How to clean up Styrofoam bits? Vacuum Technology Anyone?

[Industrial Toys]

So the poor little raccoons made a terrible mess in my barn. I had saved a bunch of 4x8 sheets of white styrofoam which is now spread in bits all over the barn. That and raccoon poop. Lots of it.

I wanted to park some industrial vacuum outside and just take the hose into the barn. Looking at all kinds of Industrial vacs, even cheap, Diesel powered mobile units, or a used self serve car wash style machine.

BUT, I assume the styrofoam is not going to settle in some cannister or 45 gallon drum style vac. I want it right in a disposable bag. Is there such a thing? That stuff is so light and worse, magnetic! Thought maybe a dust collection system, like for woodworking.

Any thoughts?

 

[DIYOrangeDave]

I have heard of success creating a pre-canister (5 gallon bucket and 2 - 2” 90 degree elbows) using cyclonic motion to leave the debris in the pre-canister and sucks the dust and finer particles through. Dump the pre-canister. YouTube has lots of plans and ideas.

 

[MossRoad]

Shop vac with a swimming pool vacuum hose. That's what I use for sanding jobs inside the house. The vac stays outside, the hose comes in through the nearest window or door.

 

[/pine]

FWIW...spraying with anti-static compound (available in spray cans at box stores/ wall mart etc) may help...

 

[Industrial Toys]

It's unfortunately spread too far and wide to treat them. Do they still make cloth feed bags? I have a big electric blower, I might be able to use for the styroafoam. Just tye rap the bag onto the outlet and put a piece of flex tubing on the inlet. The foam shouldn't hurt the impeller. The poop may (unfortuately) require a different technology.

I have a prettty good stainless shop vac, but I suspect that the bits will plug up the filter and not setttle in the canister. And, I would require WAY too many bags for several sheets of foam.

 

[bigtiller]

Just a thought here, I don't know it it would work...

Blow it outside on a rainy day with a leaf blower. Possibly, the rain will knock the magnetic problem out of it.??
If it does, then pick it up with the grass catcher on the mower.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I'm kind of **** about the slightest piece of FOD (Foreign Objects or Debris) here on the place. I'm thinking, I had better deal with it, still contained to the barn. Maybe some pictures will convey the true horror of the situation.

 

[Jim Nelson]

I have an EGO cordless blower with an extra low setting that I use for the garage and my shop, sheds,etc that would do the job if you had a big box or such to blow it in to.A regular leaf blower would just make the mess worse I think.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Maybe that's the ticket. A BIG cardboard box with an exhaust port/screen. Then burn the box.

Got me to thinking. Use my shop vac head on a cardboard box in place of the cannister. Maybe with the aid of a piece of plywood. For, I can see the joy of trying to remove styrofoam from the metal canister.

 

[JK22]

Dust collection bag on a shop vac should work. https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...acuums-except-HD06001-2-Pack-VF3503/202066801

 

[Aquamoose]

A short brainstorm got me an idea you could try... if you have a large air compressor, you could buy an air powered vacuum as seen here. Swap the bag with an old pillowcase, vacuum it up, and toss the pillowcase complete!

 

[mikester]

So the poor little raccoons made a terrible mess in my barn. I had saved a bunch of 4x8 sheets of white styrofoam which is now spread in bits all over the barn. That and raccoon poop. Lots of it.

I wanted to park some industrial vacuum outside and just take the hose into the barn. Looking at all kinds of Industrial vacs, even cheap, Diesel powered mobile units, or a used self serve car wash style machine.

BUT, I assume the styrofoam is not going to settle in some cannister or 45 gallon drum style vac. I want it right in a disposable bag. Is there such a thing? That stuff is so light and worse, magnetic! Thought maybe a dust collection system, like for woodworking.

Any thoughts?

You want something like these
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-150...Collection-Bag-and-Mobile-Base-3403/303624402

Handles styrofoam bits nicely, just throw the bag away after.

I have a JET DC and I can use a 4” big-O as my vacuum hose.

 

[PILOON]

Don't laugh, but when my shop has accumulated more dust than I can tolerate I open the door and use my leaf blower.
Works just fine but close all the house windows or your wife will give U he11.

My shop is also equipped with a powerful 20 inch fan that exits most of the airborne blown dust that my blower raises.

Another time when I was building this house I had gyprock dust everywhere.
Had a vacuum that I used without any bag or container.
I left it outside, downwind, and simply blew the sanding dust into yonder.
LOL, was winter so the sanding dust blended in.

 

[gsganzer]

I believe they sell bags for lining a standard shop vac. They also make prefilters and different filter grades.