The Daily Fix

How To Control Drywall Dust: Six Products That Help Contain the Mess

comments (2) April 1st, 2009 in Blogs

FHB_WEB, member

Disposable hooded coveralls

Add Comment
Print

by Tom O'Brien

The basics, such as tape and plastic, can be found at your local hardware store. Professional-grade products might have to be purchased from a retailer specializing in remodeling and personal safety. My favorite sources are Protective Products (www.protectiveproducts.com) and Aramsco (www.aramsco.com). Both companies carry many of the remodeling supplies that I use regularly.

For especially dusty jobs, I keep my clothes clean by wearing disposable hooded coveralls. They also can be taken off and left in the work area so that I don’t track dust through the house. From $5 to $10 a pair; www.aramsco.com.

A sticky TakMat Dirt Grabber captures gritty debris from your shoes. When the mat is coated with dust, peel off the top layer to expose a fresh sheet; each mat has 30 layers. $58; www.protectiveproducts.com.

TakMat Dirt Grabber

Lightweight ZipWall Poles are spring-loaded and can be extended up to 12 ft. so that temporary dust curtains can be erected and adjusted without tape or lumber. The two-part head lets you attach the plastic before lifting each pole. They’re great for quickly isolating a workspace or for constructing a more permanent room divider. The basic kit costs about $110 and includes two poles and compatible nonmarring pads; www.zipwall.com.

3M Blue Tape is available in many lengths and widths, but the important difference lies in the tack rating. The standard blue tape is a good all-around choice for sealing doors and attaching plastic. It can be left in place for 14 days before the adhesive becomes gummy and threatens to lift off paint or stain. The low-tack tape is safe to leave in place for up to 60 days, but it’s flimsier and doesn’t work as well for taping heavy plastic. Prices start around $4; www.3m.com.


14 Day 3M Blue Tape		60 Day 3M Blue Tape

Festool’s tool-actuated vacuums are expensive, but they are my top choice for carpentry work. I particularly appreciate the innovations Festool has made with vacuum-connected routers and circular saws that make these tools nearly dust-free. Vacuum prices start at about $275; www.festool.com.

Festool's tool-actuated vacuum

For such a small, quiet, and lightweight unit, the Shop-Vac Air Cleaner does an impressive job of capturing airborne dust before it can settle on surfaces or be inhaled by workers. About $100; www.shopvac.com.

Read the complete article...
Dust Control
Nobody will notice your flawless miters if the home is covered in filth. Here's how to clear the air and contain the mess.
by Tom O'Brien

posted in: Blogs, remodeling, finish carpentry, safety, walls, dust collection

Add Comment Print

How to Convert a Closet into a Laundry Room

Back to List

How to Make a Cutting Platform for Sheet Goods

Comments (2)

Joshiewashie writes: Thanks for the tips! I have never tried that sticky stuff before, and I think that it would be the answer that I need for the next home improvement project that I want to work on. There is going to be a lot of walls that I need to knock down and change so I know there will be a lot of work and a ton of dust everywhere which will not be fun to clean up. www.buildsitepro.com
Posted: 1:57 pm on October 20th

alightsaber writes: This works very well. It can be used for many projects. It can be scaled down for smaller projects.
Posted: 5:04 pm on April 2nd

You must be logged in to post comments. Log in.

Stay connected with Fine Homebuilding