rdatelle Posted June 24, 2016 Report Share Posted June 24, 2016 Hi everyone. I have a question for you all. I just read somewhere that you can set up a box fan with a AC filter taped to the back and it will act like a dust collector. Has anyone done this and if so, I'm not sure how that would work. I thought the fan would blow all the dust around unless the fan sucks in and doesn't blow out. Am I missing something here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredfret Posted June 24, 2016 Report Share Posted June 24, 2016 I have 2 filters on the input side and nothing on the output side gets most but not all of the dust. I also keep it clean by using a vac every few hours. Yes it blows the dust that goes thru the filter and any airborne dust around but most is trapped in the filter. Fredfret Wichita, ks WayneMahler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted June 24, 2016 Report Share Posted June 24, 2016 Like Fred said , filter on the input side, air pulled through the filter....This does help. WayneMahler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted June 24, 2016 Report Share Posted June 24, 2016 Here is what I have. It works good enough to be worth the effort and investment. Does not catch all the dust but a large amount. The filter is on the air intake side. WayneMahler and New Guy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvman44 Posted June 24, 2016 Report Share Posted June 24, 2016 I have 2 box fans with filters on the input side, works great. WayneMahler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdatelle Posted June 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2016 Thanks guys, I'll have to give that a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldhudson Posted June 24, 2016 Report Share Posted June 24, 2016 (edited) I've used the one pictured for years. I think it's a huge help and not nearly as costly as the ceiling hung units for Jet and other suppliers. Two filters on the input side. You see I made a little box to hold the units so I don't have to fiddle with tape. I have another fan that I tape a filter to and mount in an open window when I spray paint. This unit I'm using this week on a remodel job. It's great when working with sheetrock, mud and tape. Here's a video of a neat box fan build Edited June 25, 2016 by oldhudson Old Joe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvman44 Posted June 24, 2016 Report Share Posted June 24, 2016 I don't use tape either. I mounted a piece of PVC trim across the top & bottom of the fan with zip ties and just slide the filter in/out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdatelle Posted June 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2016 I like all your ideas. The box frame and the pic along the top and bottom. I'm in my garage and no windows. How close to you do you have to put the fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldhudson Posted June 25, 2016 Report Share Posted June 25, 2016 My shop is pretty small (12 x 14) and I just leave it on the window sill as pictured, turn it on full, and leave it run if I'm making dust and about 5-10 minutes after I quick. You don't need a window for it to work. I use the open window when painting so the overspray and VOC's gets pulled from the air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted June 25, 2016 Report Share Posted June 25, 2016 If you don't have air conditioning to worry about having a window fan suck everything out is best.I used to sit in front of a ac intake (central and with paper pleated filters nothing traveled in the house.If you can get a squirrel cage 110volt fan and box it up to your 20" x20"plated paper filter you will not see any dust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky2 Posted June 25, 2016 Report Share Posted June 25, 2016 Ralph, I use the box fan and filter system, it does a pretty good job of collecting dust. I have it sitting about 12" from the saw, that's where it seems to work best. Len Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted June 25, 2016 Report Share Posted June 25, 2016 Has worked well for me. And use it to this day. I will say get a better box fan, the cheaper ones don't hold up as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Joe Posted June 25, 2016 Report Share Posted June 25, 2016 (edited) I bought a ceiling mounted dust collector from Grizzly a couple of months ago because it was on sale for just over $100. It's 3 speed with a timer and remote control. It has made a dramatic difference in my small shop.The Grizzly fan is exactly the same unit as packaged and sold by numerous other companies by different names for considerably more dough.The box fan is a good alternative to doing nothing, though the filters on most factory made units are duel filters that have finer filtration capabilities. Edited June 25, 2016 by Old Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdatelle Posted June 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2016 Well thanks again for all the advice. I ordered my box fan yesterday from amazon. I love the video of the wood stand but I don't know if I want to go through that trouble. I see how it goes once I start using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronx Posted June 26, 2016 Report Share Posted June 26, 2016 Great idea folks. Now I can save my lungs for cigars....lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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