So the dust is continually managed as a factor within each task. So if the next task is to rip a long piece of oak – best put a mask on. If I’m doing a lot of plane work I will also switch on the extractor, open the door and have the bin at the end of the bench so I can just brush all the waste directly into it.
I also vacuum up after every task. I’m now one year wiser so my shavings are all nice a curly.
A lot of what I do is restoring or repurposing something ive picked up from a charity shop/junk shop. If anything involves any metal fittings that need filing or removing rust from then do this outside in the open air, and wear a face mask. Steal wool – especially the really fine one – yeah – I used it a few times and then thought better of it.
So, I would conclude, in my humble opinion (common sense really) – that slow, deliberate, thoughtful working – is not only the key to better craftsmanship but also the key to maintaining your health!
So a few weeks on now, i’ve splashed out a bit and got myself covered.
I have a Record AC400 Air Filter On a high shelf above my workbench. Incredible how much this sucks out of the air. Its not to noisy at all, has a remote control switch and can be set to turn itself off at the end of the day, so you can leave it on to continue to filter after you’ve left.
But, this won’t deal with the dust at the moment its created of course. So I also purchased a full face respirator – a power cap IP – which I purchased from an english webshop I might add as it was considerably cheaper than over here in the Netherlands!
At first I thought this was a bit over the top, and I felt a bit like Major Tom, but finally this makes a real difference. Its comfortable, doesn’t hinder working, and keeps your face cool as well.
Again the dust this collects is quite shocking – so im very glad I bought it. I will probably get a lathe sometime in the coming years, so it will then be an essential piece of kit.
You do forget you are wearing it sometimes, as I reach to scratch my nose … 😉
So yeah Dust. It needs to be taken seriously.
- This reply was modified 5 years ago by Paul Oram.
Thanks for all the feedback. I just visited my doctor, who reassured me that all was ok with my lungs.
Which was good to hear.
I don’t have an allergy – no rashes or irritations.
Wood-wise ive just been using pine, poplar and beech – but I think the real problem came from using an old palette – recycling and all that seemed a good idea, but I think it was treated with something – it gave off really fine powdery dust. Ive got a piece of mahogany which I hear can be problematic – if and when I use it for something I’ll make sure it doesn’t involve to much working. I should probably buy my wood ready squared.
Mask wise – a proper rubber half face mask from Elipse – for dust and fumes.
Yes, the Record Air filter (a green metal box that hangs from the ceiling) was the one I was thinking of getting – so thanks for the recommendation.
So I think it will be fine as long as I learn by my mistakes and take certain precautions.
Yes, I think I would stick to machine planed wood most of the time, this was a good exercise to try out my planes – a vintage Stanley 7, a Lie-Nielsen 62 and a Woodriver 4 and get a feel for them.
Of these two planks, the first took 40 minutes, the second half that – just trusting your gut seems the best way.
Thanks for the great advice. Much appreciated.
Thanks for the comment.
I managed to square up two nice planks out of the rough cut warped bowed and twisted bit of Beech I bought. Took an hour or so, amazing the amount of shavings! My low angle jack plane worked the best, but the best thing was just a squiggle of wax on the sole – worked a treat.
Yeah your right about the exotic woods – I’ll stick to more common hardwoods.
Hi Henry
Well, I’m not Dutch, but I live in The Hague. I’m a beginner and I really want to teach myself how to work with wood, so I’ve invested in some good tools. I must admit the tools themselves are just as interesting to find out about.
Ik heb in de afgelopende maanden een blokhut in mijn tuin gebouwd, daar heb ik een werkruimte iets van 2,5 x 3,5 meters. Ik heb geen interesse in powertools, en heb alleen maar vintage en nieuwe handgereedschappen gekocht, sommige van Baptist, maar ook vanuit Engeland van http://www.workshopheaven.com en woodworkersworkshop.co.uk. De vintage gereedschappen (stanley/record) heb ik gekocht van een webwinkel die http://www.tooltique.co.uk heet. Zij restaureren items om weer te kunnen gebruiken – ik ben heel enthousiast over hun service.
De volgende stap is een trip naar Amsterdam of/en Arnhem fijnhout denk ik. Ik wil gevoel voor verschillende soorten hout krijgen. Eigenlijk wist ik niet hoe moeilijk het zou zijn om ‘echt’ hout te kopen! Tweedehands meubelen recyclen is ook een mogelijkheid.
Eerste project – opslagruimte voor onder mijn werkbank maken.
Zo wat heb je gemaakt, en heb je advies voor een beginner? Ik ben benieuwd.
Groet
Paul -
AuthorPosts