DeWALT DWXAF101 Workshop Air filter 0.3um

Thedog · 2025-02-23T11:33:51+0000

Hi everyone,

I am interested in buying a wood workshop air filter unit.
There seems to be many types & brands readily available int he UK.

However, it seems the particle size spec of the filter is normally around 0.5 or 1 um.
After lots of reading about how particles are actually captured, it would seem that the magic number is 0.3um.
Once particles get below 0.3um they behave differently due to their low mass so most units that state 0.3um will also capture lower than this.
Anything higher than 0.3 seems easier to capture (likes large marbles falling falling through a small net - whereas <0.3 does not work like this)

I found that the two stage HEPA offering of the DeWALT DWXAF101 has a spec 0f 0.3um.

But I cannot find any reference to it on the Dewalt UK website and certainly can't find any UK suppliers offering a 230 V version (or a 110V either).

So, where can I buy one from?
Or is what other brand offers a 0.3um Spec?

Thanks

Thedog · 2025-02-23T11:48:12+0000

Seems to be available in the US from Amazom.com

https://www.amazon.com/DWXAF101-Filtration-Collectors-Woodworking-Controlled/dp/B0BGBM3QFX/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1TYOCFRYYAFCM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.28sJgIFj6WTMvR9jehUQL1m9jmPwjHu8nGinHCibHVE.qjqPTNtbkt7nA_FF2uoW0HquDptVIAIxDpKt4Ndx-k8&dib_tag=se&keywords=DeWALT+DWXAF101&qid=1740310991&sprefix=dewalt+dwxaf101,aps,132&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Its also has an automatic mode with inbuilt air sensor (Don't know how good it is?)

UK imports taxes & shipping are high from buying Amazon US and its 110V I believe.

I wonder why Dewalt don't have a UK version.

Uhmmm?

Sideways · 2025-02-23T13:12:12+0000

For air filters, I think standards compliance is a big deal. Vendors wave labels about with gay abandon but if they say something is compliant with an international standard, they should be able to show a test certificate and are putting their necks on the block rather more.

For hepa filters H13 is the number.
It means 99.95% of those 0.3um are caught.
H14 means 99.995% of those 0.3um particles are caught (so 10x better).

But true HEPA filters are pricey, need a fairly powerful fan to push the air through, and tend to be bulky too like for like.
If you are working with hazardous silica dust, etc maybe necessary, but for DIY woodwork, I do wonder if that's overkill and maybe an F14 filter (older standards terminology, I'm not sure what the current euro equivalent is) would be enough. Those are typically considered good enough for welding fumes and car exhaust fumes, so pretty fine, and definitely cheaper.

I looked at the link to the dewalt above. It says H11. That's probably why they don't import it.
H11 is hundred times poorer than H13 so I doubt it qualifies as a "standards compliant" HEPA filter, certainly under the ISO worldwide standard, the American standards aren't much different so it wouldn't quality there either.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HEPA

Thedog · 2025-02-23T19:10:15+0000

Thanks, Sideways.
But is it true to say the H11 is better than what filters are fitted to the like of the Record, Jet or Axminster filters?
I would like something that can filter down to 0.3um such as the H13 you you suggest, but what units are readily available in the UK?
Interesting subject, I am sure could go really in depth, a subject in itself.

I have a Camvac extractor which is 0.5um but the two output pipes are vented externally.
Problem is I have no widows in my workshop, so need to keep the dust to a minimum. I have a dust sensor, and its really surprising to see what's thrown up into the air, even went just cutting with my table saw or bandsaw. Its fairly concerning to to see how it spikes up so quickly.