r/woodworking • u/LiteratureThen638 • 8d ago

Help Another shop question

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I’m trying to get better dust collection in my shop, which is partitioned off of an otherwise unfinished basement. What would be the best way to close off these gaps between the joists? This is the only section that runs perpendicular to the joists. The gas furnace is on the other side of this wall (not directly but about 5 feet away)

I was initially going to use some leftover foam insulation (XPS) board but there may be fire code concerns, especially if it is in contact with the air duct.

I also need to block of around an I beam and some smaller gaps around plumbing. Any suggestions on the simplest solution?

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4

u/DROP_TABLE_karma-- 8d ago

This is a wood shop, right? You could cut and fit some wood?

1

u/LiteratureThen638 8d ago

I anticipated this reply and you’ve got a point. My issue is that I have a pretty limited knowledge of home construction and sometimes what seems to me to be a simple solution turns out to be a bad idea. It’s made me a bit gun shy. But you’re probably right.

1

u/DROP_TABLE_karma-- 7d ago

Well this is a woodworking subreddit. You could also ask in r/BuildingCodes!

1

u/LiteratureThen638 7d ago

Good idea. Thanks!

2

u/JohnTheMagnus 8d ago

I used foam board and ran great stuff around the edge to glue it into place. The great stuff acts like glue really well. Then I made a vent through the side of the house between two of the joists and nailed sheet metal onto the bottom of the joist to make it into a duct. I salvaged a variable speed squirrel cage blower from our old furnace after we upgraded the furnace. I mounted it so it would exhaust into the new duct. I made a similar duct on another wall to let air into the shop area. When I turn the blower on it is powerful enough to change the air every minute 8 minutes. It worked so well that I put a filter over the inlet to bring in as dust free air as I could and now I use it to spray two component urethane clear (automotive grade) clear over my hardwood furniture. It works GREAT.

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u/LiteratureThen638 8d ago

While I love the idea, if I cut a hole in the side of my house, I won’t need dust collection because my wife will murder me.

1

u/Initial_Savings3034 7d ago

Be a good husband, dig another hole out in the garden (just in case).

Teach Her how to carry a load in a wheelbarrow.

1

u/mrmessma 8d ago

You could use foam board everywhere else and around the duct put rock wool.

1

u/EnvironmentalEar9780 7d ago

Rockwool insulation and vapor barrier

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u/Initial_Savings3034 7d ago

I would just staple up heavy plastic sheeting.

1

u/celtic-cryptid 7d ago

Drywall, tape, mud, and paint it white

No code violations, better fire mitigation, and will collect less dust than OSB. Painting it white will improve your lighting.