Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Jan 23, 2007 05:39pm | #1

   Hi Mr. Challenged,

   We published plans for a small down-draft sanding table a few years back that was well received by readers.

   I'm also going to move your question to John White's folder because he built a really nice downdraft sanding table for the Fine Woodworking shop, and he can offer good advice about designing for efficient dust collection.

   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

    

1. 
   shopchallenged | Jan 24, 2007 12:09am | #2

   I checked that article yesterday.   Using that model would mean I would have to change the entire design of my table, but if that's what I need to do to make it work then that's what I'll have to do.   Thanks

2. 
   JohnWW | Jan 24, 2007 01:24am | #3

   The basic secret for an effective down draft table is to have a large air flow, anything less than a 1 1/2 hp dust collector, with a good non restricting hose hook up, for a small table won't be effective.

   After doing some experimenting in the shop, I'm going to suggest an alternative to a down draft table.  I found that a random orbit sander with a good shop vac hook up will collect virtually all of the dust generated, making a table unnecessary.  For the trouble and expense involved with building a table you could go out and buy a good sander and a small dedicated shop vac with a fine particle filter. 

   I found that an inexpensive small Ridgid shop vac, with an accessory fine dust filter, worked very well for under a hundred dollars.  Even an el cheapo Ryobi random orbit sander caught most of the dust when hooked up to the vac and using a sander with excellent dust pick up, like the Festool models, will probably approach 100% effectiveness, which is quite a bit better than using a downdraft table.

   John White 

   
   

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   Edited 1/23/2007 5:26 pm ET by JohnWW

1. 
   shopchallenged | Jan 24, 2007 04:12am | #4

   I have tried Ryobi's ROS, I like the sander but found it hard to control with the shop vac hooked to it.   I always use vac bags designed for drywall cleanup.   They hold even the most minute particles.

   I built a downdraft table, thought if I put the hole in the bottom center, with baffles sloping down to it, would work.   I'm using a small dust collector I got at harbor freight.  Will have to check the HP but I think it's 1 1/2.   I hooked up a short hose to it.   The whole line isn't more than 4' long.   I don't have a wall around mine to keep the suction straight down, also I used 1/4" pegboard, maybe the holes are too small?    I'll have to see it I can take some pics and send them so you can see what i built.

   I love Festool, don't have that kind of money.

3. 
   fussy | Jan 24, 2007 05:56am | #5

   Hi shopchallenged:

   If you want the definitive work on sanding tables and anything involving dust collection, go to http://www.billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/index.cfm .  Anything you want to know will be there.  He likes to tout BIG dust collectors, but he doesn't sell anything so I believe you can trust him.  Also, take recommendations with a grain of salt.  He thinks on an industrial scale.  Combine the knowledge you glean from him with other articles, and you won't be far off.

1. 
   shopchallenged | Jan 24, 2007 07:48pm | #6

   I checked out that link, thanks.   His looks very similar to what I built.    I used toilet flanges instead of duct fittings.

   I enclosed some pics of what I built.    Because I have a small shop I encorporated the sanding table with my work bench.   It's on wheels so I can move it around.   These pictures don't show how I delt with with the collection part.   I used a 4" hose from the table to the side wall of the cabinet.   There it connects to another toilet flange, on the other side of that wall is another flange that connects to my dust collector.

   I guess my problem is I didn't know I need a wall around it, and I have 1/4" hole instaed of 3/8.    Guess I still have some more work to do.    The cabinet is still a work in progress.   I'm putting doors on both sides so i can store tools down there.  I'm also going to put a 2"X2" rail around the edge so I will have something to clamp to.