Today's
Sponsors:


Wood Doctor's Rx, LLC

Wood Technology Inc

Wood-Mizer

WoodCabinetDoors.Com

WoodenBoat

WoodFinder

WoodJobs.com Search Consultants

WoodLINKS

Woodmaster

WoodPlanet Inc.

WoodSprayGuns.com

WOODWEB

Woodworker's Supply/woodworker.com

Woodworker's Directory

Woodworking in America

Wright Timber

Specialtytools.com

Speed Sander

Spink Lumber

Sprayguncaptain.com

Stefani

Steve H. Wall Lumber Co.

Stiles Machinery

Stiles Shop Solutions

Stoneys Hardwoods

Super Source Tooling Inc.

Supergrit Abrasives

Superior Wood Products

T-Tool USA LLC

Target Coatings

TaylorCraft Cabinet Door Company

Techno CNC Routers

Template Services

The Veneer Store

Thermwood Corporation

Tiger Wood Ltd.

TigerStop

TigerwoodDecking.com

TimberKing

Timesavers Inc.

TMS Machinery Sales

Tomlin Architectural Millwork

Tooling on the Web

Toolstoday.com

Top Drawer

Touch Up Solutions LLC

Tractivity

TradeJobPlacement.com

TradeSoft

Trakware Systems Inc.

TRB Flooring Company

Tropical Hardwoods

True North Cedar

Ubidmachinery Inc.

UC Coatings Corp.

Unique Building Supples

Unique Machine & Tool

University of Wisconsin

UWMO Auctions

VacDry Kilns

Vacuum Pressing Systems, Inc.

Vacuumpods.com

Valspar

Vecoplan LLC

Vector Art 3D

Vectric Ltd.

Veneer Systems Inc.

Vintage Beams and Timbers

Vintage Wood Products

VortexTool Co. Inc.

VyTek

W. Moore Profiles, Ltd.

W.L. Fuller

Wagner Electronic Products

WalzCraft Industries

WEIMA America, Inc.

Weinig Group - USA

Western Dovetail

Williams and Hussey

Wisconsin Knife Works

WMIA

WMMA




Down-Draft Table Details       Specific advice on table hole size and spacing, ducting, and filters for an effective down-draft sanding table. March 4, 2009

Question
I just completed a downdraft table. I'd like to know what the optimum table hole size is. I took the easy way out and bought a sheet of plastic peg board from Lowes - 1/4" diameter holes on 1" centers. It seems to work okay, but I need some feedback before making the holes larger.

Forum Responses
(Dust Collection Forum)
From contributor T:
My homemade downdraft table has 1" holes in 3/4" MDF, chamfered on both sides. Use good filters or you will create a dust pump! I like low micron felt bags and use 8 of them in my table. Furnace filters don't cut it.

Your dust collector may not be pulling enough volume. Dust collectors maximize air speed in the ducts to carry large chips. I use an HVAC type blower with a 1 hp motor, standard mount on top. They are designed for volume. It draws about 2400 cfm. The holes are about 1" and are chamfered on both sides. I have made custom clamps and bench dogs that fit my holes. The table is also used as an assembly table, as my shop is small. Heavy sanding or routing still creates dust, but it is cleared out in a minute or so.

This table is left on all day to continuously filter the shop air. My blower box is in the basement, so exhaust air is not a problem. You will need to think about that - it's a steady blast! Consider trying to create a circular air flow across your shop by the use of large ducts. The more filter area you use, the better the filtration and air flow.

Mine are small dust collector bags of the finest quality. Stay away from cheap bags, as they let the most damaging dust (the super fine stuff) pass through, and in fact make things worse! The bags are stapled and caulked into large holes in a sealed panel under the top.

I could have used a larger blower with a 1 1/2 hp or larger motor but I am trying to be cheap with the electricity! A 2-speed larger motor would be ideal.

I have a cyclone dust collector for all the machines. When the filter bags in the table need cleaning, I use a flex hose attached to the cyclone. This is best done with the table on to keep the bags stretched fully open. My helper cleans it about once a week.

The blower box in the basement.

The top.

Tilting top.



Would you like to add information to this article?
Interested in writing or submitting an article?
Have a question about this article?


Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?
  • KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base

  • KnowledgeBase: Dust Collection, Safety, Plant Management

  • KnowledgeBase: Dust Collection, Safety, Plant Management: General




    Would you like to add information to this article? ... Click Here

    If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to
    review our Forum Guidelines.

    Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.

    When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.

    Return to beginning of article.



    Refer a Friend || Read This Important Information || Site Map || Privacy Policy || Site User Agreement

    Letters, questions or comments? E-Mail us and let us know what you think. Be sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions page.

    Contact us to discuss advertising or to report problems with this site.

    To report a problem, send an e-mail to our Webmaster

    Copyright © 1996-2009 - WOODWEB ® Inc.
    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor.
    Review WOODWEB's Copyright Policy.

    The editors, writers, and staff at WOODWEB try to promote safe practices. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk.

    WOODWEB, Inc.
    RR4 Box 265A
    Montrose, PA 18801

    Contact WOODWEB













  •   Home » Knowledge Base » Knowledge Base Article