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Downdraft Sanding Table
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=22271		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Tue May 05, 2009 11:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Downdraft Sanding Table
Inspired by Joe White's excellent professional sanding table as well as the tutorial that Mario posted some time ago, I finally built one. Check out the following pics:

The 1/2" top features 405 half-inch holes over the span of 24" x 40".

Attachment:
Downdraft Table Front.jpg


The filters are 20" x 20" x 2". I currently have Merv 7 filters but will be replacing them with Merv 13 that are capable of filtering down to 0.3 microns.

Attachment:
Downdraft Table Filters.jpg


I used a standard 1/2 HP furnace motor with a squirrel cage fan. The draw at the table top is significant and after being filtered the air exits at the bottom.

Attachment:
Downdraft Table Motor & Fan.jpg


So I plugged it in and sanded a few items and noticed a signigicant difference in the air quality in the room. I'm looking forward to turning it on for a few hours while I purposely disturb all of the dust lying around and really cleaning up the place. Stay tuned!
Author:  LiquidGabe [ Tue May 05, 2009 11:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
Thanks JJ. I'm gettin' tired o' the brown boogies and I've got a squirrel cage that is just waiting to be used.
Author:  Rod True [ Tue May 05, 2009 11:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
Right on JJ. That will also make a great secondary work bench if you add a removable top/cover to it.

Nice job [:Y:]
Author:  Todd Rose [ Wed May 06, 2009 4:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
That looks great, JJ.

Rather than having its own fan/motor and filter(s), my downdraft table hooks up to my dust collector. Just another way to go about it that I thought I'd mention for others contemplating building one.

Also, rather than building a dedicated unit, I built mine in to the top of one of my workbenches, a big old thing I got for next to nothing from a furniture maker friend who wanted it out of his shop. The top was in very bad shape, so I added a layer of plywood onto it, and in the process, I cut out a rectangular section of the old top and built a simple chute of sorts with a dust port at the bottom. The new plywood top then has a corresponding section that's drilled with a slew of holes. It works great.
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Wed May 06, 2009 8:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
My rationale for having a separate unit is to incorporate filtration that captures the smaller particles that pass right through standard dust collection systems and my goal was to have the ability to clean out the entire room of such particulate either during or after a work session.
Author:  Bobc [ Wed May 06, 2009 12:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
Very nice JJ. Gotta make one of them.
Author:  Todd Rose [ Wed May 06, 2009 2:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
JJ, just to be clear, I don't mean to criticize your approach at all, just to mention alternatives.

In that spirit, one could also build a table much like yours, with the filters, and still connect it to a dust collector - just to allow the dust collector to be what moves the air. Or, leave the filters out of the table and use a dust collector with a filter that catches the tiny particles, which one ought to be using on other machines anyway.

Again, not to knock the self-contained complete unit deal like yours. In my case, I just figured, well, I already have the dust collector, so...
Author:  John Kinnaird jr [ Wed May 06, 2009 4:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
Nice job JJ. I've GOT to make one of those. A dust free shop would be such a splendid thing.
Thanks for the photos

John
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Wed May 06, 2009 9:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
Amen! That's inspiring, JJ.
Thanks!

Steve
Author:  ChuckH [ Thu May 07, 2009 9:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
JJ,
That's pretty freakin' awesome. I have an old squirrel cage sitting out in the pole barn. When I get off active duty I'm going to have to make one of these.

Isn't it funny how we sign everything we make now. I've been doing that and putting a date on it too. Cool beans man.

Hutch out.
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Thu May 07, 2009 9:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
ChuckH wrote:
JJ,

Isn't it funny how we sign everything we make now.

Hutch out.


Yeah, Hutch...some of us have evolved from chemically marking our territory by the old leg lift on the corner of the jig. That's why you always gotta be careful when you buy used equipment! <BSEG>

BTW...hurry back from active duty, Sarge. And many thanks for your continued service!
Author:  D. Ramsey [ Sun Dec 19, 2010 12:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
Hey JJ
I'm getting ready to build my downdraft table and was wondering now that you
have used it awhile what would you change?

How tall did you make it? Is it comfortable for your height?
Have the filters worked out well? Would you change to a slide out system?

Thanks for any input

Dennis
Author:  Billy T [ Sun Dec 19, 2010 3:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
Great idea JJ!! Turn on the sanding table and mix up the air in the shop to let the table trap it! I got a huge industrial furnace fan waiting to be turned into something! Huhm!!

JJ Donohue wrote:
Yeah, Hutch...some of us have evolved from chemically marking our territory by the old leg lift on the corner of the jig.


Not me!!
Call me old fashioned! :D
Author:  Kim [ Sun Dec 19, 2010 4:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
Billy T wrote:
JJ Donohue wrote:
Yeah, Hutch...some of us have evolved from chemically marking our territory by the old leg lift on the corner of the jig.


Not me!!
Call me old fashioned! :D



Tee hee hee ..good to hear I'm not alone Billy [:Y:] :lol:

Nice set up JJ...you have cleverly made many of us feel the urge to spend even more. Its hard to argue against good sense.

Cheers

Kim
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Sun Dec 19, 2010 8:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
D. Ramsey wrote:
Hey JJ
I'm getting ready to build my downdraft table and was wondering now that you
have used it awhile what would you change?

How tall did you make it? Is it comfortable for your height?
Have the filters worked out well? Would you change to a slide out system?

Thanks for any input

Dennis


I'm 6' tall and the height (including wheels) is 37". I find it a more comfortable height than the 35" that is one of my other benches. I have taken some of my guitar holding cradles and sanding fixtures and keep them in place with 1/2" dowels that fit into the table top.

The filters are fine as is. Since they keep the interior of the box clean, I have taken to storing some of the bulky shop items inside. Just make sure you remember where you put them. DAMHIKT

I often just let the unit run for a few hours and allow it to clean out the shop. One problem is that it is so quiet that I have forgotten it was left on. I hope to find a circuit timer in my Christmas Stocking along with the requisite lumps of coal!
Author:  D. Ramsey [ Sun Dec 19, 2010 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
Thanks ... I'll make sure the timer gets added to mine during initial build [:Y:]
Author:  Terry Stowell [ Sun Dec 19, 2010 12:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
maybe I missed it in my cursory reading, but a pre-filter would be a handy addition.
Author:  Bob Shanklin [ Sun Dec 19, 2010 12:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
JJ

Very nice setup. [:Y:] Just curious JJ, do you clean or replace your filters and how frequently.

Thanks in advance,
Bob
Author:  D. Ramsey [ Sun Dec 19, 2010 1:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
Terry Stowell wrote:
maybe I missed it in my cursory reading, but a pre-filter would be a handy addition.


Yea, I'm thinking of a washable polyester type that might catch most of the dust and be easily cleaned.
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Sun Dec 19, 2010 1:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
bobalou95 wrote:
JJ

Very nice setup. [:Y:] Just curious JJ, do you clean or replace your filters and how frequently.

Thanks in advance,
Bob


I take them outside and slap them around when they get so dirty that I can't see the filter media....and then vacuum them. Pay attention to the wind direction. :D I probably should clean them more frequently but the suction always seems to be adequate.

I replaced them after a year and lots of sanding projects only because I thought it was time. I never thought a pre-filter was necessary since most of the particulate I generate would go through most screens. If I had chips or other debris, I guess it might make sense.
Author:  Darryl Young [ Sun Dec 19, 2010 5:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Downdraft Sanding Table
Nice setup JJ.

Any ratings on your fan? We recently replaced our JennAir range that had a downdraft in the center of the range. So I could use the squirrel cage from the old unit for something like this in the future. Also thought about using on a makeshift paint booth. Not sure if it's stonge enough for either application.
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