Hi everybody,
Given my DC issues and the effects they’ve had on the heat exchanger located in my shop, It’s clear that in addition to my shop-built AFS and sealing the HVAC ducting ad filter openings, I need a downdraft table. I’m not gonna pay Rockler $200 for a kit, let alone buy a pre-built one. Since I got a squirrel cage blower fan for my AFS for free from an HVAC contractor, I’m sure I can get another.
Would you be willing to share any free plans you’ve acquired or your own designs with me? It would be most appreciated. If you’d like, you could send it to me offline at [email protected].
Thanks in advance,
Mitch
“I’m always humbled by how much I DON’T know…”
Replies
Don't have any plans per se but here're some pictures. I have a different designed bookmarked somewhere, but can't seem to find it. If I do, I'll post it here. Also, I bought a downdraft table at an auction last year. If you want measurements and pictures, I'd be glad to send them to you.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Is this it? Real Lalonde's Air Filter / Downdraft Table:
http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/plansshare/air_filter_downdraft_sanding_table.htmEdward
That's the design I had in mind when I made the suggestion...Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Mike,
Given your comments on the benefits of a large downdraft table (can double as an outfeed table, base for an assembly table, etc.), I'm reconsidering my concerns about the large size in my 20'x13' shop. I've also read that one or two people have used their downdraft table to replace their air filtration system - any thoughts on that?
See ya,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Mitch.. I'll be honest with ya; I can't comment from experience as I just don't have that kinda shop space. My inability to house all the necessary sooker-ooters in addition to the wood munchers was the main factor in my decision to switch to handraulics... machinery just had too much additional baggage with it to make sense for me....
SWMBO's asthema has improved as a result so the change has made some difference..
That said, I'd still have a good long read of Bill Pentz's site, take on board what he's saying (not just about cyclones) and apply the lessons to your model....Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Edward,
Thanks - I pulled those off the web already; they were the only ones I could find, strangely enough...
Thanks again,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
That's not it, but I bookmarked it right away! Clever idea to have it exhaust along the floor. Also clever having it at the back of the table saw. Seems like you could make an auxiliary top with miter slots to slap on top when you need big outfeed support for the TS.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Re: "Clever idea to have it exhaust along the floor. " Actually I'm thinking of pointing it up somewhat (~45 degrees) to cool me off and to not stir up the dust on the floor.
Edward
DANG! NICE! Really nice....
To bad for us folks with a small shop!
Thanks, Jamie. This is another, albeit similar, design (compared to what Edward posted). I guess, as I look at these, that it's not necessary to have the suction portion of the squirrel cage facing the top, is that right? As long as the whole blower fan and motor are enclosed, the suction's about the same?Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
I think with the downdraft table you're looking for airflow rather than suction. Can't say that I totally understand how all this works, but it's like the difference between a vacuum cleaner and a dust collector. A vacuum has lots of suction, but not enough air flow to serve as a good dust collector with a machine. With a blower of that size being enclosed in a small space, the air flow is going to be considerable, so there should be no need for the intake end to face the dozens of holes in the top.
What I like about this design and the other one I can't find is the slanting boards that funnel the dust down. That's quite different from the downdraft table I have.
Making the table multipurpose by having drawers is important for most of us I'd think. I plan on having virtually all of my sanding stuff either in or on the DD table eventually. Especially true if you build one this big. You can build a skinny one (like 6" high) and use a shop vac, but I don't know how effective they are.
I gotta go find that other one -- driving me nuts!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I think the air flow vs. suction explanation makes lots of sense.
I also think the example EF posted might be the one you're thinking of, since it has slanted boards:
http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/plansshare/air_filter_downdraft_sanding_table.htm
Let me know,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Hi Mitch -- missed yesterday at Knots due to a wind-spawned power-outage! Now have my heat and computer back, not to mention water (we're on a well). Ahhhhh.
Anyhoo, while I like that table posted above, there's yet another one out there. Filters are oriented differently. Haaven't had a chance to look for it yet. Later!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
this one maybe...?? it's about midway down the page....
http://the-wildings.com/shop/jigsMike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
managed to find this one ...
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/plans/index.cfm/plan_details/5/84/1477
Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Thanks -
Saw that, bit it doesn't have the plans, although if I spring for the $199 kit, I get the plans for free!
Talk about a bargain!Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Found this on the DIY Network site - very different concept, but interesting and a lot easier to build...
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/hi_tools/article/0,2037,DIY_13936_3087042,00.htmlMitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
<shakin head slowly...
can ye nae work fae the photo...???
plans are just a basic carcass construction built to a set size; adapt the size to suit your needs.,... nae theirs....
c'monnnn.... use your imagination... it's nae rocket science....
;)Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
"<shakin head slowly...
can ye nae work fae the photo...???
plans are just a basic carcass construction built to a set size; adapt the size to suit your needs.,... nae theirs....
c'monnnn.... use your imagination... it's nae rocket science....
;)"
I just love it when you talk like that...Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Gives ya goosebumps, doesn't it? ROFL!!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
startin to see why hand tools make sense yet..??
<duckin....
;P~~Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
startin to see why hand tools make sense yet..??
**********I'm reminded every time I crank up my router, a noisy, messy beast.The jointer's at least quieter and the dust chute dumps into a recycling bin the city thoughtfully furnished.It's at least fun when I spread shavings around with the planes and the lathe.Hmm. Time for a beer, I'll be thinking of you as I drink, Mike.Leon Jester
Hmm. Time for a beer, I'll be thinking of you as I drink, Mike.
lol..
Slange Vaar Leon....Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
try this
http://billpentz.com/woodworking/Downdraft.html
Thanks, Dave!Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Hello Mitch,
This is a down draft sanding bench that I made awhile back. I do not have a plan but the photo on this page http://www.superwoodworks.com/Projects/SandingBench.htm may be helpful for ideas to build your own. If I can help in anyway, just contact me.
Garry
WoodWorks by Garry
Gary... that's a pretty fancy lookin bench... nice job...
I'm curious though.. The other benches I've seen have shutes pitched at quite an agressive angle under the outer sections of the table (kinda like carburetter venturi on steroids); yours is the first I've seen where that shute's been reduced to a basic duct.
I'm curious as to the air flow through your bench; instingt tells me it'd be great directly above the filters... not so great towards the outer edges. Has this been your experience??Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Well Mike many have had their concerns with my design as you have expressed.Most of the tiime when I am sanding at the bench the most natural place for me to place the items to be sanded is directly over the filter area. This causes the the system to seek air intake around the piece which is being sanded. This is the reason I have holes and shallow channels routed in the plywood. The pegboard that is the sanding surface also portrudes above the hardwood edges 1/32" to help avoid further air starvation.The holes and grooves have been added in increments as I have seen the need. As far as the agessive angles that you have seen in other designs, I am sure that it may make it easier to for the dust to flow toward the filter but because of the drawers that have been designed into the bench I had limited space for the duct work. There is never any dust left in the ducts on each side of the filter.Believe me Mike, this may not be the most efficent design but it has served me very well. I am able to sand larger pieces than most. The only addition that I plan to make is a duct to the rear that I can slide open and close.I find myself edge sanding pieces hanging over the rear edge and not all of the dust is sucked back toward the top. This would allow more dust that is now falling to the floor to be sucked into the rear duct.I welcome anyone that is designing one of their own to stop by my shop and try it out. I am always willing to spend time and learn from fellow woodworker's.
If you have any additonal questions I would be happy to try to answer them.
GarryWoodWorks by Garry
mvac,
Like you, I was tired of the air being filled with dust every time I sanded. Plus, the surface of the wood is also full of dust and needs to be cleaned off between grits and needs to be cleaned again before you add a finish.
I looked into downdraft tables, but my shop is limited in size. Also, even with a downdraft table, you have to clean the wood surface off between sandings. Instead, I tried out a Festool sander, connected to a Festool dust extractor. Unbelievable! No more dust while sanding! These sanders are amazing. They vacuum up 97%-98% of all the dust AS YOU ARE SANDING. No dust in the air and no dust on the surface of the wood. Plus, they don't take up any extra room.
It might sound like I have stock in Festool or something, but really it's just that these things do such an amazing job I can't say enough about them. It's not marketing hype -- they really do collect practically all the dust. Festool sanders have other benefits as well, but dust collection is the point of this discussion.
If you get one of Festool's random-orbit sanders and one of their dust extractors, you're all set. They have a lot of sanders. My suggestion is to go with the ETS 150/5 sander and the CT22 dust extractor.
Here are the links:
http://www.festoolusa.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=7&prodid=571541
http://www.festoolusa.com/category.aspx?ID=6
Matthew,
Thanks for the recommendations. First let me say that if you ever get tired of spending some of your disposable income on yourself, I know a great charity, and it just happens to be located in my home!
Second, 500 smackers seems like a lot to pay for a hand sander and a dust extractor, but of course one usually gets what one pays for. Unfortunately for me, even if I chose that route, it wouldn't fit into my budget.
The other thing that crossed my mind is that at certain stages, especially finishing and finishing prep, I do a lot of hand sanding.
I don't know if you saw my thread re: my problems w/ dust in my HVAC system (and if you contributed and I forgot, forgive me), but the HVAC contractor who's coming out to clean the coil, motor and fan is also going to bring a squirrel cage blower fan and motor from a replaced heat pump, and my plan is to create a mobile downdraft/assembly/outfeed table with the squirrel cage set into the base.
I'm glad you're having a good experience with the Festool sander and extractor; Festool certainly has a good rep.
Thanks again,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Attached is a plan that was on the board a while back that might work for you. You could mount in an outfeed table, topped with peg board, which is what I have done. It has helped considerably.
Pat
Edited 3/24/2005 1:28 pm ET by Pat
Edited 3/24/2005 1:29 pm ET by Pat
Pat,
Thanks. I'm basically going to do what you've done, although I'm probably going to go with 3/4" ply on the top to provide a stronger, more stable surface, then drill a whole bunch of 3/4" or 1" holes in it.
Nice wiring illustration, too.
Thanks again,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled