chyancarrek

"just stirs up the dust but doesn't really get rid of it"

Totally agree, but I got lucky - the way my shop doors are placed I get excellent airflow. When they're all open and I have the fans on, the majority of airborne dust heads right on out the bay doors and I've broken up those hard to reach areas that accumulate dust so quickly.

Hey Glenn,

Because I have to share a common space between my wood shop and my blacksmith shop I have to be hyper-vigilant on keeping the wood dust under control (one golden BB from the BS side and it's all over). I divide my work up between disciplines so when I'm done woodworking I go through the entire shop with a shop vac. Once that's done I use an air hose and nozzle to blow off every surface in the shop. I agree it can be a respiratory issue but I open all my doors (2 roll ups and 2 man-doors), turn on the overhead fans then wear a respirator. Having done this on a very regular basis (a couple times a week) I've found that staying ahead of the accumulation makes all the difference.

For the motors I use a method I learned from the owner of the custom furniture shop I worked in. I take the air nozzle and hold it about 10" away from the vents in the motor then turn on the machine and blow air through it while it's running to clean the motor out. He's done this for going on 20 yrs and I've been doing it for about 10 and I've never had a motor failure or any dust related problems with the equipment.

As with all shop routines - staying diligent about clean up makes everything else work that much better.

Welcome Steve!

My ex had relatives in Port Alberni so we went through Nanaimo on many occasions when we'd go a-visitin' - Beautiful part of the world you live in.

I just discovered this site myself this month and you're right - it's a great resource full o' good folk!

Enjoy!

Hey Pete,

For sheet 1/8th and thinner I use my variable speed jigsaw. I'm always cutting circles and irregular shapes so it works really well.

I also rigged up a removable cutting deck for my metal cutting band saw that gives me a little more support area for cutting when the saw is vertical. It's pretty versatile for cutting a variety of shapes.

Couldn't say for stainless. I only use a plasma because I've never had luck using a mechanical means to cut it.

Thanks for the Welcome Jayco!

Seems like a great bunch o' folk here!

Mine's attached to a retracting key chain holder - I glued a magnet on the side of the holder then attached it to the side of my drill press. When I'm done with it, the key retracts up out of the way.

hmm, the attachments didn't seem to work . . .

Let me try again.

Hey Ted,
Thanks for the welcome. I agree completely, putting wood and metal together really brings out the best in both materials. The wood warms the metal and makes it less intimidating and the metal grounds the wood - gives it a very finished feel.

I've attached a pic of my specialty - hand hammered serving dishes with wood holder/stands (I didn't do the knives just the holder). I also do a lot of traditional stuff - coat racks, hall trees, quilt racks etc. I don't do large scale furniture anymore except for a select few clients.

Take care!

Hey All,
Just joined up - Nice site you have here!

I've been a blacksmith and furniture maker for about 10 yrs - I've got a small shop where I combine iron and woodwork - great way to make a livin'!
I also do bronze work in a friend of mine's sculpture studio. Nothing like pouring 300lbs of metal like a hot cup o' Joe!

Look forward to getting to know you!