What dust filtration units are people using?

[Moonsafari69]

My workshop is single garage size and I'm using a Microclene air filter. I know it's working 'ok' as the filter regularly needs a clean out, but I'm wondering if it's big enough for my workshop?

What do you think, what would you suggest?

Cheers.

 

[PAC1]

It is the wrong approach the dust has to go past your nose to get to the filter. Far better to capture as much as possible at source then you do not breath it and the air cleaner is plenty big enough.

 

[Moonsafari69]

It is the wrong approach the dust has to go past your nose to get to the filter. Far better to capture as much as possible at source then you do not breath it and the air cleaner is plenty big enough.

Hi PAC1, I have dust extraction at source as well as the air filter. I was questioning whether the Microclene was a big enough filter for the air volume in the workshop. Seems it is Thanks.

 

[woodpig]

I use the Record power AC400 for my 5m x 3m workspace and it seems to work quite well. I leave it running on timer for an hour after I stop working.

 

[Moonsafari69]

I use the Record power AC400 for my 5m x 3m workspace and it seems to work quite well. I leave it running on timer for an hour after I stop working.

Thanks for the reply woodpig, how quiet/noisy is the AC400? How close is too close to it from a noise perspective?

Thanks.

 

[woodpig]

I can't tell you what the noise level measures but I'm sure it's on the record site somewhere. What I can say is it's not very noisy at all IMO. It's only a few feet from me when I'm turning and it's normally on when I'm sanding.

 

[Moonsafari69]

I can't tell you what the noise level measures but I'm sure it's on the record site somewhere. What I can say is it's not very noisy at all IMO. It's only a few feet from me when I'm turning and it's normally on when I'm sanding.

So there's for me an important thing. My Microclene unit is 'really' noisy, easily as noisy as my CamVac. Thanks again for your comments, if I can get something with same/better airflow and is quieter then I'm going to have a look around. Are there any negative points in your opinion of the AC400?

 

[sunnybob]

I'm with pac1, I'm not keen on the fact this kind of filter draws the very fine dust upwards past your face. All filtration is good of course, but if I had one of those I would position it so it draws air away from where youre standing.

as far as noise levels, any smart phone can download a decibel meter app in seconds, so you no longer have the "in my opinion" debate.

 

[Moonsafari69]

I'm with pac1, I'm not keen on the fact this kind of filter draws the very fine dust upwards past your face. All filtration is good of course, but if I had one of those I would position it so it draws air away from where youre standing.

as far as noise levels, any smart phone can download a decibel meter app in seconds, so you no longer have the "in my opinion" debate.

Other than using dust/chip extraction at source, do you not use an additional air filter sunnybob? If I'm sanding (especially on the lathe or ROS), there's always dust in the air that hopefully either gets caught in the powered air filter or my face-mask filter. If you can't leave a couple of doors/windows open, what better choices are there?

 

[woodpig]

I'm not keen on the fact this kind of filter draws the very fine dust upwards past your face. All filtration is good of course, but if I had one of those I would position it so it draws air away from where youre standing.

My AC400 is mounted above my head near the roof. It actually blows filtered air past my face when I'm turning.

 

[sunnybob]

I have an extraction system using a sip dust collector and 62mm tubing to my machines, with a cyclone in line. I'm in the process of building a bigger cyclone because they are MAGIC!
Yep, I also wear a mask while using the machines. I dont have a lathe, which is definitely the biggest dust making offender.

As I said, i am anti those ceiling mounted filters because they keep the very fine dust in the air, so even after youve finished and take your mask off, they are still sucking the dust across your face.

I have actually seen that effect watching a turner making pens. The dust coming off that lathe lifting straight across his face to the roof mounted filter was frightening.
My single car garage sized workshop has one advantage in that I have a roller door at each end, so i can open it up after a big day and the wind blows the remaining fine dust out for me
If the filter can be placed so you are on the outlet side, thats much better.

 

[woodpig]

Review here shows the amount of noise it makes.

https://youtu.be/E2qE9A3ijzs

 

[Moonsafari69]

Review here shows the amount of noise it makes.
https://youtu.be/E2qE9A3ijzs

Thanks! I was looking at that earlier, off the back of your earlier post. That'll be me in the comments asking him about the control panel location. Thus far it does tick a lot of boxes, and SO much quieter than what I have right now.

 

[Moonsafari69]

I have a roller door at each end, so i can open it up after a big day and the wind blows the remaining fine dust out for me... If the filter can be placed so you are on the outlet side, thats much better.

Sounds like you have the perfect dust solution there sunnybob with the two door arrangement. I use a similar 2 1/2" ducted (camvac) system for the main dust collection but I have no other way of venting my workshop (single garage size) to the outside world. So, for me the route of the air filter is still a definite way to go. Like you say positioning is important and I agree with that. Judging from the amount of dust that gets trapped in the Microclene filter I wouldn't want to be without it to be honest. Reality is I want a better/quieter/more efficient air filter.

 

[sunnybob]

Its quite easy to build a sound deadening box for most floor mounted filter motors. The SIP I have had an ear splitting whine like a jet engine. I was wearing ear muffs almost all the time it was on.
A 22mm MDF box lined with old blankets brought the noise down to just the roar of the air through pipework. Now I only wear muffs when using the router table.

 

[skipdiver]

I also have the Record in a 5mt x 3mt workshop and it's not really noisy at all to my ears. I extract as much dust as possible at source and wear an airshield as well. I have the air filter near the door, at the opposite end of the workshop to where i do most of my work. I think it has definitely made an improvement to the working enviroment. I try to do all the dust creating stuff in the morning and leave the filter on when i go in the house for lunch. I come back to a nice clear workshop for the afternoon.

 

[Moonsafari69]

...I have the air filter near the door, at the opposite end of the workshop to where i do most of my work. I think it has definitely made an improvement to the working enviroment.

skipdiver, do you have it blowing the exhaust into the main workshop space? If so how much room do you have behind where the filters are mounted to get a good airflow into it? Thanks.

 

[skipdiver]

The filter side is about 1.5 mts from the end of my workshop at the door end and i work at the other end. It exhausts away from me towards the door. So that leaves 3.5 mts the other side. It is hanging from the rafters, the recommended 2.1 mts from the floor.

 

[woodpig]

The manual for the AC400 is here if anyone wants to have a look:

http://www.free-instruction-manuals.com ... 403467.pdf

 

[WellsWood]

. I know it's working 'ok' as the filter regularly needs a clean out...

I think I have to add my vote here on the side of PAC,s original comment. These things are good for keeping the dust from settling, and for clearing the air after a dusty job (particularly if you leave the shop while it does its thing), but have highly dubious benefits otherwise. The fact that it needs cleaning regularly simply highlights the inadequacy of your "at source" dust extraction - remember, the filter is breathing the same air as you, if it's collecting dust then so are you!