: You can make your sander/vac combination way more efficient with a
: couple of changes. Switching to a Clearstream HEPA filter
: cartridge will literally cut down nearly 100% of the blow-by,
: and will barely cut down on efficiency (If you're really worried
: about dust clogging the filter and cutting efficiency you can
: add an Oneida Dust Deputy in line before the vacuum.) It's a
: pretty cheap upgrade. Also, upgrade your sandpaper to Mirka
: Abranet mesh abrasives. They allow considerably more dust to
: pass through into the dust collection, making it literally
: almost dustless. They don't last as long as sheet sandpaper, but
: it's a balance between dust and cutting efficiency. I use both,
: depending on the situation. On a kayak the dust collection on
: any sander even with a vac won't be as good as it is on
: something flat, so you can compensate with the Abranet.

: Safe is good. I've worked with guys in commercial shops who don't
: use masks or sanders with dust collection, and I'm confused as
: to why they're surprised that they developed asthma.

: m

Thanks; good suggestions. Get too excited to jump into the actual woodwork, skip a few important steps - big mistake. Watch your health, boys! Hard to get those lungs back once they're shot. And get a bit of epoxy allergy, and your (epoxy) boat building days are over (or at least more complicated)