Can you run a CNC without dust collection?
Our position, and the 'just for a quick cut' counterpoint.
Our position
A CNC running wood cuts without dust collection produces a visible haze in the room within minutes. That haze is not harmless - it is sub-micron wood particulate, which is a respiratory and fire hazard. Dust collection is not an accessory, it is part of the machine. If the budget does not include it, the budget does not include a CNC.
Other voices
Reputable sources worth reading before you decide. Labels reflect our honest read of each source's general stance, not direct quotes.
NIOSH wood dust health data
Broadly agreesNIOSH documents wood dust as a respiratory hazard and a recognized carcinogen in prolonged exposure. The hazard is well-established.
Cabinet-shop fire safety standards
Broadly agreesWood dust is a known fire and explosion hazard in commercial shops. The classroom scale is smaller but the chemistry is the same.
No legitimate disagreement
Pushes backNobody responsible argues wood-cut CNC without extraction is safe. Not a debate.