0.5 micron filters or put machine outside?

[Shay Vings]

We are told that filtering down to .5 micron is essential for health. Yet on the low speed high volume chip/dust extractors, such filters are an extra cost > £100.

I assume that all filtering is upstream of the exhaust outlet, so that if the exhaust ( or the complete extractor ) is in a different space to the workshop, then no need for expensive add on filters. Correct deduction ?

 

[Oryxdesign]

yeah but if you put it outside it'll take your heat and your dust

 

[Dangermouse]

ok for the summer! (hammer)

 

[CHJ]

Outside not too bad in the winter either if you can control the replacement air path.
I'm fortunate to be able to open a window that allows a direct short path airflow to the extractors and does not seriously lower the basic background heat.

 

[chipmunk]

There is another solution which keeps the unit inside the workshop but still sucks out the heat though.

In my old workshop I replaced the top filter bag with an upturned bucket and a length of 110mm waste pipe with a 90 degree bend stuffed through the wall. This vented all of the light weight dust outside and the heavy stuff fell into the waste sack as normal. It worked a treat and had the added benefit of keeping the extractor handy and the extractor pipes short. It also meant that there wasn't a filter to get clogged at all so gave maximum suck all of the time.

I now have a twin motor Canvac which not only keeps the heat in the workshop but generates heat too. On the downside it's hot in summer, noisy and the filter gets clogged after a relatively short time. I don't think there is ever a perfect system.

Jon

 

[Shay Vings]

Good point abut clogged filters on camvac and similar.

I don't understand why the high speed low volume camvac machine can make do with a paper bag costing £small whereas on the low speed high volume chip/ dust types, it is well over £100 to get the same result

 

[beech1948]

Current wisdom is to convert your single stage DC to a two stage DC

Between DC and machine add a dust separator eg Thien Separator Phil Thien or buy something similar butmore expensive.

You really need to filter down to 0.3 microns so adding a pleated filter on top of your bagged DC is a good idea. If too pricey then try a 5 micron bag.

With this two stage DC you should get good filtration.

A Thien separator should cost you not more than £40 or less

Al

 

[Silverbirch]

In my old workshop I replaced the top filter bag with an upturned bucket and a length of 110mm waste pipe with a 90 degree bend stuffed through the wall. This vented all of the light weight dust outside and the heavy stuff fell into the waste sack as normal. It worked a treat and had the added benefit of keeping the extractor handy and the extractor pipes short. It also meant that there wasn't a filter to get clogged at all so gave maximum suck all of the time.

Jon

After much deliberation, I did something very similar. It works a treat!

 

[graduate_owner]

Surely a 5 micron filter will allow the dangerous particles through to enter your lungs? I thought that was the idea of having a 0.5 micron filter.

K

 

[wallace]

To help reduce small size dust particles in the workshop I added a little lean to shed to my workshop, I have two dust extractors. one with a filter bag and one with a big thein baffle which then vents straight outside. I also keep my HPLV hoover and compressor in their. It makes the place alot quieter