control fiberglass dust

[arch007]

Thinking of cutting off top layer of 3 by 3 ft deck as core is rotten.


Using circular saw.



Wonder how people control the dust caused ?


Is there a tool or just use vacuum.


But I need two hands to control the saw.


Thanks.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by arch007

Thinking of cutting off top layer of 3 by 3 ft deck as core is rotten.


Using circular saw.



Wonder how people control the dust caused ?


Is there a tool or just use vacuum.


But I need two hands to control the saw.


Thanks.

Wind should take care of it before you can vacuum it up. It's going to be messy, unfortunately.

[capt jgw]

Duct tape the vacuum hose to the saw. Not perfect but better than nothing. They make vacuum attachments for grinders, maybe there's one for a circle saw? Never seen one but shop around.

[Bill O]

Dust control w/a circular saw will be tough and you may want a 2nd person to vacuum while you cut.
Best filter I've found for any type of very fine dust is a gortex filter in a shop vac like this one.

In addition wear a good dust mask and safety googles.

[jimbunyard]

If you're in an open area, strategic use and dynamic positioning of a high velocity fan can work wonders. If you have a helper to position the fan as you go, even better. Paying attention to the wind direction also helps. I use the same techniques when cutting hardiboard. Don't be tempted to forego a mask though; microscopic particles still pervade the immediate atmosphere, these are probably more potentially dangerous than the itchy stuff.

Same procedure for grinding, which you'll be doing more of than sawing, if you do it right...

If you're in a closed space, you can try vacuuming as you go, but unless you have a professional-level setup, you'll be mostly whistling dixie; better to go with a full tyvek suit, gloves and all the rest, and vacuum up after you're done.

[Spot]

What about an oscillating multi-tool with a good, fresh blade?

They are not as fast as a circular saw but the mess will be localized and the potential for a kickback or overcut will be reduced.

I had to cut loose 32 feet of chopped strand mat from hull to plywood joint in my boat. Cheap blades dulled in a couple feet, good blades lasted 16-20 feet.

A router with a small diameter (1/8" [3.2mmm]) cutter and dust hood would be my next choice but I have yet to try this on a boat. I would want a template or straight edge to guide the router from 'drifting' if I were to do it on a larger piece at home.

[keepondancin]

Festool makes a saw that rides on a track, and connects to a vac system. The saw and vac would run close to $1000. See if there is a local woodworker that has one, and would let you use it, or make the cut for you. Replacement blade is about $65. I used one cutting wood in a garage, next to a new BMW, and when done, after sweeping the floor I go about a table spoon of dust. Next choice would be a Fein oscillating tool with a good shop vac next to the cut. I would yield the finest kerf is you were going to reinstall the cut out in the ceck.

[roverhi]

My Fein oscillating saw has a dust attachment to hook to a vacuum. Haven't used it but one of the goodies with that came with that expensive tool. It must be a Euro thing but Fein tools all came with vacuum attachments long before any US toolmakers thought about it. The problem is all the Fein stuff is tres cher. Fein must have had a patent that's now run out on the oscillating saw as they were the only source when I bought mine. Now they are all over the place.

[jimbunyard]

Yeah, well, those stinking German soshulists have laws protecting workers and the environment, hence 'cutting edge' tecknologies like dust extraction...

But---I've got one of their basic dual action sanders, and I can't say I'm particularly impressed, 600.00+ and have had to replace motor bearings, DA bearings, power switch and cord. Dropped it from about 4 feet when I first got it and the insert the side handle screws into popped out of the main housing, and this ain't really a one-hand tool. Works really good though otherwise...

[atoll]

use a 4" disc grinder with a 1.5mm metal cutting blade makes much less dust,adjust the guard for depth of cut

[s/v Jedi]

Use a track saw that has a dust extraction port, plunge cut etc.

[fourlyons]

Yep, a track saw is the way to go, very accurate, controllable and excellent dust collection. If you work much with sheet goods ( ie. plywood) you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.

The $1000 Festool is the original, but you can buy decent, cheap versions from Grizzly and others for about $200.

[s/v Jedi]

We found that for us, the Makita was The best price/quality option