One micron filter for small Axminster extractor?

[flanajb]

I have been on the verge of purchasing one of the new JET Cyclone extractors for sometime, but after sitting down and reviewing how often I would use it, I came to the conclusion it was just too extravagant. Therefore, I am now trying to see whether I can purchase a 1 micron filter with the paddle inside for my existing extractor. The issue I am facing is that the outer diameter of the flange that the filter would sit over is only 275mm. The current smallest offering I can find is 370mm.

Does anyone know whether I can either

a) Buy one of the shelf
b) Adapt my machine with some sort of cone which would widen the outer diameter out to 370mm so I can use the Axminster one.

 

[Argus]

You may end up doing a bit of conversion therapy on it, I don’t know the construction of the extract machine you have and presuming that the motor has the capacity to overcome the added resistance of extra filter media, one paradox of fabric or paper filter material is that the more it is used, the more particles it attracts – obviously – but in doing so gets more efficient in terms of filtration as it blocks up with minute debris, until eventually it clogs to the point of uselessness.

In practice, this means that over time the air flow through the filter reduces drastically as the resistaance increases.

Many small extract units have motors rated for intermittent use placed in the airflow and the motor usually relies on the throughput of air to cool its windings. It’s worth considering this as you obviously don’t want a burnt-out motor.

Otherwise good luck with your efforts, filtration down to 1 micron or less usually relies on more than one filter element in the flow.

 

[Rorschach]

I had the same problem with my machine, it had a 1 micron filter bag (which clogged fast) and plastic bag underneath, I wanted a paddle type. I made a ring from chipboard as an adaptor for the larger paddle type filter, it works fine, just means you have to remove it now and again to clean around the ring as it doesn't drop into the bag. To improve things even more I now use the 1 micron bag as the collection bag, so I have a double filter really, keeps air flow high for a really long time and since I use cyclone separators there filters only capture fine dust, no chippings.

 

[flanajb]

Thanks chaps. I was contemplating making a ring to sit over the existing cylindrical flange to give me the required diameter, but was concerned about the dust collecting on the flat surface. Given that sounds like it isn't too much of an issue I think I'll do just that. I will also look at introducing a cyclone too.

 

[Rorschach]

Thanks chaps. I was contemplating making a ring to sit over the existing cylindrical flange to give me the required diameter, but was concerned about the dust collecting on the flat surface. Given that sounds like it isn't too much of an issue I think I'll do just that. I will also look at introducing a cyclone too.

You are right, dust will settle but it only takes a minute to lift off the filter and brush it off the ring. I actually use my shop vac to clean my bigger extractor, reason being the shop vac has a dust deputy cyclone which is very efficient and probably slightly better at capturing fine dust than my bigger 100mm cyclones (though they do extremely well considering that almost all the dust I make is incredibly fine and I run a sandblaster) so it's easy to clean out, and the shop vac filter is easily washable so I just powerwash it when required (a few times a year)

 

[flanajb]

Thanks chaps. I was contemplating making a ring to sit over the existing cylindrical flange to give me the required diameter, but was concerned about the dust collecting on the flat surface. Given that sounds like it isn't too much of an issue I think I'll do just that. I will also look at introducing a cyclone too.

You are right, dust will settle but it only takes a minute to lift off the filter and brush it off the ring. I actually use my shop vac to clean my bigger extractor, reason being the shop vac has a dust deputy cyclone which is very efficient and probably slightly better at capturing fine dust than my bigger 100mm cyclones (though they do extremely well considering that almost all the dust I make is incredibly fine and I run a sandblaster) so it's easy to clean out, and the shop vac filter is easily washable so I just powerwash it when required (a few times a year)

Thanks. That's most helpful.

Are Axminster the cheapest place to buy the filters with the integrated paddle or has anyone else found a cheaper place?

 

[Rorschach]

Thanks chaps. I was contemplating making a ring to sit over the existing cylindrical flange to give me the required diameter, but was concerned about the dust collecting on the flat surface. Given that sounds like it isn't too much of an issue I think I'll do just that. I will also look at introducing a cyclone too.

You are right, dust will settle but it only takes a minute to lift off the filter and brush it off the ring. I actually use my shop vac to clean my bigger extractor, reason being the shop vac has a dust deputy cyclone which is very efficient and probably slightly better at capturing fine dust than my bigger 100mm cyclones (though they do extremely well considering that almost all the dust I make is incredibly fine and I run a sandblaster) so it's easy to clean out, and the shop vac filter is easily washable so I just powerwash it when required (a few times a year)

Thanks. That's most helpful.

Are Axminster the cheapest place to buy the filters with the integrated paddle or has anyone else found a cheaper place?

Can't answer your last question, I bought mine from axminster mostly because their price was reasonable, they were very helpful in giving me dimensions (they opened a box and took specific measurements for me so I knew my plan would work) and I could return it more easily if it didn't work out.