Solution Summary: Hand-held Wood Circular Saws with Vacuum Dust Control
Description:
Vacuum dust control for circular saws is an engineering control that can reduce the exposure to wood dust. The saws are fitted with hoods that partially enclose the top half of the saw blade and have a port to allow for the extraction of woodworking dust. When a vacuum is attached to the extraction port, air is drawn past the blade and into the port, capturing dust at the point of generation. The wood dust is then collected and removed from the work environment, reducing the concentration in the worker's breathing zone and the opportunity for skin contact.
A wood dust capture and control system is recommended by OSHA and is commonly used in the form of a vacuum dust collector. These methods allow for the safe removal of most airborne dust particles that result from cutting wood. Using a vacuum with filters, instead of ventilating to the outdoors greatly reduces the risk to other workers on a site. However, wood dust control by means of exhausting to the outdoors may be acceptable.
- Cost: $340 (verified 5/2011)
- Vacuum Take-Off Diameter: 1-7/16 inches
- Weight: 9.7 pounds
- Maximum Revolutions per Minute: 5,200
- Power Requirements: 120 volts, 12.0 amps
- Blade Diameter: 6.5 inches
- Arbor Diameter: 20 millimeter
- Sound Pressure 89 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)
![](/gallery/Evolution%20Rage%20B%20Circular%20Saw.jpg)
Model
|
Cost
|
Maximum Revolutions per Minute
|
Weight (pounds)
|
Vacuum Take-Off Diameter (inches)
|
Rage B
|
$100
|
3,500
|
17.2
|
1-3/8
|
Rage
|
$170
|
3,900
|
14.3
|
1-1/4
|
- Power Requirements: 115 volts, 15.0 amps
- Blade Diameter: 7.25 inches
- Arbor Diameter: 20 millimeters
- Sound Pressure Level: 101-108 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)
![](/gallery/image/CT%20Dust%20Extractor%20Hose.jpg)
- Cost: $76 (verified 4/2011)
- Diameter: 1-7/16 inch
- Length: 11.5 feet
![](/gallery/Festool%20TS%2075%20EQ%20Circular%20Saw.jpg)
Model
|
Cost
|
Power Requirements
|
Maximum Revolutions per Minute
|
Weight (pounds)
|
Arbor Size (millimeters)
|
Blade Diameter (inches)
|
TS 55 EQ
|
$530
|
120 volts, 10 amps
|
5,200
|
9.92
|
20
|
6.25
|
TS 75 EQ
|
$660
|
120 volts, 13 amps
|
3,550
|
13.6
|
30
|
8.25
|
- Vacuum Take-Off Diameter: 1.25 inches
- Sound Pressure Level: 95 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)
![](/gallery/CT%20MIDI%20Dust%20Extractor.jpg)
- Power Requirements: 120 volts, 3-10 amps
- Airflow Rate: 99 cubic feet per minute
- Maximum Static Pressure: 80 inches of water
- Filtration: paper filter is standard, optional HEPA filter, capable of removing 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size), can be purchased for approximately $33
- Sound Pressure Level: 72 dBA or less (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)
Model
|
Costs
|
Dust Capacity (gallons)
|
Hose Diameter
|
Weight (pounds)
|
CT MINI
|
$345
|
2.0
|
1 inch (22 millimeters)
|
21
|
CT MIDI
|
$395
|
3.3
|
1-1/16 inches (27 millimeters)
|
21.4
|
![](/gallery/image/CT%2026%20E%20Dust%20Extractor.jpg)
- Power Requirements: 120 volts, 2.9-10 amps
- Airflow Rate: 137 cubic feet per minute
- Maximum Static Pressure: 96 inches of water
- Filtration: HEPA filter capable of removing 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size)
- Hose Diameter: 1-1/16 inches (27 millimeters)
- Sound Pressure Level: 71 dBA or less (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)
Model
|
Costs
|
Dust Capacity (gallons)
|
Weight (pounds)
|
CT 26 E
|
$550
|
6.3
|
28.7
|
CT 36 E
|
$600
|
3.3
|
29.8
|
- Cost: $180 (verified 5/2011)
- Vacuum Take-Off Diameter: 1 inch
- Weight: 9.6 pounds
- Maximum Revolutions per Minute: 5,800
- Power Requirements: 120 volts, 15 amps
- Blade Diameter: 7.25 inches
- Arbor Diameter: 5/8 inch
- Sound Pressure Level: not available but likely to exceed 90 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average)
![](/gallery/image/Dewalt%20DWS520KCircular%20Saw.jpg)
- Cost: $450 (verified 5/2011)
- Vacuum Take-Off Diameter: 1.25 inch
- Weight: 11.5 pounds
- Maximum Revolutions per Minute: 4,000
- Power Requirements: 120 volts, 12 amps
- Blade Diameter: 6.5 inches
- Arbor Diameter: 20 millimeters
- Sound Pressure Level: not available but likely to exceed 90 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average)
![](/gallery/image/Pullman-Ermator%20c5500%20Pre-Separator.jpg)
- Removes approximately 90 percent of particulates and can be used with Pullman-Ermator or other dust extractors
- Dust collection: Longopac® bag system, which uses a 70 foot long plastic tube that is divided and sealed at the desired length
Models
|
Costs
|
Inlet Diameter (inches)
|
Weight (pounds)
|
C3000
|
$1,000
|
2
|
49
|
C5500
|
$1,900
|
3
|
130
|
![](/gallery/DustControl%20Vacuum%20DC-3800c-Twin.jpg)
- Cyclonic pre-separator
- Filtration: a fine filter, rated to remove 99.9 percent of particles, followed by a HEPA filter, rated to remove 99.95 percent of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size) following a European method (EN 1822-1). Additional testing, following IEC.60335-2-69, verifies the performance of the filter system (fine filter and HEPA filter) and the filters together when installed in the dust extractor.
- Features a “reverse air pulse cleaning system”
- When ordering Model DC 2800c specify a “rental” unit to receive an operation timer and inlet plug for a negative pressure gauge that can be used to monitor air flow
- Vacuum hose inlet diameter: 2 inches
- Sound Pressure Level: 68 to 75 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)
Models
|
Air Flow Rates (cubic feet per minute)
|
Maximum Static Pressure (inches of water)
|
Hose Diameter (inches)
|
Dust Capacity (gallons)
|
Vacuum Power Requirements
|
Vacuum Weight (pounds)
|
|
DC 1800
|
$1,300
|
114
|
84
|
1.5
|
4
|
115 volts, 10.4 amps
|
22
|
DC 2800c
|
$2,000
|
114
|
84
|
1.5
|
5
|
115 volts, 10.4 amps
|
31
|
DC 3800c
|
$3,900
|
192
|
84
|
2
|
5
|
115 volts, 20 amps
|
77
|
DC 3800c Twin
|
$4,900
|
192
|
84
|
2
|
10.5 for both bags
|
115 volts, 20 amps
|
120
|
Rockler Item Number
|
Item
|
Cost
|
24719
|
4-inch Diameter Dust Right™ Hose, 3 Feet Compressed, Extends to 21 Feet Long
|
$50
|
20431
|
5 Micron, 15 Gallon Replacement Bag
|
$30
|
25344
|
Rockler Wall Mount Dust Collector
|
$250
|
-
Reusable Heavy-Duty Cloth Dust Bags
- Bag Capacity: 15 gallons
- Filtration: 30 or 5 microns
- Weight: 50 pounds
- Power Requirements: 110 volts, 12 amps
- Air Flow Rate: 650 cubic feet per minute
![](/gallery/Delta%2050-761%20Dust%20Collector%281%29.jpg)
Item Number
|
Item
|
Cost
|
50-530
|
4-inch diameter hose, 10 feet long
|
$50
|
A04525
|
Replacement 4.8 cubic foot (35.9 gallon) Chip Bags (2 Pack)
|
$20
|
50-761
|
Delta 2 horse power Dust Collector
|
$850
|
- Chip Bag Capacity: 9.6 cubic feet (4.8 cubic feet per bag, both capturing dust at the same time)
- Weight: 132 pounds
- Power Requirements: 230 volts, 20 amps
- Air Flow Rate: 2,100 cubic feet per minute
- Filtration: 1 micron (washable bags)
- Number of 4-inch Hose Ports: 3
Risks Addressed:
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) published a threshold limit value (TLV) of 1 mg/m3 for wood dust, excluding western red cedar. The TLV for western red cedar is 0.5 mg/m3. Oak and beech wood dust have been confirmed as human carcinogens and birch, mahogany, teak, and walnut are classified as suspected human carcinogens (ACGIH, 2011).
How Risks are Reduced:
A vacuum dust control for circular saws is an engineering control that can reduce the exposure to wood dust. The saws are fitted with hoods that partially enclose the top half of the saw blade and have a port to allow for the extraction of woodworking dust. When a vacuum is attached to the extraction port, air is drawn past the blade and into the port, capturing dust at the point of generation. The wood dust is then collected and removed from the work environment, reducing the concentration in the worker's breathing zone and the opportunity for skin contact.
The Hitachi website states that their 7-1/4 inch dust reducing circular saw (model C7YAK) is "one of the most efficient dust collection saws on the market," has a dust collection shroud that "keeps work area clear of over 90% of debris" and can be used with a vacuum "to keep the work area clean and reduce airborne particles."
Effects on Productivity:
Vacuum dust collectors should have a positive effect on productivity and definitely improve the quality of the work by removing large amounts of dust, which provides a cleaner environment for operators and reduces the effort and time required for clean-up. In some cases, particularly where work is intermittent or in an area with general ventilation, use of dust collectors may be adequate to reduce the need to wear a respirator, and the need for an employer’s respiratory protection program.
Additional Considerations:
- Keeping your head away from dust created by the process and using adequate ventilation is key to controlling exposure to airborne dust particles.
- The Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL), which was established by the European Commission, stated that exposures greater than 0.5 mg/m3 of wood dust could cause pulmonary effects and should be avoided.
- The particles that can do the most damage in the lungs are small enough to penetrate or bypass the filters found on many shop vacuums. Additionally, some inexpensive shop vacuums pull the dust through the motors, which can destroy the vacuum on really dusty jobs, eliminating any initial cost savings.
- Vacuum performance must be monitored on a regular basis. A vacuum with a pressure gauge allows for frequent and easy monitoring of air flow. For high dust generating tasks, dust caked on the filter may reduce flow to a level where it no longer provides adequate dust capture.
As is the case with any construction equipment, users should follow manufacturer scheduled maintenance safety recommendations and comply with any applicable local, state or federal regulations.
Availability
DeWALT Model DWS520K Circular Saw
To obtain information, visit http://www.dewalt.com
or contact 1-800-433-9258
Delta Dust Collectors
To obtain information, visit http://www.cpoworkshop.com
or contact 1-866-268-0304
Festool TS 55 and TS 75 Circular Saws
To obtain information, visit http://www.festoolusa.com
or contact 1-888-337-8600
Dustcontrol, Inc. dust extractors
contact 1-910-395-1808 sales@dustcontrolusa.com
Porter Cable Model 423MAG Circular Saw
To obtain information, visit http://www.portercable.com
or contact 1-888-848-5175
Festool Hoses and Dust Extractors
To obtain information, visit http://festools-online.com
or contact 1-800-365-6677
Rockler Dust Collectors
To obtain information, visit http://www.rockler.com
or contact 1-800-279-4441
Pullman-Ermator Cyclonic Pre-Separator
To obtain information, visit http://www.pullman-ermator.se
or contact 1-800-282-1024 info@pullman-ermator.se
Evolution Rage Circular Saws Rage B
To obtain information, visit https://www.evolutionpowertools.com
or contact 1-866-386-8665
Makita Circular Saw Model SP6000J
To obtain information, visit http://www.makitatools.com
or contact 1-800-462-5482