I'm going to be doing most of my woodworking in a basement this summer,
which only has one small window. I have a ridgid vac with fine-dust
filter to attach to my router table etc, and a facemask filter, but I
know there will still be plenty of dust in the air. Short of buying a
professional room air cleaner, are there any good ways to filter
airborn dust without spending a lot of money? I'm planning on taping a
nice pleated-paper allergen-trapping furnace filter over the back of a
box fan - has anyone tried this? Advice?
Thanks,
Andy
Given your resources the key for your safety is a NIOSH-95 rated dust
mask that fits well and is worn whenever you're in the shop. What is
the particulate efficiency of the vac filter? You'll want a HEPA rated
filter for maximum safety.
If you use the filter-and-fan, use a good quality filter like the 3M
Filtrete 'Ultra Allergen' filter. This captures about 60% of the 0.2
to 2.0 micron particle size on the first pass, so it actually helps to
improve the air -- marginally. And if you put that fan in the window
to exhaust outdoors, make sure you make up the air from another open
window so you don't end up with your combustion appliances
'backdrafting' into your house.
It is possible to make a shop-built air cleaner with 1/2 sheet of
plywood, a couple furnace filters, and a discarded HVAC blower fan and
motor. The fan/motor can usually be had for a case of beer from the
local HVAC company. Again, the key to this unit's effectiveness is all
in the filters you supply it with.
You will find an excellent online resource on dust collection at this
site
http://dgroups.woodmagazine.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=&folderType=&webtag=airfiltration
My vac filter is HEPA (99+% to 0.3 microns) and the filters I bought to
put on the fan are the 3M Filtrete allergen type. I was thinking of
maybe putting the fan with filter somewhere in the middle of the room
(pointing away from me to avoid blowing other dust into my face) and a
different fan pointing out the window? There is a door up the stairs
that would allow some cross-ventilation and should prevent negative
pressure/backdrafting.
If I use the filter/box fan idea, would there be an advantage to
building the fan into a plywood box with the filter on the intake end,
as opposed to simply taping the filter to the fan? Is the HVAC blower
fan better just because it's a stronger fan?
My vac filter is HEPA (99+% to 0.3 microns) and the filters I bought to
put on the fan are the 3M Filtrete allergen type. I was thinking of
maybe putting the fan with filter somewhere in the middle of the room
(pointing away from me to avoid blowing other dust into my face) and a
different fan pointing out the window? There is a door up the stairs
that would allow some cross-ventilation and should prevent negative
pressure/backdrafting.
If I use the filter/box fan idea, would there be an advantage to
building the fan into a plywood box with the filter on the intake end,
as opposed to simply taping the filter to the fan? Is the HVAC blower
fan better just because it's a stronger fan?
Andy wrote:
> If I use the filter/box fan idea, would there be an advantage to
> building the fan into a plywood box with the filter on the intake
end,
> as opposed to simply taping the filter to the fan?
No real advantage. Just tape a cheap filter ahead of the
high-effeciency filter, so you don't have to change it so often.
Is the HVAC blower
> fan better just because it's a stronger fan?
Yes, it moves a greater volume of air. But do experiment with your box
fan, you may find it is satisfactory.
steve
Andy wrote:
>
> I'm going to be doing most of my woodworking in a basement this summer,
> which only has one small window. I have a ridgid vac with fine-dust
> filter to attach to my router table etc, and a facemask filter, but I
> know there will still be plenty of dust in the air. Short of buying a
> professional room air cleaner, are there any good ways to filter
> airborn dust without spending a lot of money? I'm planning on taping a
> nice pleated-paper allergen-trapping furnace filter over the back of a
> box fan - has anyone tried this? Advice?
> Thanks,
> Andy
Most power tools don't generate that much fine dust
that stays in the air for hours. Sanders are one of
the exceptions. So why not make a downdraft/air
cleanr unit that can also be an outfeed table for the
table saw when needed. Furnace "blowers" can be
had for a song and used pleated truck air filter cartridges
or spa/pool cartridges will catch the really fine
stuff before they get to your lungs.
Here's one that you can make that works - if you use
it.
http://home.comcast.net/~charliebcz/CBAirCleaner.html
charlie b
Plumber saved a 2 speed cage/motor from heater pulled out of home,
gratis. I'll save my beer thank you.
On 17 May 2005 09:58:02 -0700, "Mr Fixit eh" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
>It is possible to make a shop-built air cleaner with 1/2 sheet of
>plywood, a couple furnace filters, and a discarded HVAC blower fan and
>motor. The fan/motor can usually be had for a case of beer from the
>local HVAC company. Again, the key to this unit's effectiveness is all
>in the filters you supply it with.
On 17 May 2005 09:39:05 -0700, "Andy" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I'm going to be doing most of my woodworking in a basement this summer,
>which only has one small window. I have a ridgid vac with fine-dust
>filter to attach to my router table etc, and a facemask filter, but I
>know there will still be plenty of dust in the air. Short of buying a
>professional room air cleaner, are there any good ways to filter
>airborn dust without spending a lot of money? I'm planning on taping a
>nice pleated-paper allergen-trapping furnace filter over the back of a
>box fan - has anyone tried this? Advice?
>Thanks,
>Andy
I built one last Saturday from a single speed furnace blower, some
left over lumber, some leftover paneling, silicon caulking, and (3) 20
x 20 x 1 pleated 3M allergen filters.
Works well except my blower is too strong, Blows tools off my peg
board. It does clear my shop air in about 1 min though (12' x 16')
On 17 May 2005 09:39:05 -0700, "Andy" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I'm going to be doing most of my woodworking in a basement this summer,
>which only has one small window. I have a ridgid vac with fine-dust
>filter to attach to my router table etc, and a facemask filter, but I
>know there will still be plenty of dust in the air. Short of buying a
>professional room air cleaner, are there any good ways to filter
>airborn dust without spending a lot of money? I'm planning on taping a
>nice pleated-paper allergen-trapping furnace filter over the back of a
>box fan - has anyone tried this? Advice?
>Thanks,
>Andy
The box fan with a furnace filter works well. I recommend a regular
furnace filter (the cheap kind) and replace them often. A clogged
filter does no good and will tax the fan motor. A couple light-weight
bungee cords will secure the filter in place.