Microclene.....etc

[John Saxton]

With the ever increasing awareness that fine dust within the workshop effects electrical equipment,becomes a fire hazard,and has the ability to incur a boxed up penalty in regards to your health,is there out there among all you healthy w/workers anyone has so far had any experience with these new available Microclene airborne dust filtering systems?
I visited their web-site at www.microclene.com (http://www.microclene.com) but there is very little info in regards to term maintenance,running costs ie power,replacement filters etc.
Knowing of the UNBIASED http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/tongue.gif views available on this BB it would be good to hear from you if have one of these in place.
Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Johnno

[Iain]

Had a look at the site and the 1200 looks good for an extra $20.00. Got a hell of a shock with the price though but I feel that one would not go astray in my place. At present I am only using a vacuum cleaner attached to some tools but on the rare occassion I do use a lathe I find that some woods generate a hell of a lot opf dust, King Billy is a classic example. I have seen these units on US posts and in US mags and I wopnder if it would be cheaper to bring it in yourself bearing in mind that the landed cost is going to be US$ x 2.5 approx to cover tariffs taxes and all thoise other wonderful things.
Is there a local unit? Maybe worth looking into, I may steam up my search engine and have a look around www.northernlight.com (http://www.northernlight.com)

[Woodchuck2]

Hi John,
I've just installed a Jet AFS1000 from Gregory Machinery in Brisbane.For around $400 you get a three-speed 2, 4 or 8 hour timer and remote control and it's very quiet.
As to maintenance, running costs and efficiency I can't vouch. Filters are available and Jet's quality control is apparently spot on. Only time will tell.
Cheers
Chas Welman

[Iain]

Found a source of one filter from GPW (gary Pye). I think it is a Jet and the model number is CTI 150 and it sells for $350.00, this was pre GST so there could be some variation. There is a remote switxch for $45.00. The units moves 510cfm and is ceiling mounted and has 5 micron filtering.
I have dealt with Gary Pye for sometime now and I can vouch for his honesty and integrity he is good to do business with and I am also aware that he will be attending the Working with Wood in Melbourne in October. If you are coming over for this, just a quick bike ride away, you may save some more dollars with a show special.
Gary or Janine can be contacted on 02 66215040 or Fax 0266215186. The address is Gary Pye Woodturning Supplies, PO Box 5223 East Lismore NSW 2480.
I do not know if he has an Email or a web site but he carries Jet products. Give him a call anyway and get his catalogue, he is well priced on most products.
Just spoke with Gary and he is out of stock at the moment but has more coming in soon and a 1000cfm unit. He is currently building a web site but can be Emailed on [email protected]

[This message has been edited by Iain (edited 28 August 2000).]

[John Saxton]

Iain,Chas,thank you for your informative responses which is what you always get on this BB and might I add without the usual sales brouhaha like that given by Tool Sellers!!
Unfortunately as I am not doing the Melbourne experience this year I will try my local Jet bloke Iain,Chas,to see how he compares but very likely litle difference.I think there was an expos'e on these in the Aust WW Mag some time back.....I just haven't been able to locate which one yet.

Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Johnno

[This message has been edited by John Saxton (edited 28 August 2000).]

[Rod Smith]

Hi Johno
I'm not sure about the worth of this type of unit. Expert opinion says that dust is best collected at the source, and of course we all know that, but there is often dust floating around from sanding and whatever. What I have done, with reasonable success is install a fan blowing air out of a window and have an opening for fresh air to enter from the opposite end of the workshop. Seems to me that this configeration may more easily create the air flow necesarry to clear the air. It certainly is a cheapre option. As I say though, I have no experience with the hanging units, they may work well, just some thoughts? I worked it out and reckon that 1200 m3 per hour is about 700cfm, doesn't seem very much, but then again it doesn't have to carry chips either. Anyway, enough waffling.
See ya, Rod

PS I have also read where people have made their own unit using a fan and some furnace filter.

[Iain]

Rod, I see your point but the dust is generally not picked up at the source and I would dearly love one of these units that capture the dust that can float around for literally hours, it is the very fine dust we are talking about, a fan, I think, would disturb what is alying around and create a nice cold draught to work in on these beautiful warm 12 degree Melbourne days. To pull out the really fine particals from the air would have to be of a benefit to your health and I know that I can still put a savage stain in my handkerechief after bandsawing redgum WITH a dust collector on, my scroll saw also generates a signifcant amount of fine dust which is invisible until nose blow time. The fan may work but I think it would just stir things up. Just my 2.2cents worth including GST.

[Shane Watson]

Just on another note Rod, While your system is great and has been used for years...unfortunatly in todays society we have to be careful what we allow out our windows... If Mr EPA ( environmental protection authority ) was walking by and saw dust flying out your window like that, he may just get out his little infrigement book... yukky.... http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/frown.gif

Bit to the extreme, but I have seen it happen... Best to be aware of what may happen.

Cheers


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Shane Watson..

Combine Love & Skill & You Can Expect A Masterpiece!

[John Saxton]

Hey Rod, I know where you're coming from,in the early day's and when I started out turnin' I had a fan set up at the end of the lathe to blow away the dust when I was sandin' and cheap it might of been I mean the mother-inlaw bought it but the bloody thing worked and still does.But as everyone knows her indoors won't bring your cuppa out if 1. she has to contend with dust and 2.If she has to put up with your wind during the day as well as night.It's when you get downright into boogying with the orbital sander that hasn't got an attachment to the dust extractor that leaves them little ol' dusties a hangin' around and when you're over the hill http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/tongue.gif like a few others around who shall remain anonymous but you know who I mean then you just gotta do sumpin 'bout it.

Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Johnno

[Iain]

Over the hill, hoo dat?, wind day and night?
Day...fan, night...pizza and beer!
I have only heard this from other sources and wife does not complain. http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/wink.gif http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/wink.gif http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/wink.gif

[John Saxton]

I implore all of you folk out there in WW land (and I don't want to tell you folk how to suck eggs)to not put a price on your health.
A windfall that we thought we had has mostly dissipated with medical costs http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/mad.gif
In the early days this is what I did to my own misfortune that I now have to spend more getting my shop to a healthy environment!
Given that we all love the medium we adhere to or we wouldn't be subscribing to this BB I can only re-iterate that if you in any way can find a means of doing so, then try and make every attempt to make your shop as dust free as possible.
Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif


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Johnno

[John Saxton]

Just a further post to say a BIG ta to Chas,and Iain for pointing me in the direction and leading me and my Visa astray once again.

I now have a fine dust air filtration system at $395.00 with at least two separate filters one the first filters to 5 microns for 99% of all particles whilst the second filters to 1 micron in size to 85% of all particles and can do an area of a 6m x 6m area in under 5 minutes.

It has a remote 3 speed 3 stage timer function that can be set as soon as you step into your workshop,if it can do what it is supposedly capable of then I'll be happy.

Had to resort to shoutin' er indoors out for a slap-up nosh up and a couple o' tickets to Johnny Farnham in Perth (I think she came off better out of the deal than I did)to get her around to my way of thinkin' but hey guy's it worked!
Cheers stay happy and dust free http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Johnno

[This message has been edited by John Saxton (edited 24 September 2000).]

[John Saxton]

Another further post with a breakdown on some of the features between the two cheapest systems around that may be of interest to some

Jet ASF1OOO Microclene MC400
cost $395.00 $560.00

Area coverage
6x6x2metres filtered 5x3x2.5 metres atleast
up to at least 12 10 times per hour
times in an hour

Mounting;
May be ceiling or bench May be ceiling or wall mounted mounted

Speed option
Yes 3 No

Timer function No
Yes 2,4 or increments of
hours

Filters Long life filter
2....1 5micron 1secondary
1micron

Power consumption for both models unknown.
Whilst there are undoubtedly good features for both it begs the question of costs in terms of need/employment/filter replacement and overall value to health.
I have made my choice for the main part due to the fact that I couldn't find a Microclene to visibly and physically compare with the other.Although I may be better off financially with the Jet model it remains to be seen as how they would compare with extremely fine dust removal.
Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Johnno

[This message has been edited by John Saxton (edited 29 September 2000).]

[John Saxton]

Apologies for the way the above post came out.It didn't look like that when I wrote it out.
But basically the Jet came out ahead of the Micreclene(in my view)in price,availability,and with the dual filters which are washable.
Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Johnno