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Air filtration systems

Damon McLaughlin

Damon McLaughlin

Joined
Jan 16, 2017
Messages
307
Likes
415
Location
Eastern Washington
I have a relatively small shop, good dust collection and almost always wear my respirator. I currently have a small air filtration system that does up to 400 cfm. Some time this year I would like to double the size of my shop from 190 sq feet to about 390 square feet which means my current air filter will be too small. I am considering getting a second 400cfm unit but I would rather have one larger unit.

My issue is which unit to go with so I was wondering, for those that have an air filtration system, what you are using and if you're happy with it.

Right now I'm considering;

Powermatic PM1200, I like that is has a cleanable inner filter but its an expensive unit, and to add the cleanable outer filter is an additional $55.

Jet - Description also states it has an cleanable inner filter and is about $50 less than the Powermatic which would cover the cost of a reusable outer filter.

Supermax - Priced just under the Jet, comes with a reusable outer filter and I like that it has an air flow gauge on the side so you can see when its time to change/clean the filters but these never seem to be available.

Powertec and Rikon both have inexpensive units that do around 1000 cfm, are around $269 but are they just as good as the more expensive units?

I have COPD and asthma so keeping the air as clean as possible, even when wearing a respirator, is important to me. Thanks for any feedback on what you are using and your thoughts about the above units.
 
I have a older (20 yr) JDS and like it but not near as powerful as the Jet I bought last year. Did a lot of looking ,even JDS new models, before deciding on the Jet and have not regretted it Plenty of power with 3 speeds and the timer is great. That filter it comes with if phenomenal.
 
The air cleaner is important, but you can do alot with point source collection.
A dust/chip collector with a high quality canister filter can eliminate a lot of dust, and not put it back into the air.
A downdraft table can also help with hand sanding off of the lathe.
You might not need a new filter, just let the old one run longer.
 
Last year I bought this Wen air filter system and it works very good. Keeps the air clean and no dust buildup on other tools. I have just expended my basement woodshop and going to buy another Wen air filter for the other side of the shop. The Wen filter has 3 speeds and a timer to run the filter after you leave the shop and cut off at the time you set either 1,2,or 3 hours.IMG_0164.JPG
 
I have the Jet 1000b. Between that and the DC it keeps the shop fairly clean. They usually go on sale on Black Friday. I got mine for 279.00 via Amazon.
 
Thank you everyone for your replies. I apologize for not commenting sooner but I've been so busy at the Symposium that I'm just now finding time to sit down and get online. I looks like the Jet is the way to go and even after talking with the JPW reps at the symposium they also said that the Jet was the most popular model over the Powermatic. I am still at least four months away from getting a larger shop and with some of my newly acquire items today I might just be six months away from a new shop :-) I will definitely keep the Jet in mind when the next sale happens closer to black friday. Thank you again for your input!
 
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