“Once you start sanding and opening it up, creating those different shapes, it just really comes to life.”
Meet Luke
3M connected with woodworker Luke to tell his story about how 3M Dust Extraction technologies are making an impact in his work. Luke spends his time looking through pieces from old buildings, and while others may see debris, he sees an opportunity to create something new. “The salvage side. It's like a treasure hunt.”
But the work to make these treasures like new again, is usually a messy process. “The sanding process…is very crucial,” says Luke. “If you kind of neglect the dust, it's going to pile up and just cause a lot of trouble.” Oftentimes, dust can linger in the air for a few days—even up to a few weeks. Using only a broom pushes dust around the shop, sending more particles into the air and onto clothing.
“Before this, dust was a real problem for us. But now…we are so much more productive.”
Creating cleaner work environments
To help keep his shop safer so he can focus on his creations, Luke relies on 3M’s dust extraction systems. 3M aims to provide quality dust extraction products that can help reduce airborne dust particles. OSHA, NIOSH, and EPA recommend the use of vacuum sanders to control dust during sanding to help reduce potential workplace exposures. A technology that Luke advocates for as well. “Before this, dust was a real problem for us. But now…we are so much more productive.”
“When you've got good equipment and good extractors, it really helps just make the shop work well…and just creates a better product as well.”
3M for worker safety
Through innovative dust extraction units and accessories, 3M is helping to minimize harmful dust particles in the air. “When you've got good equipment and good extractors, it really helps just make the shop work well…and just creates a better product as well.” And having these technologies in his shop gives him peace of mind, so he can stay dedicated to his craft. “It's just the life that we kind of get out of the wood kind of fills us with energy and joy as well.”
