Wet Dust Collectors for Combustible Metal Dust — AT Industrial Products
Grinding, sanding or polishing aluminum, titanium or magnesium creates combustible metal dust — and collecting it dry is an explosion risk. A wet dust collector solves it with water. Northern Machinery Sales in Sutton, MA is now a distributor for AT Industrial Products (Carson, CA, building wet collectors in the USA since 1997): wet dust collectors from 800 to 15,000 CFM, wet downdraft tables, and sludge filtration for metal-finishing shops across Massachusetts and New England.
How a wet dust collector works
Source-captured air is pulled through the collector, where the fan agitates the water inside and forces the dust/water mixture through internal baffles. The dust stays submerged and settles into the sump (a stainless sludge rake is included), while the water suppresses spark ignition and extinguishes stray sparks at the source. Automatic water-level control holds the level, and AT’s NFPA/OSHA-compliant electrical package can start the collector with your process machine and shut everything down if the water level runs too high or too low.
AT Industrial wet dust collectors — 800 to 15,000 CFM
Every C Series collector shares the same build: 304 stainless steel cabinet with 100% welded seams, automatic water-level control, stainless sludge rake included, precision-balanced direct-drive impeller, TEFC motor (208-230/460V 3-phase), foam sound panels on all four hood walls, and an available NFPA/OSHA electrical package. The model number is the CFM rating.
C3-800 — 800 CFM
The compact end of the range — sized for a single grinding, sanding or polishing station.
C3-1200 — 1,200 CFM
One station with headroom, or a single larger hood.
C5-1800 — 1,800 CFM
A single production machine or a small two-station cell.
C5-2500 — 2,500 CFM
The mid-size workhorse — a busy single line or several stations at once.
C7-3000 — 3,000 CFM
Multi-station finishing: several grinders and sanders on one collector.
C15-5000 — 5,000 CFM
Department-level collection for a full finishing area.
C20-8000 — 8,000 CFM
Full finishing lines and heavy multi-shift work.
C40-15000 — 15,000 CFM
The largest in the line — central collection for big lines and plants.
- Wet downdraft tables + custom & economy downdraft tables: modular tables that bolt together into work cells, fiberglass grates (40% open) to reduce part scratching, 300 lb capacity, sit-down or stand-up, plumbed to wet or dry collectors.
Details & quote → - Grit, Dust & Smoke Collector: AT’s dry collector line.
Details & quote → - Sludge Vacuum Filtration System: pumps water, swarf and sludge from the sump, filters it and returns the water; explosion-proof motor available.
Details & quote →
Which size fits your shop?
One grinding or sanding station → C3 class (800–1,200 CFM).
One production machine or two stations → C5 class (1,800–2,500 CFM).
Three to five stations → C7-3000 to C15-5000.
A full finishing line or department → C20-8000 or C40-15000.
Duct runs and hoods change the math — send us your setup (machines, stations, duct lengths) and we’ll size it properly. That’s the same information AT’s own application form asks for.
Why shops choose AT Industrial
- No filters to buy, no consumables — water does the work, so operating cost stays flat.
- Tested before it ships — every machine is run at the factory to verify CFM; AT states its collectors “don’t weep, seep, or leak.”
- Quiet for their size — foam sound-suppression panels line all four inner walls of the hood.
- Built for the long haul — stainless cabinet, stainless precision-balanced impeller, TEFC motor (208-230/460V 3-phase; 575V available).
Who needs a wet dust collector in New England?
Any shop grinding, sanding, polishing, buffing or sawing aluminum, titanium, magnesium, zirconium or similar combustible metals — metal finishing shops, aerospace and automotive suppliers, machine shops, military/navy suppliers across MA, RI, CT, NH, VT and ME. If your collector is dry and your parts are aluminum, we should talk before your insurer — or an incident — starts the conversation. Northern delivers, sets up and services what it sells from Sutton, MA, backed by our machinery repair team.
Frequently asked questions
What is a wet dust collector?
A dust collector that captures dust in water instead of filters. Dust-laden air is drawn through agitated water and baffles; the dust stays submerged in the sump and sparks are extinguished at the source, which is what makes it the safe choice for combustible metal dust.
Why can’t I use a regular dry collector on aluminum dust?
Fine aluminum (and titanium or magnesium) dust is combustible — collected dry, a single spark can ignite it. Wet collection keeps the dust submerged in water, removing the ignition risk at the collector. AT Industrial’s packages are built to NFPA/OSHA requirements for this work.
What size wet dust collector do I need?
AT Industrial’s C Series runs 800 to 15,000 CFM — from one grinding station to a full finishing line. Sizing depends on your machines, hoods and duct runs; call us with your setup and we’ll size it.
Do wet collectors need replacement filters?
No. AT Industrial wet collectors have no filters and no consumables — the water and sump do the work; you rake out settled sludge.
What metals can a wet collector handle?
Aluminum, magnesium, titanium, tantalum, zirconium, niobium, zinc and similar combustible metals, from grinding, sanding, polishing, buffing, machining and sawing operations.
Do you deliver and service in New England?
Yes — Northern Machinery Sales sells, delivers, sets up and services AT Industrial collectors from Sutton, MA, across Massachusetts and New England.
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Contact
Sizing questions: aclark@northernmachinerysales.net
Shop: 508-581-9922 (ext. 101, 102 or 103) · Call or text: 508-365-8395
Northern Machinery Sales Inc., 12 John Road, Unit F, Sutton, MA 01590