clean air

Anything that filters air is always good. You will need a finer filter for the fine wood dust that is not normally a consideration of an air conditioner.

-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com

Rick, Welcome from a nu bee too.
This site is fun, you’ll like it.

I had to check your location to see what your weather is like before commenting.

I had a salvaged window AC unit in my shop garage window but I seldom used it because it took so long to cool and it seemed like a waste of energy. I thought the same thing, use it as a dust remover and exhaust/ intake fan.

But if you work in your shop in the winter time, you can’t use it because it will suck the heat out, if you have any.
Plus, it takes up space for natural light, it leaks air around the sides, I had to remove the storm screen and the rain splashed around it and damaged the window sill, and ants found a home under it.
Not to mention it’s a big ugly box sticking out the window.

So, my suggestion is, use the AC unit for AC only or remove it and put in a 15.00 box fan you can easily remove or flip it around, and be able to shut the window and LOCK it.

They make a low profile, double fan that’s made for a double hung window that seals well and can be switched to intake or exhaust. I use this one on my remodeling projects.

If your garage wood shop is used on a regular bases you have to get the JET ceiling air filter. It’s approx. 2’x3’x16”
It has a great filter, 3 speeds and a timer so it can keep running for 30 min. after you leave. Works great.

I have a thermostatic roof vent for hot days that works good too. Any dust gets washed away by the rain instead of all over my plants around the window. I also have a 80k BTU house furnace with a custom washable filter system on the side.

And the last suggestion, open the garage door and grab the leaf blower. That really works.
Have fun.

-- mark

I think that sounds like a great idea. I assume you are not going to leave it in the window, but instead hang it from the cieling like a regular air celaner? You can make a wood frame on the outside to hold pre and post filters, and it may work very well. My only question is how much air does it move? I have several of those window air conditioners and might try it if you have some success.

-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes Wednesdays at: http://www.stumpynubs.com

I have a window air conditioner/heater in my shop and it has a feature that lets me either use outside air or recirculate the inside air for those days when you do not want to loose either warm or cols air in the shop. I use a fine pleated filter on it and it cleans the air in addition to my dust collector and jet air filter that hangs at the other end of the shop.

When I do not need the cool air or the heat I just use it on the fan mode. I guess this gives me the best of both worlds. It is sealed good and has no air leaks. I also have a 220V timer on it so the unit can come on an hour or so before I open the shop to make it comfortable.

-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com

Oh, I thought you were going to leave it in the window.

Is it possible to rip out the guts and have the motor speed control still work?
You would have to rig a homemade switch and maybe end up with one speed.

The customized filter would be the key part. If it isn’t way above your average furnace filter, you may end up with a dust maker instead of air cleaner. Then you might as well go back to the fan in the window.

What if you made the air unit out of 1/2” ac plywood and designed it around a Jet ceiling cleaner filter size, using your blower from the AC unit? That might work.

Interested in what you come up with.

-- mark

There’s no reason to buy the Jet filters when you can get cheaper and larger Hepa filters at any home center. Use a regular furnace filter for a pre-filter and then the ultra fine hepa filter right after it.

-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes Wednesdays at: http://www.stumpynubs.com

Jim, what ever works sounds good to me. All good ideas.
I thought of the jet filter because of the long tubes that create more surface space and it’s designed for saw dust. I didn’t check but I’ll bet the filters are pretty close in price. But they are not the same.

I forget sometimes how long it took me to finally justify shelling out 300.00 for the Jet box with the filter.
But once I did, I wish I had gotten it sooner.

It’s quiet, 3 speeds, delay timer, the best filtration possible for that size, and has a remote.

How much is it going to cost to make a filter box with a homemade, 1 speed switch you can’t reach if it’s in on the ceiling? 100.00?

200 more and you got the real thing. No regrets.

-- mark

What the hell, it’s worth a try.
And welcome aboard Lumberjocks.

-- Eric

reedwood- Some people just like to use their imagination and skills to make something themselves rather than buy it. Gives them pride. But there’s nothing wrong with buying it either.

-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes Wednesdays at: http://www.stumpynubs.com

Jim, me too. No argument from me. Am I sounding too negative here? I surely don’t want that.

I enjoy discussing stuff like this. So help me out. Lets figure out the switch, what is a good filter? how much is it going to cost?
Rick, have you come up with anything? or do you want us to go away…..ha.

I’ve built 2 portable ones already for job sites. One of them was for inside but the guys bitched about using it because it was heavy, noisy, clogged up too fast, and had to be moved too much.
This was 10 yrs ago before they were available.

The other one attached to the window for major demos and would suck the paint of the wall.
I spent allot of time researching ideas including scaled drawings and I asked my electrician to help with the switch. We ended up using a simple outlet box and standard switch and plugged it in to a remote controlled outlet adaptor.

But in my shop….
After using fans, filters, vacuums, AC units and even leaf blowers for the last 10 yrs. I finally have a Jet in my shop.
I guess I just wanted Rick to walk in his shop, look up and see one of the best tools I’ve ever bought.

But sure, lets build one for now and save up for a new one later. I’m game.
where do you live? I’ll bring the beer.

-- mark