Cutting flags - Dust problem

[Grant1]

I'm using a 110v grinder with a Macrist diamond blade to cut flags. The dust is really bad.

I presume the blade is for 'dry use' only. Would a 'wet use' cause any damage to the blade or compromise safety, ie getting an electric shock?

[rab1]

use a dust mask and i mean a good one not the cheap and nasty type. (dont know how to post a link but look a 3m`s site for ideas)

[GB_Groundworks]

old hoover sucking dust up?

your better off with 110 than 240 but still dodgy

get a petrol cut off saw, and like rab says a decent mask, glasses etc

[Grant1]

Rab,

Screwfix (local) has a couple of good ones, including 3m. I'll go tomorrow.

GB,

I'll try the old hoover - has to be better than nothing.

Dust from cutting and grinding is bad for the health but it's also unpopular with neighbours, especially in the summer if the woman next door is sunbathing and covered in sun tan oil (you could offer to wash it off).

[seanandruby]

A petrol,or air cutter with a water pump dust suppressant is the only way to go Grant. Also a good quality dust mask. go to the online video on the main index called, '' clear the air''.

[Grant1]

Sean,

You're absolutely right, mate. The part of the video regarding lung diseases is frightening.

[r44flyer]

If you haven't bought one already, I'd recommend this one... http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/products.jsp?id=13038&ts=05735

It works very well. I got one for cutting chases in brick walls, the dust was immense but I found none of it round my nostrils when I was done, which is where it usually ends up with crap masks.

[seanandruby]

If you haven't bought one already, I'd recommend this one... http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/products.jsp?id=13038&ts=05735

It works very well. I got one for cutting chases in brick walls, the dust was immense but I found none of it round my nostrils when I was done, which is where it usually ends up with crap masks.

And what about everyone else, ie, joe public ???

[lutonlagerlout]

its all very well on 10million pound big jobs sean ,but if you tell someone its going to cost a grand extra on a £10k job you wont be doing it
the water thing is a double edged sword
sure it keeps the dust down ,but the mess it produces is unbelievable and very hard to shift

I can see a time when all cutters have dust extraction built in,but its not here yet

i own one of these and they produce like a fine grit instead of dust and they have a hoover attachment
but they are bloody expensive and slow to cut anything other than blockwork
LLL

[seanandruby]

its all very well on 10million pound big jobs sean ,but if you tell someone its going to cost a grand extra on a £10k job you wont be doing it
the water thing is a double edged sword
sure it keeps the dust down ,but the mess it produces is unbelievable and very hard to shift

I can see a time when all cutters have dust extraction built in,but its not here yet

i own one of these and they produce like a fine grit instead of dust and they have a hoover attachment
but they are bloody expensive and slow to cut anything other than blockwork
LLL

100 million is more like it. I also do work for myself sometimes LLL. I, or we rather, don't make the rules about dust suppression. I hate to see a tradesman cutting in a residential area with clouds of dust flying around. It is bad for your health and everyone around you also does'nt look professional. Make a bund, once you have it, you have it.

[darrenba]

Has anyone tried one of these? It's supposedly got a dust extraction port but I'm not sure how effective it would be. Quite a bit cheaper than a petrol cutter too.

Evolution 305mm Disc Cutter

[r44flyer]

If you haven't bought one already, I'd recommend this one... http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/products.jsp?id=13038&ts=05735

It works very well. I got one for cutting chases in brick walls, the dust was immense but I found none of it round my nostrils when I was done, which is where it usually ends up with crap masks.

And what about everyone else, ie, joe public ???

I was indoors ??? If the OP thinks the public will get whatever dust he creates, he can think of something else. I don't know what he's doing exactly, or where it is!

[lutonlagerlout]

we had to cut some chases in a garage this morning
the hose attachment kept coming off so we ended up with my mate with watering can watering the blade as i cut the chases
kept the dust down but the fumes were pretty bad even with the doors open and a mask on
thing is we are all doing stuff now that in 10 -15 years will be banned
my money is on celotex being the next big health scare
LLL

[mickg]

i would of thought the size of the dust particle when cutting celotex is smaller than what you get from cutting block paving or stone flags but as you say there is no issue with the insulation........well yet anyway ???

i use one of these to remove the dust

[rab1]

personally lads i think the fags will get me first. ???