Vacuum dust control for wood floor sanders is an engineering control that can reduce exposure to wood dust. Wood floor sanders with vacuum dust control are large machines with a rotating sanding drum or random orbiting sanding disks that are enclosed to allow for the removal of dust created by the sanding process. Air is drawn from the floor and the sanding drum or disks and into the dust port within the machine by an internal fan and a vacuum attachment, capturing dust near 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.  Cyclonic pre-separators, either as an integral part of the vacuum or as a separate unit, should be used to collect the majority of the particles before they reach the filters.  A cyclonic pre-separator spins the air and dust, forcing particles to the outside of a cone-shaped vessel and then down into a bag, hopper or vacuum hose.  Use of a cyclonic pre-separator reduces the amount of dust that collects on the filter, which increases the useful life of expensive filters and helps to maintain the vacuum’s initial airflow rate.

A wood dust capture and control system is recommended by OSHA and is commonly used in the form of a vacuum dust collector, which allows for the safe removal of most airborne dust particles generated by sanding. Using a vacuum with filters, instead of a dust bag, greatly reduces the risk to operators and other workers on a site.

Bona Belt Wood Floor Sander

• Compatible with Bona Dust Collection Systems and the Oneida-Bona Retrofit Handle and Vortex Vacuum
• Sanding Drum Width: 8 or 10 inches
• Abrasive Sleeve Dimensions: 7 7/8 x 29 ½ inches or 9 7/8 x 29 ½ inches
• Sanding Drum Speed: 2,300 revolutions per minute
• Power Requirements: 230 volts, 30 amps, single phase
• Weight: 175 - 183 pounds
• Sound Pressure Level: 98 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)

Bona Portable Dust Collection System

The Bona Portable DCS uses a cyclonic separator and a HEPA filter.

• Dust Capacity: 18.5 gallons
• Airflow Rate: 140 cubic feet per minute
• Maximum Static Pressure: 132 inches of water
• Power Requirements: 115 volts, 14 amps
• Weight: 95 pounds
• Filtration: primary coarse filter and secondary HEPA filter, capable of removing 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size)
• Sound Pressure Level: 80 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)

Oneida-Bona Universal Retrofit Handle

The Oneida handle installs on the Bona sander and attaches to a Vortex vacuum (shown below). Using the airflow provided by the sander, the dust-laden air is passed through the cyclone on the handle, removing the majority of wood dust, before passing through the handle’s HEPA filter. The Vortex vacuum pulls the dust captured by the cyclone through a hose to the remote cyclonic separator where the dust is collected in a waste container. The air is passed through a HEPA filter at the vacuum before being exhausted.

• Uses a cyclone pre-separator, eliminating the need for cloth dust bags
• Filtration: HEPA filter, capable of removing 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size)
• Weight: 6 pounds

Kunzle and Tasin Taurus Wood Floor Sander

• Compatible with the Oneida-Kunzle and Tasin Retrofit Handle and Vortex Vacuum (shown below)
• Sanding Drum Diameter: 7 1/4 inches
• Abrasive Sleeve Dimensions: 8 x 29 ½ inches
• Sanding Drum Speed: 2,000 – 2,200 revolutions per minute
• Power Requirements: 220/230 volts, 30 amps, single phase
• Weight: 188 pounds
• Disassembles into 3 parts
• Sound Pressure Level: 88 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)

Oneida-Kunzle and Tasin Retrofit Handle

The Oneida handle installs on the Kunzle and Tasin Taurus sander and attaches to a Vortex vacuum (shown below). Using the airflow provided by the sander, the dust-laden air is passed through the cyclone on the handle, removing the majority of wood dust, before passing through the handle’s HEPA filter. The Vortex vacuum pulls the dust captured by the cyclone through a hose to the remote cyclonic separator where the dust is collected in a waste container. The air is passed through a HEPA filter at the vacuum before being exhausted.

• Uses a cyclone pre-separator, eliminating the need for cloth dust bags
• Filtration: HEPA filter, capable of removing 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size)
• Weight: 6 pounds

Clarke EZ-8 Wood Floor Sander

• Compatible with the Oneida-Clark Retrofit Handle and Vortex Vacuum (shown below)
• Sanding Drum Diameter: 8 inches
• Abrasive Sleeve Dimensions: 8 x 19 inches
• Sanding Drum Speed: 1,800 revolutions per minute
• Power Requirements: 115 volts, 14 amps, single phase
• Weight: 105 pounds
• Motor is completely enclosed
• Sound Pressure Level: 84 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)

Oneida-Clarke Retrofit Handle

The Oneida handle installs on the Clarke EZ-8 sander and attaches to a Vortex vacuum (shown below). Using the airflow provided by the sander, the dust-laden air is passed through the cyclone on the handle, removing the majority of wood dust, before passing through the handle’s HEPA filter. The Vortex vacuum pulls the dust captured by the cyclone through a hose to the remote cyclonic separator where the dust is collected in a waste container. The air is passed through a HEPA filter at the vacuum before being exhausted.

• Uses a cyclone pre-separator, eliminating the need for cloth dust bags
• Filtration: HEPA filter, capable of removing 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size)
• Weight: 6 pounds

Cherry Hill Super Bee Wood Floor Sander

The Cherry Hill floor sander uses 4 circular sanding pads.

• Compatible with the Oneida-Cherry Hill Retrofit Handle and Vortex Vacuum (shown below)
• Uses four, randomly orbiting, 6-inch sanding disks
• Total Abrasive Dimensions: 16 x 16 inches
• Sanding Disk Speed: 3,500 revolutions per minute
• Power Requirements: 220 volts, 20 amps, single phase
• Weight: 145 pounds
• Sound Pressure Level: not available but likely to exceed 90 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average)

Oneida-Cherry Hill Retrofit Handle

The Oneida handle installs on the Super Bee sander and attaches to a Vortex vacuum (shown below). Using the airflow provided by the sander, the dust-laden air is passed through the cyclone on the handle, removing the majority of wood dust, before passing through the handle’s HEPA filter. The Vortex vacuum pulls the dust captured by the cyclone through a hose to the remote cyclonic separator where the dust is collected in a waste container. The air is passed through a HEPA filter at the vacuum before being exhausted.

• Uses a cyclone pre-separator, eliminating the need for cloth dust bags
• Filtration: HEPA filter, capable of removing 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size)
• Weight: 6 pounds

Lagler Hummel Wood Floor Sander

• Compatible with the Oneida-Lagler Hummel Retrofit Handle and Vortex Vacuum (shown below)
• Sanding Drum Diameter: 7 7/8 inches
• Sanding Drum Speed: 2,880 revolutions per minute
• Power Requirements: 220 volts, 30 amps, single phase
• Weight: 174 pounds
• Abrasive Sleeve Dimensions: 7 7/8 x 29 ½ inches
• Sound Pressure Level: 78 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)

Oneida-Lagler Hummel Retrofit Handle

The Oneida handle installs on the Hummel sander and attaches to a Vortex vacuum (shown below). Using the airflow provided by the sander, the dust-laden air is passed through the cyclone on the handle, removing the majority of wood dust, before passing through the handle’s HEPA filter. The Vortex vacuum pulls the dust captured by the cyclone through a hose to the remote cyclonic separator where the dust is collected in a waste container. The air is passed through a HEPA filter at the vacuum before being exhausted.

• Uses a cyclone pre-separator, eliminating the need for cloth dust bags
• Filtration: HEPA filter, capable of removing 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size)
• Weight: 6 pounds

Oneida Vortex Dust Collection Systems

The Vortex dust collectors attach to any retrofit handles from Oneida. Using the airflow provided by the sander, the dust-laden air is passed through the cyclone on the handle, removing the majority of wood dust, before passing through the handle’s HEPA filter. The Vortex vacuum pulls the dust captured by the cyclone through a hose to the remote cyclonic separator where the dust is collected in a waste container. The air is passed through a HEPA filter at the vacuum before being exhausted.

*Approximate airflow rate were provided by the manufacturer but are not published

• Cyclonic separator
• Dust Capacity: 35 gallons
• Filtration: HEPA filter, capable of removing 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size)
• 1 ½ inch Static Dissipating Hose
• Sound Pressure Level: approximately 75 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)

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.

• Keeping your head away from dust created by the process and using adequate ventilation are keys 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. Automatic and manual filter shakers and coarse pre-filters are available with some vacuums and may help maintain the air flow rate.