Anyone use air filtration ?

[Gary M]

Hi all,
I just wondering if anyone uses one of these and if so are they a great benefit to controlling dust in the workshop ?
I have good extraction but its the dust that you don't suck up i'm thinking of.
Next morning there is always a fine coating of dust over things.
The workshop is approx 8M x3.6M X3M so 86m3.(i think)
Thanks,
Gary.

 

[Philly]

Gary
I have a different model but really recommend air cleaners. As you say, its the fine dust that causes your lungs harm, and these cleaners remove that. So do yourself a favour - get one!
Cheers
Philly

 

[christoph clark]

I have the the microclene mc1200 and I must say that it's suprising how much fine dust it does pick up. I wouldn't be without it. I like it also because it's very portable and the base is very small so you can put it next to where you are working. The fox is more of a fixed ceiling mounted filter.
http://www.microclene.com.au/

YOu can see mine on the top left of the picture.

 

[gidon]

I do too - I have the Microclene mc400. They are quite effective but this one is way too noisy for a small shed. I would recommend finding a quiet one - I can't hear the radio over mine which means I tend to have it off when I'm in the workshop and on a timer to come on when I'm not there which is sort of the wrong way round!
Cheers
Gidon

 

[BradNaylor]

I can definitely recommend getting one. Here is mine!

It really does get rid of a lot of the fine dust in the air escapes normal dust extraction or that is produced when routing.

No workshop should be without one.

Cheers
Dan

 

[PowerTool]

I've got this small one from Axminster,but the workshop is only small.
Reasonably quiet - can't hear it when the lathe is on.
First time you clean the filter after the first time you use it,you will wonder why you never got one sooner..

Andrew

 

[paulm]

I have the microclene 1200 too and effective though it is it's way too noisy, to the extent that I try to avoid putting it on which defeats the purpose of course

Cheers, Paul

 

[DaveL]

I have a DaveL special :roll: its based on Axminster filters, just not as pretty to look at, er bit like me really.

And if you look here you can see how to make your own.

 

[Gary M]

Thanks for the positive responses guys, I have been pondering one of these for a week or two now, but i wasn't sure just how effective they were.
A filter is now top of the list.

Dave, hats off to you mate, if it works, it doesn't really matter how pretty it is does it
Unfortunately i just don't have the time, or bits and pieces to make my own so i will have to buy one.
Many thanks,
Gary.

 

[wizer]

To make it worth making your own, you need to find a very cheap (or free) fan. Just had a quick look on ebay and they go for £75 upwards. The MTM is only £140.

Is the MDM quiet?

 

[davin]

Hi Gary.

I have that very same Jet filter in my workshop.
Not sure what I was expecting it to achieve when I bought it.
It won't clear the dust from the air while you are working, even at full blast.
I now leave it on when I leave at night -seems to be better at clearing dust particles from the air in an empty workshop, when the dust has settled so to speak.
Still don't know how to make my working environment safe.
But compared to the amount of money I have spent on tools, anything spent on personal protection has to be a good investment.

 

[Shadowfax]

I've got this one: http://www.axminster.co.uk/recno/5/product-Jet-AFS-500-Air-Filtration-System-21189.htm
Pretty quiet on the low speed and it picks up a lot of dust from the air judging by the state of the outer filter after a few days.

SF

 

[NeilO]

Yep, I have the exact same ...Jet AFS 500

And now having one, wouldnt want to be without it, seeing how much airborne dust it actually collects :shock:

 

[DavidE]

I agree with all that has been posted. I have the Jet and it picks a lot of fine dust up. I have quite a sensitive nose to dust etc. I believe that I've noticed the difference since installing it and have it on low all the time when I'm in there or go out for lunch etc. When I'm making lots of dust I wack it up to high.

All I can say is I should have got it sooner.

Cheers
David

 

[wizer]

How noisy is the Jet

 

[Nilfisk ALTO]

As an ex Mining Engineer and now a Vacuum specialist the best advice I can give here is to capture as much of the dust before it gets airborne as you can. Once the dust is airborne it is much more difficult to deal with. Get yourself a decent dust extractor and protect your health by capturing the dust at source.

 

[tnimble]

How noisy is the Jet

For the AFS-500
Slow 57 dBA
Medium 59 dBA
Fasy 61 dBA

For the AFS-1000B
Slow 62dBA
Medium 67dBA
Fast 69 dBA

 

[Gary M]

Well 9am this morning i was at my friendly dealers.
Resulting in a purchase of the larger Jet this one.
I have it positioned on top of the roof joists at the minute.
It is not too noisy at all, ok there is a hum from it but completely bearable.
Had it running most of the day and there is a coating of dust on the front filter already. The timer on it is a handy thing, on leaving i gave the whole workshop a good blow down with the blower from the compressor, closed the door with the machine running for another 4 hours. So i will see what its like in the morning.
One concern i have is where to site it ? does it need to be in the middle of the workshop ?
As i said i have it on top of the roof joists, but as all my timber and sheet goods are stored there its almost like another floor. I can feel the air being blown out the back of the filter but i am a bit concerned that it isn't in the best place for the dust i am wanting to avoid at bench height and head height.
Any suggestions on positioning and wether it makes a big difference, no use having it running unless its at its full potential.
Cheers,
Gary.

 

[NeilO]

Wizer, I know Tnimble gave you the Db rates, but in laymans terms the Jet AFS 500 ( of which I have , so CAN comment) on low you can barely hear it, just a nice cooling breeze especially welcome during our hot summers :lol: :lol:
medium I would have said, quiet enough to carry on a normal conversation.
and high is is a bearable volume even for long stints in the shop, it even gets drowned out by my cordless drill.....

how I tend to use mine is , if Im in the shop it goes on low, whenever im in the shop...
if Im doing some woodworking like planing (hand) chiselling etc, ie not huge amounts of chipings , rather shavings and chunks its on medium, you`ll be surpised how much dust is still around just walking round your shop..
and after a good session, whatever ive been doing , it goes on high for 2 hours AFTER i leave the shop, marvelous things timers... :lol:


Gary M , As for positioning the AFS I was told to mount it in such a way that it creates movement of air around the workshop, ie offset it in the rafters or you may find one side of your shop almost dust free and the other side, well need i say more :lol:

 

[whoops!]

I know that MDF goes down to .5 of a micron, but what about oak/ pine/ etc, and the size of the dust that is generated by sanders, tablesaws,router...etc, is it really necessary to go down to .5 micron if you aren't using the dreaded MDF?

Decklan