Air filtration

[John Reeves]

I just put this up in my shop. A few comments.

1) Some idiot put it where It is a bit difficult to change the filters.
2) It works! as noted by the dust from one afternoon of sanding with a dust hookup on the ROS.
3) Glad that Dust is not in my lungs.

 

[chris99z71]

OK, John, we need some more pictures of this beast! You just hope the dust wanders into the filter or is there some mechanical means of moving the air? :rolf:
It's hard to tell from the picture. I've considered something similar, made from furnace filters and an old furnace blower unit.
Thanks for sharing! :icon_thum

 

[John Reeves]

More pics in Photo Gallery.

 

[chris99z71]

Sweet setup! :icon_thum

Mind if I ask where you got the blower?

 

[John Reeves]

Chris, That is all I did. I took the old blower out of my furnace when it was replaced due to a cracked heat exchanger and built a box around it. I am using 16x20" filters. The blower moves a lot of air through this. I was also able to make it with a high and low speed using the low and medium speeds on the fan. The high for the fan caused a lot of turbulence in the system so I am actually getting better air flow at a slower speed.

 

[chris99z71]

Very cool. I was thinking of doing something similar, but using the space between two of my exposed floor joists overhead as the "box" with a series of 16-18" furnace filters. I imagine that using multiple filters will lessen the pressure drop and lengthen the time needed between cleanings/changings.
Now all I need is a blower... :eusa_thin

 

[John Reeves]

See if a local HVAC contractor will let you scavenge one from their junk out back.

Mine cost me about $4,000 including a new furnace.:lol:

 

[chris99z71]

Cheap at twice the price! :rolf:

I see that conversation going something like this:

Me: "Honey, we need a new furnace so I can have the blower out of the old one."

Her: :slap:

 

[McRabbet]

John,

Just remember that any dust this air filter catches is in the same air that you breathe! So if you are generating dust by sanding or whatever, you should still wear a dust mask or respirator to protect your lungs. It will do a good job to lessen the amount of fine dust that gets around your shop and settles on everything -- recommend you put it on a timer and run it for a hour or so when you finish work in the shop to "cleanse" the air. Bottom line: the best strategy for dust in the shop is to capture it at the source.

BTW, I have a very similar furnace blower that I took out of our inside air handler last year when it was replaced and have it mounted in a comparable way. Rob

 

[Travis Porter]

Nice. I built one myself a few years back. Makes a lot of difference.

 

[John Reeves]

Rob,

I did use a dust mask as I USUALLY do. BUT after seeing all of the dust on the filter, the use of a mask has really been reinforced.

Thanks for the woords. We all need to hear them from time to time.

John

 

[junquecol]

Most of the air cleaners I have seen have filters on the inlet side. This prevents the motor from becoming clogged with dust. I use mine to circulate hot air from gas heater. Air filter is almost over heater. Two birds with one stone.

 

[John Reeves]

Bruce,

I put one on the outlet side just in case the inlet side leaked and unfiltered air was being pulled in. Moving the heated air with the air handler is a good idea.

BTW, after seeing how much dust that was trapped, I purchased a one micron filter and put it in the second slot. I will also buy a respirator and a HEPA filter for the shop vac today.

John

 

[Jim Murphy]

John,

-- recommend you put it on a timer and run it for a hour or so when you finish work in the shop to "cleanse" the air.

Or, go to the BORG and get a motion sensitive switch, about $18, wire it, and set the cutoff timer to MAX. When you walk in, it cuts on, as you move around it stays on, and when you leave, it runs 30 minutes and shuts off.

 

[John Reeves]

Jim,

Nice idea.

Thanks

 

[junquecol]

Grainger among others sells the "bag" filters. My air filter is 12X24. On the inlet, I have a pleated filter and a bag filter. Pleated filter gets regular replacement, and bag filter will get vacumming when needed. I have had it in place for several years. Bag filters are usually sold in pairs though.

 

[Mark Fogleman]

I am very pleased with my CleanStream HEPA cartridge on my shop vac. It's made by the Gore Co. (Goretex) and gets rinsed off with the hose when I empty the cannister. Lowes has them for ~$30.

 

[John Reeves]

Does Grainger make a product that I should consider for my ambient air filter? Does Grainger have a web site?

 

[cskipper]

We put furnace filter on the front of a box fan - running under Rob's theory -- any air filter is better than none. We have a vac system for the shop - but not an air filter.

 

[chris99z71]

Does Grainger make a product that I should consider for my ambient air filter? Does Grainger have a web site?

Grainger Industrial Supply
Search for "hepa filter".