So, you need to buy an industrial dust collector. Do you know how to choose the best one for the job?
If you work with wood, have a manufacturing company, or work in an industry that creates dust, a dust collector can help keep you safe.
Home woodworking has become popular in the DIY age and modern equipment has made this craft accessible to just about anyone. A dust collector might not make every list of essential woodworking tools. But, whether you’re working with wood for fun or manufacturing parts to meet client specifications, a dust collector should be part of your shop.
Keep reading to learn how to choose the best one for your needs!
Why Buy an Industrial Dust Collector?
In recent decades, wood dust inhalation has become recognized as a real health risk. It’s actually a carcinogen which means inhaling it can contribute to cancer in the lungs and other body parts.
People have sought to find many ways to manage the buildup of dust during woodworking. However, a dust collector is the most efficient and effective way to clear the dust from the air before it gets into your lungs.
In fact, you’ll notice that many woodworking machines include a hood to help trap dust.
But, the dust collecting machines built into woodworking tools aren’t always effective enough to catch all the dust they produce. That’s why industrial dust collectors are an important part of any woodworker’s equipment.
Types of Industrial Dust Collectors
There are a few different dust collection methods used by different machines. Here are some of the most common types of industrial dust collectors you might run into.
Fabric Filter
New fabric filter designs work well to capture really fine dust particles in the air.
Fine dust particles are also the most dangerous ones since they can easily get into your body and wreak havoc. They can get deeper into the body, and your body is less efficient at getting rid of these tiny pieces of wood. They’re also the hardest to catch with dust collection systems.
New fabric filters are designed to catch those tiny, toxic particles. These are also a very cost-effective dust collection solution. With fabric filters, the dust-filled air enters the bag and only clean air can get out again.
Inertial Separator
Inertial separators use force to separate dust from gases in the air. The forces used can be inertial, centrifugal, or gravitational.
They separate the dust by moving it to a place where the force from the stream of gas being filtered is less powerful. Then, the dust is stored in the collector for you to safely remove later.
Electrostatic Precipitator
This kind of separator removes the dust from the exhaust using electrostatic force. If you have an ionic air purifier in your home, it works much the same way as these dust collecting systems.
Wet Scrubber
Wet scrubbers get the dust wet with a liquid, such as water, to separate it out from the air. The dust adheres to the drops of water, making it easy to separate out. Then the wet dust gets removed from the collector.
Although new technology has created many different variations in dust collecting systems, these are the most common ones you’ll encounter as you shop around. Now, let’s look at how to choose the right machine for your needs.
How to Choose the Best Dust Collector Machine
While choosing an industrial dust collector, keep these things in mind to make sure you get a machine that will keep you and anyone around you as safe as possible.
1. Dust Collector or Shop Vac?
Some people might try to replace a dust collector with a simple, inexpensive shop vacuum. However, this is a dangerous choice that’s best avoided.
Shop vacs can only work to clean your space after your work is finished. They don’t help clean the air as you go.
They also aren’t designed to catch the tiny, airborne particles that can do the most damage to your body. The particles that are large and heavy enough to fall to the ground and get vacuumed up aren’t really the ones you need to worry about.
2. How is Your Dust Getting Made?
Different dust collectors work better for different needs. Before you choose, you should consider what kind of dust you’re generating, and through what processes.
Think about how often dust gets created in your processes, as well. Do you need a collector that can run all day or just for a few hours at a time?
The type of dust is important, too. Some systems are better suited for fine particles, while others are great at catching heavy, bulky dust.
3. Where Will the Collector Go?
When you decide what type of industrial dust collector you want, you’ll need to check to see that your space can support that system.
Will it fit well into your existing space or do you need to make changes to make it work? Is your space inside or outside?
A dust collector that breaks down when you install it in the wrong space won’t do you any good. Make sure to pick the best design for the situation.
4. Will the Supplier Offer Support After Sale?
Finally, it’s important to pick a supplier that will offer you the right kind of support even after you buy and install their product.
Will they help with sourcing replacement parts? Is there a warranty?
Make sure you can get assistance if there’s an issue with the product in the future.
Looking For a Dust Collector for Sale?
If you’ve been working without an industrial dust collector, it’s time to take action and invest in one right away. Your health, and the health of everyone working around you, is too important to wait.
While different dust collectors can work well for different needs, most experts agree that fabric filters are the best way to catch the most dangerous small particles. Our fabric filters can keep you safe — check out our selection here.
