Project Information
Hi there. Here is my take on workshop air quality problem. I tended to ignore it until recently, when I purchased Dylos Air Quality Monitor. It is counter of particles in the air, calibrated to count particles of two sizes, especially hazardous for health, and allows to continuously monitor air quality.
Not only did it confirm that my air becomes dusty after sanding, cutting, sawing, but also showed how bad it gets sometimes. The next logical step for me was building an air filtering system. As constant noise could become an issue in itself, I realized that the largest-diameter fan produces the highest flow on lower RPM, which translates to lower frequency noise that is easier to tolerate.
Combining this square 20-inch fan with 20" HEPA filter (by just leaning filter on the fan and seeing it getting sucked onto the grid) instantly showed very promising results - the pollution level dropped 100 times faster than without any filtering, and this particular fan is very quiet even on high speed. So my next project was to build a casing for fan and filter, and put it in some place in the workshop where it is out of the way.
The box is built out of .75" birch plywood, pocket screw joinery. I didn't have to disassemble the fan or even remove its feet - it would be easy to take it out if needed. It is also easy to replace filter - they both are held in place by two eccentric latches pushing them against narrow fences around perimeter. The box is hanging from the ceiling on plastic chains capable of holding 50lb weight - above my height, I won't be able to bump my head. The controls are facing down, so I can turn it on and adjust speed without a problem.
I added a handle on a side in case I will ever have to move it around. There is also a little shelf for air monitor, and power outlet to power it. Finished building it today and already enjoying it - fan is out of the way, I keep it constantly on, and it doesn't take precious power outlet to run - I am using the one on the ceiling. Overall, it cost me about $50 in parts and materials (not counting air monitor).
Not only did it confirm that my air becomes dusty after sanding, cutting, sawing, but also showed how bad it gets sometimes. The next logical step for me was building an air filtering system. As constant noise could become an issue in itself, I realized that the largest-diameter fan produces the highest flow on lower RPM, which translates to lower frequency noise that is easier to tolerate.
Combining this square 20-inch fan with 20" HEPA filter (by just leaning filter on the fan and seeing it getting sucked onto the grid) instantly showed very promising results - the pollution level dropped 100 times faster than without any filtering, and this particular fan is very quiet even on high speed. So my next project was to build a casing for fan and filter, and put it in some place in the workshop where it is out of the way.
The box is built out of .75" birch plywood, pocket screw joinery. I didn't have to disassemble the fan or even remove its feet - it would be easy to take it out if needed. It is also easy to replace filter - they both are held in place by two eccentric latches pushing them against narrow fences around perimeter. The box is hanging from the ceiling on plastic chains capable of holding 50lb weight - above my height, I won't be able to bump my head. The controls are facing down, so I can turn it on and adjust speed without a problem.
I added a handle on a side in case I will ever have to move it around. There is also a little shelf for air monitor, and power outlet to power it. Finished building it today and already enjoying it - fan is out of the way, I keep it constantly on, and it doesn't take precious power outlet to run - I am using the one on the ceiling. Overall, it cost me about $50 in parts and materials (not counting air monitor).
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