Replies

1. 
   ajkelly | Mar 30, 2007 09:18am | #1

   forestgirl,

   I scrolled to the bottom looking for the picture - where's the picture??   Do you have a photo of the behemoth downdraft table to share?  :)

   aj kelly

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 30, 2007 06:39pm | #3

   I might have one in my old, old photo folders.  Will have to look.  If I find one, I'll post it addressed to you as a reply.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   colebearanimals | Mar 30, 2007 07:02pm | #4

   Hi forestgirl,

             If you you really want to keep it simply tear-out all the electrical ( should be simple enough) and hock up an extension cord directly to the blower and just plug it in to turn it on and off.

    

                                  Paul

2. 
   JohnWW | Mar 31, 2007 01:48am | #9

   Hi Forestgirl,

   I would have to agree with the previous posting, hooking a sander to a vac is far more efficient and effective than a down draft table.

   John White

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 31, 2007 07:20pm | #15

   "...hooking a sander to a vac is far more efficient and effective "  That's exactly the reason I've not gone to a huge amount of trouble (e.g., hiring an electrician) to fix this downdraft table.  Have had my DeWalt ROS hooked up to a vacuum for a long time, and it works great.

   Why did I buy the downdraft table?  Seemed like a good ide at the time.  It's hard, when you're walking around a rich woodworker's house, who's bought darned near one (or 2, 3, or 6) of everything, to not bid, LOL!  This is the same auction where I got a new-in-box JDS air scrubber for $85.  I spent $800 at that auction, and got most of it back re-selling the things I didn't need.

   I would like to have something for when I'm hand sanding, but I think a smaller box hooked up to my dust collector would probably work fine.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   ted | Apr 01, 2007 03:34am | #24

   Oh yeah and I also forgot to mention that I had the same problem with the switch. Before I started to disconnect things and looking to replace components I blew everything out with a little air made sure everything was tight. It solved the problem. For about three monthes and then I had the same problem again and ended up replacing the switch. No big deal, I just got a similar switch and hooked everything up on the new switch as it came off the old switch.

2. 
   forestgirl | Apr 01, 2007 06:04am | #26

   Yours has that 4-way switch then? (off,lo,med,hi)??  I've been assuming it is the switch because there are no "detents" to it, it just moves fluidly through the entire range.  Might I have been wrong??

   Any idea why they made the thing so darned big?  forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

3. 
   ted | Apr 01, 2007 09:58pm | #32

   I guess I missed something when looked at the pics you posted. The speed control is an accessory that the previous owner incorporated into the original design. You probably have a multispeed blower. So do I but I wired mine to run on high speed all the time so I have no need for a speed control. Sorry I can't be of more help.

2. 
   forestgirl | Mar 30, 2007 07:10pm | #5

   OK, found the pictures.  NOTE:  the full-body shot has a shadow in it that makes it look like an entire corner of the top is missing.  Not!  When I got this, I didn't have the number of tools, including dust collector, that I have now, so I felt like I had tons of space.  Now, I'm feelihng a little pinched.  It makes a good glue-up table with a sheet of Masonite laid across the top, though.

   View Image

   View Image

   View Image

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   Edited 3/30/2007 12:11 pm by forestgirl

1. 
   Elcoholic | Mar 31, 2007 12:55am | #7

   I've been thinking about building one of these.  What's the top made out of?  Does it provide enough grip so that you don't have to chase it around with the RO?John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 31, 2007 07:29pm | #17

   The top is 1/4" masonite with a zillion holes in it.  Not sure it was pegboard originally, as there are quite a few holes that aren't where they normally would be in pegboard.  Amazingly, he chamfered the top edge of each and every hole so the dust would slide down nicely.  As to grip, I don't know since I never got it running (above-mentioned switch problem).  Given the size of the blower in it, I'd think it'd grip pretty good.

   I use the rubber shelf-liner stuff when something wants to move around.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   cadiddlehopper | Mar 31, 2007 03:31am | #10

   FG:If you like the DD table (maybe it holds down your work), I suggest closing off most of the plenum thus creating a smaller plenum. You could attach your dust collection system to the smaller plenum, build storage into the free space, and use the blower for some other task or sell it. There is really no reason for such a huge plenum. I agree that collecting dust through the sander is probably more efficient also. In my own case, not all my sanders are equipped to do that and my DD table will hold work down effectively.Cadiddlehopper

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 31, 2007 07:32pm | #18

   Switching it over to the DC is a good idea, which I would adopt if I didn't make the rash decision yesterday to just take it out of the shop.  I'll put it in storage and see if anyone locally wants to buy either it or the blower alone.  I could cut the top down an make a portable DD table with it, I'll definitely scavange the casters!  Thanks, CDforestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Apr 01, 2007 02:56am | #22

   Selling it is probably the best idea. I have a Delta DD table. I decided that I would rather spend my time making furniture instead of more shop equipment. Rather than cannibilizing casters, making use of the whole table might turn out to be worthwhile.Cadiddlehopper

2. 
   mytulpa | Mar 30, 2007 01:11pm | #2

   jusst cut the wires and replace with a single pole (2way) switch. is it 120v. or 230v? you could wire in a remote starter to the receptacle. in answer to your question it does sound like overkill. (but what do i know?)

3. 
   Al from Unionville | Mar 30, 2007 07:33pm | #6

   Hi Forestgirl. I may have inadvertently sent you a partial message. Regardless, here I go again.
   You ask an interesting question. I have been thinking about how to control sanding dust. On the Ondeia web site under customer testimonials there is an example of a fairly large wooden hood that a customer created and positioned behind the work area on his lathe to catch the dust from sanding turnings. Apparently it worked well. I am going to try and contrust a similar hood that can sit on my workbench when required, attached to a 5" flex hose to the vacuum system ducting. When not in use I can store it underneath the workbench.

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 31, 2007 07:25pm | #16

   A hood is a good idea, one would think.  My storage shortage makes me hesitant to make one, though.  Another options is to make a smaller downdraft table, say 5" or 6" high, maybe 3.5' x 2.5', and hook that up to a dust collector.  I've seen commercial versions (Delta) and plans for shop-made ones.  Not sure which design (hood v. table) would work most effectively.

   One thing I thought would be an advantage to a solid downdraft table is that maybe the scroll saw could sit on it.  They make a mess of dust, and even with a collection fitting, it flies.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

4. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Mar 31, 2007 01:40am | #8

   IMHO, the downdraft table is a technological dinosaur.   A much better solution is to hook your sanders to a vacuum -- preferably one with a tool-triggered switch.   

   With well-designed sanders, the vacuum gets all the dust.  The vac eats much less power than that table.  The vac runs only when the sander is running, unlike the downdraft table.  The sander+vac solution is portable, so you can apply it to pieces of furniture too big for the downdraft table.

1. 
   xmike | Mar 31, 2007 04:09am | #11

   I say, Jamie,

   What sanders do you have in which the  vacuum attachment gets ALL the dust?  I have three sanders (actually 4, but one is a dinosaur) - a PC orbital, a Bosch palm sander, and a Makita palm sander.  Attaching a vacuum hose does help with the dust, but all three spew pretty good quantities into the surrounding air, none the less.

   Mike

   Edited 3/30/2007 9:11 pm ET by Mike_D

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Mar 31, 2007 08:23am | #14

   Mike, my current sander collection includes a 5" DeWalt ROS, a 6" Festool ROS, a Makita belt sander, and a PC quarter-sheet palm sander.  The first three connect to a Fein vac, and it gets all the dust.   The palm sander doesn't connect to the vac, but I only use it with 600-grit to knock down nits between finish coats, so the escaping dust doesn't matter. 

1. 
   xmike | Apr 01, 2007 02:01am | #21

   Thanks, Jamie,
   I've got to re look at my setup. I'd been considering building a downdraft table, too, since my shop shares the basement with the furnace and the family room, and sanding dust is a real pain.
   Mike

5. 
   BruceS | Mar 31, 2007 04:25am | #12

   How are you fixed for an air cleaner ?  If not your almost there !  A little cabinet modification,  a pleated bag filter and prefilter and you have an air cleaner.  That blower looks to be much better than the standard Jet or Delta air cleaner blowers.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   colebearanimals | Mar 31, 2007 07:00am | #13

   Great idea, Bruce. That is a massive blower.

    

                          Paul

2. 
   forestgirl | Mar 31, 2007 07:34pm | #19

   I've got a JDS air filter. Love it, except for the fact that the filter dimensions aren't perfect for a store-bought filter.  Got that at the same auction the DD table came from.  Love to gloat -- $85, new in box.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   BruceS | Mar 31, 2007 08:12pm | #20

   Go ahead and gloat,  I've stepped into some good deals also.  But still choking as far as an air cleaner.   But have a mobile home furnace with no heater, but blower is intact to which I will be adding two pleated bag filters and pre filters.Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

6. 
   ted | Apr 01, 2007 03:27am | #23

   Hey we have the same downdraft table. I think I built it from a set of Woodsmith plans about 6 years ago or so. The wiring and switches you refer to enable the user to plug the unit into a outlet. Bringing power to the switch pilot light and the receptacles. That way you can just plug the sander and vacuum into the table unit without having a bunch of extension cords going all over the place and having the ability to turn off the blower and vacuum simultaneously. The unit actually works fairly well for a shop built unit and in our shop it doubles as a work surface.
   I read a latter post that referred the unit as a dinosaur because plugging the sander into a vacuum is more efficient. The unit is actually really good for hand sanding operations and other procedures that create harmful and where a vacuum hookup isn't possible. The unit is also great as an air filter. Just leave it on and let the filters do their work.

7. 
   9619 | Apr 01, 2007 03:39am | #25

   Forestgirl,
   Sorry, I am not talented electronically, so I can't help you. But I have a suggestion, if you find a good electrician.
   Have him wire it up so that you can make the fan go both ways. That way, you can use it either as a downdraft table or you can play air hockey on it. :-)
   Good luck,
   Mel

   Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 01, 2007 06:06am | #27

   "or you can play air hockey on it. :-)"  Too funny!  I could use it as an infeed table for large sheets of plywood too -- cushion-of-air type thing!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   9619 | Apr 01, 2007 06:15am | #28

   Forestgirl,
   I may have helped, but you have just come up with the next BIG tool in woodworking -- the updraft table, which feeds large sheets of wood into any of your tools. It makes it possible for one person to operate as if a small group is there to help. I can see you now on the woodworking show circuit! If you increase the power of the downdraft capability, the table could also serve as your central vac with no piping needed. All of the dust within three blocks will be sucked down your table. You will be rich and famous.
   Have fun.
   MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot. 

1. 
   astro | Apr 01, 2007 02:59pm | #29

   Funny but kind of a nice idea. Anyone out there tried that hoverpad thingy that serves as a mobile base for tools?  Its the same concept. Maybe we should all be out there seeking out old air hockey tables to mount to our tablesaws...

    

   Rick

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 01, 2007 07:41pm | #30

   There was some talk about the hoverpad awhile back.  I think Tom (of Northwest Woodworkers' Fest fame) had some reservation about how things would handle should the floor be slanted.  Wheeeeeeee!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   forestgirl | Apr 01, 2007 07:44pm | #31

   With my luck, when I threw the switch, the top would blow off!  Yikes.

   A friend has offered to take a look at the switch.  If it's easy, I'll see if we can rig a reverse, try the "plywood flotation" idea out.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)