Pianotech

  • 1.  Air Filtration System Recomendations

    Member
    Posted 06-01-2018 21:00
    Hello All,

    I've been tasked with researching air filtration systems for the "shop" that I work in.  I put "shop" in quotes because it's not exactly a traditional shop space, as there are no power tools to create sawdust.  It's kind of a combination showroom/shop space.  The dust that we are looking to filter from the air is primarily hammer filing dust which gets all over the place such as damper heads, piano lids, and my irritated pores.

    Have you any recommendations for air filtration/dust removal systems that filter the ambient air and would work well in an approx. 1500 square foot space?  A quiet system would be a plus, but considering we can just turn it off and on, it's not imperative.

    Any thoughts about your experiences with these systems are highly appreciated.  Thank you for your time!

    Best,

    Luke

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    Luke Taylor
    North Hollywood, CA
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  • 2.  RE: Air Filtration System Recomendations

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-02-2018 14:17
    Luke,

    I cannot speak to room air filtration systems, however these days, when filing hammers, I have devised a reasonably simple (though not perfect) system of using my shop vac to suck up the vast majority of the felt filings so I am no longer bothered by them.

    The only bother is the sound of the shop vac running for the duration of the job, so I need to use ear protection. It's a trade off I'm willing to make.

    Maybe one day I'll get a set of noise canceling muffs that I can listen to music with too. I prefer filing hammers listening to either jazz, Manhattan Transfer, or orchestral classics. Jazz makes me move faster and keeps my concentration going.

    Sorry I can't answer your question though. 

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Air Filtration System Recomendations

    Posted 06-03-2018 10:19
      |   view attached
    As Peter Grey suggested, if your only source of dust is occasional hammer filing, the most simple and effective method would be to use a shop vac to capture the dust directly from the source. What I do is use some sort of attachment method to secure the end of the vac hose to the action near where I am filing. I have used an assortment of contraptions - rubber bands, music wire, string, etc. - just something to hold the end of the vac near where you are creating the felt dust. I find that I can capture pretty much all of it that way.

    Another method would be to build an air filter yourself. Just do a Google search and you will find all sorts of examples of home-made filters. I have little doubt that many of them work as well as an expensive professionally made air filter.

    And then of course is the next step - just go out and buy a power air filter. Here is a good place to start - some basic information along with a couple links to more specific info on the topic. Hmmmmm, well, for some reason, I can't paste a URL here. I was looking at a page from Rockler "Woodshop Air Filtration".

    Another thing you can do - again, if you are only producing a little bit of dust on occasion - and after you've captured most of the dust with a shop vac - is to run whatever heat/AC unit you have constantly. If the temp is okay, then just run the fan - after making sure you have a good clean filter on the unit.

    Guaranteed - control that dust or it will make you crabby (see picture below)!

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    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
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    Original Message