Visible dust settles. The dangerous fraction stays airborne for hours
What matters
Particles under about ten microns, which are invisible and stay airborne for hours. A shop vacuum without a fine filter simply redistributes them.
Extraction at source
Far more effective than air filtration. Capturing dust at the tool removes it before it disperses; filtering afterwards is chasing it.
Masks
A dust mask is not a respirator. For fine wood dust, a properly fitted P3 respirator, and a beard makes any of them substantially less effective.
