HammerMonkey Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 I have a 20' x 24' pole barn that I originally built for working on my vehicles, and other projects. I started blacksmithing/bladesmithing as a hobbyist a little over a year ago, and have been devoting more time to this especially in the last 6 months. I set up my smithy in the middle of my pole barn (and now have to change my truck's oil in my gravel driveway ). Aside from losing the space to work on the truck, the biggest problem I've found is that everything in my shop is now covered in dust & grit from grinding. Even stuff in the loft has a coat of this grit. I always have the roll up door open when I am working, but the dust settles inside mostly for whatever reason... I plan to build a lean-to style structure on the side of my pole barn this spring that will measure approximately 14' x 20'. Part of this area will be walled off for yard tool storage, leaving a 10' x 20' or 14' x 15' space for my smithy, depending on the layout I choose. I am wondering if anyone does their grinding in a dedicated space to keep the grit and dirt from polluting the rest of their workspace? If I segregate off a small room for grinding, I think I will have to add some ventilation or vacuum collector or the atmosphere in the small room might be super contaminated with all of the particulates. I always wear a respirator when grinding, but I am thinking that the air in a small space might just get absolutely choked with particles of grit and such. I also am concerned about the risk of explosion in that environment too. Any thoughts or experience to share? Thanks in advance, Shady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 I would look into a vacuum system, but keep it cleaned out. Dust particals and sparks can make big booms.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mtnstream Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Look at some of the latest Alex Steele you tube stuff...he created an enclosed grinding room with ventilation. Looks like it contains the dust and grit well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted January 24, 2018 Share Posted January 24, 2018 Or set it up so the dust is expelled outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigb Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 I set up an area outside with work tables and a tin roof, I do all my heavy grinding out there. Of course it doesn't get very cold here so that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerald Boggs Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 Next I build a forge,(still deciding on whether to stay in this house, otherwise would have already) I'll be separating all my work into separate rooms: forging/general work, grinding, storage, and finishing. And an acid area under cover, but outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HammerMonkey Posted January 25, 2018 Author Share Posted January 25, 2018 I plan to have a covered area that is outside of my Smithy. It will be a concrete pad that measures about 4' x 14', with the roof of the new shop extending over it. This will be part of a continuous single slab of concrete for the entire new workshop. I will have a large sliding door that opens to that covered area, that will allow me to roll whatever work bench or equipment in or outside as I need. I plan to use that outside area for my charcoal forge and maybe MIG welding oxy/acet cutting, etc. I could grind out there too I suppose. I like the separate room that Alex Steele has set up, but space constraints and the complications/costs of ventilation/dust collection may limit my plans. This is a rough sketch of what I am thinking. If I make a separate grinding room, I won't have a door in the back of the shop for cross ventilation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigb Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 As a side note, that fine metal dust that seems to find it's way everywhere is a good reminder to wear a respirator, even for brief grinding sessions. I find if I keep them hanging around the shop I am more likely to grab one. A Ziplock bag keeps them clean when not in use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HammerMonkey Posted January 26, 2018 Author Share Posted January 26, 2018 11 hours ago, bigb said: As a side note, that fine metal dust that seems to find it's way everywhere is a good reminder to wear a respirator, even for brief grinding sessions. I find if I keep them hanging around the shop I am more likely to grab one. A Ziplock bag keeps them clean when not in use. Those are great ideas! I only have the one respirator and I "usually" have it on when I should... but I am guilty of the "This will just take a minute" excuse for sometimes not taking the time to find it and put it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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