So this is my first winter in my new shop. In my old shop I never had much trouble with static electricity, just the occasional bit here and there. In my new place however I'm finding I get a lot of build-up in certain places and trying to figure out how to deal with it. The 2 biggest culprits seem to be the jointer and dust collector and I think the problem could be linked.
When I do a fair amount of jointing I start getting frequent zaps through the jointer in-feed table. I tired running a separate ground from the table to the receptacle box, but no help.
I believe the problem could be created by my dust bags. Due to the layout of the shop they are in the only place I could really fit them easily, (the size of the plenum and bags is roughly 30"D x 10'L x 11' H or so). But they are up against a roll-up door which leads to the neighboring shop. I think the aluminum door being so close to the bags, (4-5" or so), must be creating the build-up? But I have no idea short of re-arranging the entire shop how to fix it? I tried running a ground wire from the door the the nearest electrical box but no help. The jointer in-feed table is right next to the last bag and door so could be somehow picking up the static and transferring it? Or maybe they are 2 completely separate problems? Either way I'm curious if any of you have had to deal with excessive static electricity and how you dealt with it? Or any ideas for reducing the build-up between bags and door?
thanks,
JeffD