I’ve been woodworking for about a year, and as I do, read, and learn more about setting up a shop, I’ve gotten serious about dust collection safety. I started with the shop vac for basic dust collection, then moved up to to a Rockler 3/4 HP wall mount DC, and changed the 40 micron bag out to a 5 micron bag. I’ve now come to realize that I’m just blowing the most harmful dust around in my shop (1 to 5 micron), so I’ve gone the route of ordering the classic Harbor Freight 2HP DC and a Wynn 35A cannister filter.
That’s all good, but I also want to do air filtration. My shop is a typical 22×22 garage, ~ 500 sq ft. While I like the specs and price of this Jet AFS-400 Benchtop Air Filtration System (~$225), I’ve wondering what I can do with my relatively new Rockler 3/4 HP DC. I have plenty of 1/2 ply around, and was thinking of DiY-ing an air filtration box, with the blower from the Rockler as the engine. I imagine a 12” x 24” x 3’ long box, with a few good filters on the front and back, with the blower in the middle, with the intake and output sides sealed from each other.
Questions:
- is the 3/4 HP 12 amp 650CFM Rockler motor going to be too powerful? - will it be too loud? - shoud I just suck it up (pardon the pun) and buy the Jet?
1500 CFM sounds like a monster, although I’ll gladly take in the Wood Mag article. The Jet is described as “Three speeds 260, 362, and 409 CFM” and “this little powerhouse cleans and circulates air in a 20’ x 20’ x 8’ shop, 7 cycles per hour”... so, I din’t know. I may have to build my concept and see if its lame or not.
It should work, however I couldn’t say how often it will cycle in an hour. By enclosing it in the box it should muffle the sound quite a bit. I remember the article Gary mentions a little bit, and recall the part about creating a duct work to move the clean air further from the filter. This will allow you to position the filter closer to the dust producing machines without the clean air returning next to the unit and creating a dust turbulence.
-- I don't make mistakes, I have great learning lessons, Greg
The HF 2HP DC is still on back order, so I won’t be able to try it for a week or so. For now, I have a plywood frame to hold a box fan and two furnace filters (one a high quality filter). Better than nothing.
I would use 3 filters. Put 2 filters on the intake side about a 1”-2” apart to help better filter the air going into the box and one on the outtake side.
-- I don't make mistakes, I have great learning lessons, Greg
Well, I finally decided, I’m not going to DiY an air cleaner. After getting my HF 2HP DV and Wynn filter set up (and LOVING it), I investigated my plan to use the Rockler 3/4HP for an air cleaner. It is 12amps, really loud, and putting it all together would be a project for which I’d rather use the time on elsewhere, like finally building something on my project list.
So, instead, I bought a Jet air cleaner, http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5489&rrt=1, from Amazon for $300. It has a remote, a timer, and it just works. I’m all for doing it myself, but my time is not unlimited, and instead of fighting this one, I’m going to let it go.
Woodworking Skill Share Your woodworking skills are displayed for several lifetimes in each project. Have you had to compromise your project...
8798
Woodturning On the lathe, by the lathe: do you have questions? frustrations? tips? This forum is for all the woodturners out there.
224
Woodcarving Relief, 3D, chip-carving, whittling; carving knives, chisels, pocket-knives, power tools. If you are a carver or want...
28
Scrollsawing Intarsia, fretwork, intricate design cutting and more! This forum is for scrollsawers: share your tips, ask questions...
61
Joinery Have a question? a tip/strategy to share? a challenge, perhaps? Share your "joinery" discussion here.
82
Finishing The finish, whether paint, wax, stain, or something else, can make or break a project. What are your tips and questio...
1537
Designing Woodworking Projects Looking for information on designing your projects? Having difficulties reading project plans? Looking for help with ...
3554
Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories Are you unsure of which tools, or hardware, you need, or which brands to buy? Investing in tools and hardware can be ...
15806
Hand Tools Wood, your hand tools, you and a little know-how. Share your questions, tips and strategies for the use and maintenan...
2039
Jigs & Fixtures Using a jig is like having a couple extra hands helping out. Show us your jigs, share your tips, strategies and, of c...
496
Wood & Lumber Different wood requires different woodworking strategies - from cutting to finishing. Share your tips and challenges ...
2846
Safety in the Woodworking Shop Before you pick up those woodworking tools, take the time to ensure your safety in the shop! Eyes, ears, fingers, and...
810
Focus on the Workspace Are you looking for or do you have tips to share regarding the workshop? Storage, equipment placement, efficiency, an...
903
Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking If you are selling your work, then you have entered a woodworking dimension with added complexity and stress. If you...
766
Woodworking Trade & Swap All of us are holding onto treasure in our shops, that we either don't need, don't want, or could part with if presen...
2741
LumberJocks.com Site Feedback Connect with the Website Gurus and tell us what you are thinking, suggestions, problems, functionality issues, and so...
1547
Coffee Lounge Need a break from all the standing and wood dust? Chat with your Forum Friends about their projects, their life, thei...
6165
DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.
