dust collector suggestions

[retire2$]

Thinking of building a dust collector for my garage/workshop. Would a collector with a filter on the side, bottom, and end be better than a single filter opening in regards to efficency, vacuum, velocity? Do you have any plans for shop built dust collectors? My current plan is to make the box out of 3/4 inch plywood with a squirrel fan from a forced air furnace. The dust collector would be used for filtering the air in the garage and not so much for collecting wood chips from wood working tools.

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions/comments.

[OkieDavid]

I've seen them as you describe where they are made out of a plywood box and utilize the same system as a forced air unit. The fan sits inside the box and discharges out through the wall. The inlet uses the same opening and filters from a forced air unit. For a garage application I would stick with one of the plastic fiber filters that you just hose off to clean rather than the "replace once a month" interior home ones.

[mdharris68]

When using the blower from a furnace, you should build the thing, and then find what the amp draw is of the motor. To reduce amps, permanantly cover the air discharge side once you find the correct amp draw. This will give the motor a better chance of longevity.

Are you discharging the air outside or recirculating in the garage? If discharging, dont wast time with filters. If recirculating, use good pleated filters, or as the other suggestion, washable filters. The ones I have seen that are factory made, filter on three sides of the box and hang from chains above head height.

[Travis in Louisiana]

I am thinking here, if you just discharge the air from the garage to the out side, you may have to provide an opening to allow air in so as not to cause a vaccum on the garage. It depends on how tight your garage is. My two cents.