Air Filtration Options?

Many of us have made our own. Either using box fans or in my case a used residential air handler squirrel cage blower for a heating system for a 3000 foot home. The used blowers are often available for little or no cost from heating contractors.

Mine is built into a floor cabinet with wheels so I can move it around where it is most needed and it also serves as a work top for my sharpening tools. In the winter it doubles to circulate the heat from my wood stove.

-- Les B, Oregon

Many of us have made our own. Either using box fans or in my case a used residential air handler squirrel cage blower for a heating system for a 3000 foot home. The used blowers are often available for little or no cost from heating contractors. Mine is built into a floor cabinet with wheels so I can move it around where it is most needed and it also serves as a work top for my sharpening tools. In the winter it doubles to circulate the heat from my wood stove.

- LesB

The thought of moving a filter around to where you really need it at the time makes a lot of sense!

-- Larry ~ Alvin, TX (Home of Nolan Ryan)

I have a ceiling mounted PowerTec:

I upgraded the primary filter to a Merv 8:

The PowerTec appears to be the same as a: Jet, Rikon, or Wen. Probably all were manufactured at the same factory.

It works very good in my basement shop. I need to replace the primary filter every three months. I’m also considering a second one for the other side of the basement, (probably a Wen or Jet) to assist with air flow, as my basement stairwell comes down into the center of the space.

Edit: I just ordered a second PowerTec AF1045 directly from PowerTec. $299 + free shipping.

-- "In the end, it's all Hack..."

I have the Jet and very happy with it. Howrver , with a big shop, I would build one with a good sized squirrel cage fan. I would build as a roll around cart.

I have the Jet AFS-1000. And it works great in my 600sf shop. But I see that jet does make a larger unit. With your large shop maybe it will be the one for you.
https://www.jettools.com/us/en/c/woodworking-air-filtration/40?filter=1

So I have read that the air filter should be in one end of the shop. But everyone I know has mounted there air filter in a central area hanging from the ceiling.
I did this as well. Mine hangs pretty well centered in my shop. And I tend to only use it while sanding, and when running a router. My dust collector seems to handle the rest just fine.

-- John

If anyone in the Dallas area wants to build there own, I have a blower/squirrel cage fan from a furnace that I replaced that they can have for free. Funny thing is I was going to throw it away last week but I got side-tracked and left it sitting on the shelf when I went to the landfill. It’s semi large and heavy so shipping is not an option. Send me a PM if interested.

-- NorthWoodsMan

Jet does seem to be the main player in the market, but WEN seems to have a very similar model for cheaper. I have the Jet 1000 (mounted on the side wall), but I’ve seen lots of references to folks being very happy with the WEN. I don’t know if the specs are identical, but you could check. With your large space, you might need two.

The PowerTec appears to be the same as a: Jet, Rikon, or Wen. Probably all were manufactured at the same factory.

- HackFabrication

You are probably correct about them all being made in the same factory!

-- Larry ~ Alvin, TX (Home of Nolan Ryan)

Jet does seem to be the main player in the market, but WEN seems to have a very similar model for cheaper. I have the Jet 1000 (mounted on the side wall), but I ve seen lots of references to folks being very happy with the WEN. I don t know if the specs are identical, but you could check. With your large space, you might need two.

- Dave Mills

I was wondering whether I would need two as well. Whichever unit I decide on I may start with one first located in the area where the most dust production will occur and add later if I need to.

-- Larry ~ Alvin, TX (Home of Nolan Ryan)

I have the Jet AFS-1000. And it works great in my 600sf shop. But I see that jet does make a larger unit. With your large shop maybe it will be the one for you.
https://www.jettools.com/us/en/c/woodworking-air-filtration/40?filter=1

So I have read that the air filter should be in one end of the shop. But everyone I know has mounted there air filter in a central area hanging from the ceiling.
I did this as well. Mine hangs pretty well centered in my shop. And I tend to only use it while sanding, and when running a router. My dust collector seems to handle the rest just fine.

- bigJohninvegas

Interesting about the positioning comment…I had assumed that mine would be located somewhat in the middle of my shop as well.

-- Larry ~ Alvin, TX (Home of Nolan Ryan)

I have the Jet and very happy with it. Howrver , with a big shop, I would build one with a good sized squirrel cage fan. I would build as a roll around cart.

- Redoak49

This is probably a very good idea. The only thing that keeps me from going this route is I have a lot more available overhead space than I do floor space so will most likely go with something hanging from the ceiling.

-- Larry ~ Alvin, TX (Home of Nolan Ryan)

I went with the lower $$$$$ Griz a while back when they were on a sale too good to believe. I bought 2 though, as they are lower on the scale, with both running I can see quite a difference though. I don’t have mine hanging static. I move them around and have them sitting on benches, and counter spaces. That way I can home in on where I am working. I feel like having them around my head, or just below is what I want to protect, with them off that is also about the height I can see the dust floating around. I have 12’ ceilings, and the dust never gets close to that height, hardly anything above 6 to 8’ in my shop. I’m 6’ 2” so I want that to go away. Mine will run on a side, the top or the bottom, so I can change orientation, to get what I need from them.

I have a few friends with hanging units with huge specs, and looking at them you can see what looks like a cone, where it’s pulling dust through the air. You can see the dust by looking out a window, and move around to see where it is heavier, or nothing at all. I’d say I’ve seen an area of maybe 15’ around, past that not so much. That was what made me decide on getting 2, surround myself with air flow. Seems like it works.

-- Think safe, be safe

One problem with putting them down low is that the exhaust may be more likely to stir up anything that is laying on the ground or even on machines. I’ve always thought it makes sense to hang from the ceiling with 2 units at opposite ends of the space such that the exhaust sort of create a current around the shop. The current may help keep fine dust in suspension longer so that it is more likely to be filtered instead of settling out out around the shop.

Also, you may need to consider the cubic footage in addition to square footage when figuring out how much filtration you need.

-- Nathan, TX -- Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.

Interesting about the positioning comment…I had assumed that mine would be located somewhat in the middle of my shop as well.

- Steinbierz

I have several friends that are professional woodworkers. And there air filters are all mounted sort of centered. And much higher than mine. I am in a 3 car garage with 9’ ceilings. But the pro shops have much higher ceilings, warehouse type structure maybe 20’ tall. And air filter is mounted 10 to 12 feet up, hanging from chains.
Jet and Powermatic brands, and always one unit per room.
Key for me is remembering to turn it on. And it seems to clean out a space, even the large shops when we forget to turn it on and it starts to get cloudy in the shop. Within minutes, room looks clear again.

The mention of home made filters,
I started out with this one. You can see it had 3 filters, 2 pre, 1 exhaust.
Seems nothing got past the 1st filter, but I had to change it all the time.

Then I picked up the Jet. The home made one was less money, but cost me the build time and alot of filters.
Served me well early on, and as my budget allowed I upgraded.
The Jet has washable filters. And they get cleaned a couple times a year. But never look as dirty as the one in my 1st photo of the home made filter. Honestly, woodworking as a hobby. I could probably clean it yearly and be fine.

-- John