MacGyvering #2: clearing the air

Very nice! I suppose that is really all the fancy overhead units are doing anyway. Thanks!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Great idea Scott. I was actually looking at some of the old posts on this topic on the site tonight. This sure is a simple approach.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Simple, and fairly cheap…

not as cheap as the time I used half a wine cork to repair the fan in our freezer. The tech who came out to replace the motor – still under warranty – broke the fan shaft and it was LOUD. We would have had to suffer with it while we waited for a re-ordered part… Ironically, my fix was quieter than the replacement part, and worked just as well.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

I like that one Scott…i’m going to do it as well until I can get something better…which probably means I’ll have it for a couple years….:)

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Good going Scott.
It looks like it does the trick for you.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

At least you were there when the flames started and you caught it before a big fire started.

-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"

Greay idea Scott. Thanks to MacGuyver also.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Great idea Scott. It looks like you did not buy the cheapest filter, which is probably a good idea. This will pick up much more dust. Since you did not trip the smoke alarm, you can tell it is working.

Better keep a supply of filters on hand.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

Scott, did you use any of the filter coating sprays that assist in trapping dust?

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

I was thinking of doing the same thing myself. I was going to hang 2-4 of them around the shop. I really need to keep the air moving in there or it gets way to hot in the summer. Might as well clean the air while I’m at it.

-- Greg - Charles Town, WV

love it, i have been over thinking the same idea for a while and this is so simple thanks!!!

-- Great things begin in chaos

Yep, this isn’t the cheapest filter – there was a 3 fer pack at the same price point. There was also one or two that cost more (2-3 times the cost of the fan!).

Filter coating sprays? I know not of such a thing. Would those be found nearby?

The fire started just as I was putting the plugs together. Had it not startled me I wouldn’t have dropped it on the dusty floor and could have pulled it out immed. Although it seemed to take a long time, It probably only took me a second to bend down and get them apart.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

I was in Lowe’s this weekend checking on some other items, and saw they had a few box fans in. The 20” fan was only $13.87. Add in a few bucks for a filter, and for $20 you can have yourself an air cleaner for your shop. I may stop by and pick one up, along with a filter.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

Wow all these comments, you sure must have a lot of fans!!!! Great idea thanks for the tip.

-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX

If I remember correctly the spray was with the filters.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

I’ve seen this simple air cleaner written up several times.

I picked a box fan up off the curb on trash day some time ago for this very purpose (it works!). But I haven’t gotten around to picking up a filter and building the frame to hold it.

Thanks for the prompt!

-- Paul, Texas

This setup was reviewed in one of the woodorking magazines. It was shown to do a very good job of removing dust from the shop…

-- Jack

I’ve been using this method for years. I find the filter cuts the airflow from the fan by about half, so it’s cooling effects are reduced. It does a great job when put next to a project during sanding, drawing all that fine dust into the filter and not letting get all over my shop.

-- Jesus is Lord!

Any more projects in the works for this series?

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

any more… surely so… Did I tell you about the time I “MacGuyvered” the fan in the freezer? – the one the repairman broke?

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

So simple. What a great idea. Already got me thinking of how I’m gonna modify mine and also circulate the air to cool the shop.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!