"charlie b" wrote in message
...
Xlat wrote:

I have seen the plans for sale from Rockler, and 1 or two "general"
information websites, but wondering if anyone has any links to
websites or businesses or people who have built one, pictures, plans,
etc...

The more information the better. Especially interested in hearing
from anyone who has actually built one, and what they thought, tips,
or more information there too.

I have a pretty heavy duty motor, steel industrial squirrel cage,
thinking about building a table but looking for some more tips or
experiences. Not looking to buy one built, or hear save your money,
so far I've got about nada in this, and planning on doing it!!
Thanks.

Remove the nospam from my address to email me!!

If you make it the right height it can be an air cleaner,
downdraft sanding table AND an outfeed table. Not a
set of plans but should be enough info to make one.

http://home.comcast.net/~charliebcz/CBAirCleaner.html

Used truck filters can be had for free - blow them out
from the inside and you're good to go.

charlie b

Xlat, I'm just finishing up my air cleaner/downdraft table/outfeed table. It
is based on charlie b's, so that's a good start. I really liked the idea of
the combination. But if you're really after only a downdraft table, you
could still get some good ideas here.

If the primary purpose is the sanding table, you might want to put some
effort into the design to determine what will make it perform well. Good
flow velocity through the top. How many openings in the top are required?
Does the shape of the openings make a difference? Sides that extend upwards
from the table top will make it better by containing the dust, and by
drawing air through a smaller area than a wide-open table, maintaining the
velocity.
Probably lots of things you could pick up just by looking at commercial
units.

Make it easy to clean and replace the filters. I had planned on having mine
completely screwed together and sealed, but changed that along the way and
fastened the blower chamber top with wedges, and sealed with
weather-stripping, so I can take that off easily and have total access to
the filters and blower.

Your access to final filters may be different. I couldn't find inexpensive
spa filters anywhere that looked like they had nearly enough filtering area.
I tried a couple of truck fleet garages, and both of them told me they
replace the filters only when they're clogged to a certain point. They
actually use a gauge and measure. Plus I really preferred to get something
where I'd have an idea of the filtering efficiency (as long as it didn't
cost a fortune).
I finally found my filter cartridges online at www.surpluscenter.com (no
affiliation). Discontinued Donaldson industrial dust collector cartridges
for $6.95. I bought 6 of them. The models that replaced these are 99.97%
efficient at 0.5 micron(!) with 60 sq.ft. of filtering area each, so the
discontinued ones should be close to these specs.

I hope to post some pics soon of my completed unit.