To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Metal Work Downdraft Tables

S

slodat

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
3,682
Location
Central-ish, WA
I make a lot of parts out of 14ga cold rolled, and 11ga HRPO (hot rolled pickled & oiled) steel sheet. I cut on a CNC plasma. The plasma is tuned as good as I’m able to get it. Minimal dross. I then make a pass around all cuts with a big beefy pedestal grinder to knock the dross off. Through holes always require a pass with a roloc disc. Then I sand both sides with 60 grit on a RO sander. The process works great and I’m happy with the results for the parts I’m making.

Deep down I know I’m breathing in metal dust from these processes. I wear a full face respirator when I’m working on a big batch, but not always. This has me considering a downdraft table. I saw this one on Grizzly’s site. They are out of stock and I’m not a huge fan of Grizzly generally speaking. Not a deal breaker as all the import resellers are selling stuff from the same factories.

That got me looking and I found this model from GMC tools, another seller of import machines.

IMG_4045.jpeg

This unit is wider, and about the same price. And in stock.

I’ve seen the Baleigh and similar offerings. I do think I like this style. All I’m seeing on the used market is beat up shite.

Interested what others have, recommend, or know of that I may be missing. Hoping to stay under $10k.

Thanks in advance!
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
M

MadeByMiller

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
1,230
Location
Rapid City, SD
OP
S

slodat

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
3,682
Location
Central-ish, WA
Austin- I did see Aaron’s table. I had already been on the lookout when he got his. The issue with used is the wait, and most are essentially trash by the time they are being sold.

Diversitech’s website is down:

IMG_4046.jpeg
 
M

mike528

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 20, 2014
Messages
503
Location
Shelby county Ohio
ill second the tfs diy table, otherwise your best option is to contact your local weld shop suppliers and see what they have or sell regularly.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
OP
S

slodat

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
3,682
Location
Central-ish, WA
The TFS DIY table is probably great for occasional use. I'm running 10-15 sheets of material a month, and I want more than a pair of box fans and a furnace filter. I'm trying to filter the very fine dust from the 80 grit sanding, not big chunks.

I hadn't thought about the welding shop suppliers.. Interesting thought. In my experience, they have all been ridiculously over priced and offer to order things I can order for a much better price. I will reach out nonetheless and see what they offer. Thank you for the suggestion!
 
T

txvwnut

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 1, 2015
Messages
7,631
Location
Bedford, Texas
That TFS table gets used daily. I saw a post he did a few weeks ago where he was prepping some metal for welding and was using the DIY table and commented on how it has held up.
 
S

SM Racing

Well-known member
Joined
May 3, 2006
Messages
856
Location
Huntsville, AL
They aren't space ships, you should be able to build your own with your CNC table and some common sense.

Use Filtratech to supply the filters, get a couple of home HVAC squirrel cage fans, fab up some panels and weld them together into a box shape with a big back splash. Then put the blowers inside the cabinet and pull air through the other half of the table. It will draw a ton of air and you can filter all the sparks out in the initial labyrinth of the cabinet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom