Shop air filtration

[k1rodeoboater]

Looking to get an air filtration system for my garage. Mostly to help combat sawdust and for my health benefit. I'm still planning on wearing a dust mask (looking at RZ masks right now) and I'll be using a dust deputy hooked up to a shop vac (for the time being will upgrade that later). I've got enough medical problems already, so I'm taking my PPE more seriously to prevent adding more in the future.

What do you guys recommend? Was originally thinking about getting the cheap $150ish WEN unit but my garage is 480sq ft and that unit is sized to a 400sq ft space. It might be fine since it's just me in there working, and I plan on making a downdraft table for sanding or going outside for that bit. This is mostly just for the table saw and miter saw.

 

[Toolfool]

A dust deputy and shopvac, or any other small DC system, is only a chip collector at best. Invest in a quality, oversized air filter. Turn it on well before you start cutting, sanding, routing, and let it run a while after to clear the air. I have the Powermatic. In my previous shop it was paired with a clearvuecyclones DC system. Decide how much your health is worth.

 

[k1rodeoboater]

A dust deputy and shopvac, or any other small DC system, is only a chip collector at best. Invest in a quality, oversized air filter. Turn it on well before you start cutting, sanding, routing, and let it run a while after to clear the air. I have the Powermatic. In my previous shop it was paired with a clearvuecyclones DC system. Decide how much your health is worth.

I'm aware of it's limitations, and it is better than nothing. Using a VAC bag and HEPA filter in the shop vac with the dust deputy is about the best one can do with this setup. I'm planning to upgrade to a 2 stage collector with a pleated filter either when I finish building my CNC Router or I get/build a new tablesaw, whichever comes first. A DW7491 isn't exactly ideal for woodworking but it's what I got. Hooking up a 2 stage DC made zero difference (loaned it to my friend when his TS motor died and he needed to finish an order). It spews dust from under the table as it's not well sealed under there.

I also try to avoid doing anything that is a major dust producer in the garage. Routing, sanding, and breaking down sheet goods with a circular saw is all done outside if possible.

 

[Prospecter]

http://billpentz.com
Everything you would ever want to know about home shop air quality.

The Pentz short version: Outside when possible, PPE always, Catch dust at its source, Vent outside if you can, Good filtration with cyclone indoors if you must, 2+hp, 6+" ductwork.

As far as I can tell, there seems to be little difference between the Wen and hire priced units. Maybe take the savings on the Wen and buy 2?

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

I use a Jet AFS-1000B in a ~1000sf garage. It does an excellent job for general air cleaning, but as others have said, these are not designed for point sources. The cheaper WEN is probably fine for you as long as the air is generally clean. Keep in mind that the ratings on these are usually based on having no air restriction (as in no filter or a perfectly clean filter). The performance drops rapidly as the filter clogs up.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I agree with the other posters. 1. Collect at source. 2. Overhead filtration. 3. PPE.

For filtration I have a Jet and a Delta in my shop. Both are multi speed and have a timer to allow it to run for two hours after shutting down shop.

 

[black00lightning]

I use a Powermatic PM1200 air cleaner for my 960 sqft woodshop. "The PM1200 air filtration system traps up to 99% of all 5‑micron particles and 85% of all 1‑micron particles for a healthier work environment." Works well in conjunction with the Powermatic double bag duct collector.

 

[k1rodeoboater]

http://billpentz.com
Everything you would ever want to know about home shop air quality.

The Pentz short version: Outside when possible, PPE always, Catch dust at its source, Vent outside if you can, Good filtration with cyclone indoors if you must, 2+hp, 6+" ductwork.

As far as I can tell, there seems to be little difference between the Wen and hire priced units. Maybe take the savings on the Wen and buy 2?

Thanks for the link. Looks like I've got some light reading to do.


They do make a bigger unit as well that's less than buying 2 smaller ones IIRC.

Sent from my Pixel XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[RKA]

Another option with a little more flow is this grizzly.
https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-Heavy-Duty-Hanging-Air-Filter/G5955?iparcelcountry=US&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk8etxpTj4wIVg5yzCh0fVggvEAQYAyABEgLhaPD_BwE

The downside is the remote kit is $40 extra. And shipping is $30. The Wen can be shipped free through Amazon and includes the remote.

I wouldn’t go too crazy in terms of price. But I would go with the most airflow you can justify and larger filters given you know you’ll be using tools with poor dust encapsulation (plenty of stuff will go airborne).