Home » Knowledge Base » Knowledge Base Article What's New  |  Site Map 

 

 
   
   
 
 


Today's
Sponsors:


Tractivity

TradeSoft

Trakware Systems Inc.

TRB Flooring Company

Tropical American Tree Farm

Tropical Hardwoods

Turtle Sun Woodshop

Twin Oaks Mill

UC Coatings Corp.

Unique Machine & Tool

University of Wisconsin

UWMO Auctions

Vacuum Pressing Systems, Inc.

Vacuumpods.com

Vecoplan LLC

Vector Art 3D

Vectric Ltd.

Veneer Systems Inc.

Veneer Technologies Inc.

Vintage Perkins

VortexTool Co. Inc.

VyTek

W. Moore Profiles, Ltd.

W.L. Fuller

Wadkin North America

Wagner Electronic Products

WalzCraft Industries

Webb Abrasives

WEIMA America, Inc.

Weinig Group - USA

Western Dovetail

Williams and Hussey

Wisconsin Knife Works

WMIA

WMMA

Wood and Wood Products

Wood Doctor's Rx, LLC

Wood Tech Enterprises, Inc.

Wood Technology Inc

Wood-Mizer

Wood-Ply Lumber Corp.

WoodCabinetDoors.Com

Woodcraft Supply Corp.

WoodcraftPlans.com

WoodenBoat

WoodFinder

WoodJobs.com Search Consultants

Woodland Dimension Products

WoodLINKS

Woodmaster

WoodPlanet Inc.

WOODWEB

Woodworker's Supply/woodworker.com

Woodworker's Directory

Wright Timber

SK-USA

SlipCon USA, Inc.

SoCalMachinery.com

South State Machinery

South Texas Moulding

Southeast Tool, Inc.

Specialtytools.com

SprayGunWorld.com

Stairguy Stairbuilding Videos

Stefani

Steve H. Wall Lumber Co.

Stiles Machinery

Stiles Shop Solutions

Stor-N-Fold Systems

Super Source Tooling Inc.

Supergrit Abrasives

Surface and Panel Magazine

Target Coatings

Techno CNC Routers

Template Services

Teragren

The Cayce Company

The Reclaimer

The Veneer Store

Thermwood Corporation

TigerStop

TigerwoodDecking.com

TimberKing

Timesavers Inc.

TMS Machinery Sales

Tongass Forest Enterprises

Tooling on the Web

Toolstoday.com

Touch Up Solutions LLC



WOODWEB DISCLAIMS any and all RESPONSIBILITY and LIABILITY for the accuracy and application of the information below. Readers agree to evaluate the significance and limitations of the information provided, and accept full responsibility for the application of this information. Read More ...

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



Shop-Built Down-Draft Table Ideas       Woodworkers discuss ways to build your own down-draft sanding table. December 14, 2005

Question
A downdraft table can't be that hard to make, and there must be a good plan available somewhere. I know the argument about making something else, selling it, and then buying the down draft table, but if you buy with after tax dollars, at a price tag of $1495 plus freight and up, plus 25% in taxes, it seems it might be worth the effort to build it. I suspect there is something I don't know about the design of the tables. If anyone knows of a good plan or design to build one, or has some opinions on why it may be foolish to build one, please inform me.

Forum Responses
(Cabinetmaking Forum)
From contributor A:
I have also thought of making one. One thought I did have while sanding a while back was, instead of a down-draft, why not an up-draft, somewhat of a hood design?



From contributor B:
I bought a salvaged squirrel cage fan from a Coleman furnace (mobile home type) from a local HVAC company. It is a three speed and moves a lot of air. I built a frameless base cab on casters, mounted the fan blowing out the front, and closed off the rest of the front. I screwed cleats, 1" square to set the filter on, and sized cab to fit filters. I used 20 x 25. The lowest was a small micron job with a cheaper one on top then a grid of 1/4” hardboard above that. It took two hours or less to build. I run mine all the time as a cooling fan and ambient air cleaner.


From contributor C:
I have used a number of shop-made sanding tables, but I've never actually built one. I seem to recall they were just tied into the shop dust collection system with an upside down hood. Instead of holes in the table, one place had a latticework top with the tops of the upper rails padded with carpet to prevent scratching. Your idea, although imaginative, may not work. You'd have to have a fan underneath, blowing up, to overcome the natural effect of gravity. Then, your hood would have to pull a ferocious vacuum or the dust would be all over the shop.


From the original questioner:
Rockler offers a kit for this. I strongly prefer to build mine with a Leeson or Baldor motor. I suspect they use an impeller, like on a dust collection system. I have also seen the squirrel cage used.


From contributor E:
I’m a woodshop teacher in a high school and I had students build one in our shop and it works great. The link below takes you to the plans that we used and modified to meet our needs. It sounds a lot like what contributor B described. Just get in touch with a local HVAC shop and you can probably get a used blower pretty cheap. Related Web Site: Downdraft Sanding Table


From contributor F:
I do not understand your statement about buying with after tax dollars - plus the 25% taxes. I buy tools with before tax dollars, write them off and save on average 1/3 of the intial cost on income taxes. That makes my $1495 plus $110 shipping, table cost about $1100 after taxes.


From the original questioner:
To contributor F: Perhaps I am wrong or perhaps part wrong. You save by writing it off but you are still paying for the item with after tax dollars. The $1605 didn't make it in your pocket free and clear.


From contributor G:
I built one similar to the one contributor E mentioned, using a free blower from HVAC friend. The only modification I eventually made was to take out the filters and have the blower output going to a shuttered vent from Grainger. Now the stuff simply blows outside, with no cleaning of filters.
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

    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 © 1996-2008 - 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