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I am setting up a dedicated area in my shop for spraying. I have an explosion proof wall exhaust fan and now want to build a plenum in front of the fan to house approx. six 20″ x 20″ paint arrestor filters to catch overspray. I want to build this box myself as buying a pre-manufactured unit is a little pricey.
My question is how to build an efficient, yet simple plenum which will allow the use of standard 20″ square filters. I am scratching my head on things like: 1) What is the best way to make the frames to house the filters so they can be easily changed? 2) Does the plenum need to constructed any certain way to get proper/evenly distributed air-flow through the fan?
I see where Grainger has filter frames, wire grids and rods to hold the filters, but this would be an investment, even for a unit my size. There must be an inexpensive way to get the job done.
Any of you who have done this? I would appreciate any comments/suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
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Hi Craig,
I have a suggestion that doesn't actually answer your question…
My shop mate and I went to our first auction the other day. A large local woodworking shop was going out of business. They had four high-end spray booths available and they couldn't get any bids. You could have gotten one for $1. And a buddy of mine out in Chicago picked up one used for less than $1000. I agree, no one but the big boys can afford to buy one of these puppies new. But check out the auctions. $1000 is certainly less than you could build the thing for. And you won't have to convince the fire inspector you knew what you were doing. ;-)
Wish I had the space….
Best,
Kim Carleton Graves
Carleton Woodworking
*You can build your plenum easily with metal studs and drywall. Metal furring strips should work to fold into arrestor frames. For me, at least, it was one of those things that took as long to figure out as it did to build.If you're not already committed to the arrestor filters, it's easier to make a single opening that accepts a length of paper mesh filter that's available on rolls. For example, my booth uses a piece that is 3' high by 6' long. I staple it to a wood framed opening, works great, and it's easy to get inside the plenum if I ever need to service the fan.
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