Downdraft Sanding Table/Cabinet?

[Kevin Gerstenecker]

I am interested on building a Downdraft Sanding Cabinet utilizing a Squirrel Cage Blower assembly and filtration. I would like to make the cabinet mobile, so I can easily roll it out of the way when it is not in use. I thought this would also be a good way to filter the shop air of the fine dust that I produce, mostly when sanding on the lathe. One of my 'bestest" SMC Buddies has generously offered a swap of a Squirrel Cage Blower unit for some things I have, and I think this will be a nice addition to my shop. I know I saw plans somewhere for a unit like this, but I cannot for the life of me remember where. Does anyone know of plans available? Or, better yet, has anyone built a unit like this, and if so, what are the things that work great for you, or what would you do different if you were building one today? Any information, such as hole size for the top, baffles, and the like would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any and all ideas, advice or suggestions!

[Dave Malen]

I am interested on building a Downdraft Sanding Cabinet utilizing a Squirrel Cage Blower assembly and filtration. I would like to make the cabinet mobile, so I can easily roll it out of the way when it is not in use. I thought this would also be a good way to filter the shop air of the fine dust that I produce, mostly when sanding on the lathe. One of my 'bestest" SMC Buddies has generously offered a swap of a Squirrel Cage Blower unit for some things I have, and I think this will be a nice addition to my shop. I know I saw plans somewhere for a unit like this, but I cannot for the life of me remember where. Does anyone know of plans available? Or, better yet, has anyone built a unit like this, and if so, what are the things that work great for you, or what would you do different if you were building one today? Any information, such as hole size for the top, baffles, and the like would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any and all ideas, advice or suggestions!

Kevin,
Try Fine Woodworking magazine Issues 153 and 160.

Dave

[Ken Salisbury]

Check Terry Hatfield's web site. I know he built one - maybe it is on his site

[Ron Jones near Indy]

Like I said I have no suggestions, but I do have appropriate questions. I understand the concept involved here. You use the blower to draw air and sanding dust into the table and exhaust the air through filters, thereby trapping the dust in the filter. What type of filter do you plan on using? I've seen these shop made varieties using only a furncae filter. My question is, would using a DC (assuming you have one) bringing the air and dust into a 1 micron bag filter be better in terms of filtering out sanding dust? Furnace filters are not nearly as effective are they? Did you plan on using a different type of filter? Sorry to have so many questions and no answers.

[Terry Hatfield]

Check Terry Hatfield's web site. I know he built one - maybe it is on his site

I have the build up on my site, but it's cyclone powered not squirrel cage powered.

t

[EliotMason]

Rockler sells a kit for this too - maybe a visit to their webpage or a store will yield some clues. They aslo sell some none-slide goo you can paint the surface with so the belt sander won't launch your panels.

[Martin Shupe]

I think Woodsmith or Shopnotes had a plan for one a while back. It is on my list of things to build, but I am out of room right now. It will have to wait until the new shop in a couple years.

[Noah Alkinburgh]

Kev,

I thought I was your "bestest" SMC buddy

I have a set of plans for one in a magazine at home. If I remember correctly it fits everything you have mentioned as what you want it to do. If you want I can try and dig it up and get it to you.

Noah

[Kevin Gerstenecker]

Noah, you ARE one of my Bestest SMC Buddies too..........notice in the thread I said "one of", because I have so many here! I have a couple of ideas I have found on the 'Net.......but the more the merrier. I figured the more ideas I have, I can incorporate the best of these to build a very nice unit. Thanks for the offer Noah, that is very kind. If it is not too much trouble, I would like to see the plans that you have too.

[Brent Anderson]

Not necessarily detailed plans, but will get you the general idea

http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/p...ding_table.htm

[Dan Stuewe]

My question is, would using a DC (assuming you have one) bringing the air and dust into a 1 micron bag filter be better in terms of filtering out sanding dust? Furnace filters are not nearly as effective are they? Did you plan on using a different type of filter? Sorry to have so many questions and no answers.

Ron,

I think those 3M Filtrete are pretty comparable to a 1 micron bag. They're available all over the place. I put two in my over head air cleaner with a washable one taking out the biggest stuff (three total filters). I like the way it works, but I'm also concidering converting it too a down draft table, not because I have more room than I know what to do with, but because it could also be a work surface.

[Ron Jones near Indy]

Ron,

I think those 3M Filtrete are pretty comparable to a 1 micron bag. They're available all over the place. I put two in my over head air cleaner with a washable one taking out the biggest stuff (three total filters). I like the way it works, but I'm also concidering converting it too a down draft table, not because I have more room than I know what to do with, but because it could also be a work surface.

Thanks Dan. I'll check out the 3M Filtrete next time I'm at the borg.

[Kevin Gerstenecker]

Dan pretty much nailed what my thought was on the Downdraft Sanding Table Ron. There are very good filters available now, and getting filtering capacity equal to the 1 micron bags on my DC unit is possible. I am building this unit for several reasons: First, to further clean the air in my shop, and to give me a good collection area in which to sand. Second, it will double as an outfeed table for my TS, which will be a nice addition, and third, because I just want to build one. I plan on using a 2 stage filter system.................installing double filters to further the filtering capacity, and to help the 3M Filtrete filters last a little longer, as they will be used for the final filtration. There may be some "trial and error" things to try to get everything just right, but that is half of the fun of undertaking a project such as this. I will let everyone know how things go when I get the unit up and running. I have a few paying jobs to get out of the way first...........but I plan on getting on this as soon as I can.

[Ron Jones near Indy]

Dan pretty much nailed what my thought was on the Downdraft Sanding Table Ron. There are very good filters available now, and getting filtering capacity equal to the 1 micron bags on my DC unit is possible. I am building this unit for several reasons: First, to further clean the air in my shop, and to give me a good collection area in which to sand. Second, it will double as an outfeed table for my TS, which will be a nice addition, and third, because I just want to build one. I plan on using a 2 stage filter system.................installing double filters to further the filtering capacity, and to help the 3M Filtrete filters last a little longer, as they will be used for the final filtration. There may be some "trial and error" things to try to get everything just right, but that is half of the fun of undertaking a project such as this. I will let everyone know how things go when I get the unit up and running. I have a few paying jobs to get out of the way first...........but I plan on getting on this as soon as I can.

You convinced me Kevin. This goes near the top of my to do list. Right after a good work bench to replace the junk one I now use.

[Kevin Gerstenecker]

I'll keep ya posted on the project Ron.............if I run across anything significant, I will let ya know. I have some good information I have scrounged up, and I have a few ideas of my own...........as well as ideas and help from the Creeksters..........should be a nice project, and welcome addition.