Air Filter Kit - Model-B/C - Design and Assembly

[@seangornell4197]

We live in New Jersey and the smoke from the wild fires in Canada was really bad. Our 3 filters with the dowels for legs and 5 sides worked perfectly. Thanks again for your hard work!

[@The3DHandyman]

Awesome. Thanks for the feedback! What sort of filters did you use?

[@digitizer101]

Small world, I lived in Ferguson, MO for about 17 years. One of my favorite breweries is across the street from Soulcraft. Love your videos thanks.

[@The3DHandyman]

For sure! Ferguson Brewing is always a fine choice. Thanks for watching!

[@The3DHandyman]

3rd Gen kits are out now! Watch the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4qyp6GnpLxnfpI Buy the kits www.etsy.com/listing/1687802690

[@mangotango7284]

Is there anyway to sign up for when the new kits will be available? Also, are you still selling the MycoSeries and Slatewood Lamps?

[@The3DHandyman]

@@mangotango7284 I think you sent me a message on Insta or Facebook, this is the best way. I can make a note to reach out to you when the new kits are ready to go. Also there are a few MycoSeries mushrooms left from the last production run www.etsy.com/shop/CrucibleCompany The lamps have been out of production for a while now. I have some parts for them but I would need time to finish them and hasn't been much time lately.

[@The3DHandyman]

The Model-A kit video will be out tomorrow! I ended up having to take a dog to the Pet Hospital and a Human to the Human Hospital Yesterday and am a bit behind on things. You can buy these kits here... www.etsy.com/listing/1373712349

[@Flash1857]

Hope both are healthy

[@The3DHandyman]

Thanks, it's going to be a work in progress

[@jimmychau3504]

@@The3DHandyman Hi 3D Handyman, would I be able to get a better price if I purchased 2 Model C? Greatly appreciate the consideration. Thank you

[@The3DHandyman]

@@jimmychau3504 Sure! It's easiest to give you a discount after purchase on Etsy. I can do $30 off. I also hope to have sales on my website up and running in the next month or two and that will also drop the price a bit. If you want them sooner, Etsy is the way to go at the moment. Sorry for the late reply, its been a long week.

[@volkoff6357]

This is ingenious. Bravo, good sir! I'm a machinist in an aerospace CNC shop, and this channel makes my OCD so happy. Very concise information with no BS. Clean video work and balanced audio. Keep it up! Edit: The etsy link says it's unavailable.

[@thetruemorg]

I'm so glad you've done this when my little setup is done in 3 months I will make sure to purchase one of the kits. The company I purchased filters through sent me the wrong filter size 3 times... So I have a bunch of free filters that wouldn't fit any of your designs. I will say the Rosenthal design is pretty freaking amazing. I have a kid with asthma and we live off of a well-traveled street. Ever since I've implemented it after watching your videos everyone has noticed much better general health.

[@The3DHandyman]

It's wonderful to hear that you've noticed an improvement in you health! The high MERV filters are pretty good for filtering out vehicle emissions. I hope to make a video about removing VOCs from the air some time next year to help clean the air even more. Thanks for the comment, it made my day!

[@theclaxton]

I'd be curious to see a box fan comparison: cfm vs cfm with filters and decibels Thanks for such detailed videos with great flow

[@The3DHandyman]

I hope to have a video out with more data on these soon. I've been slammed with a lot of unexpected stuff and am way behind on just about everything. I have taken the dB ratings tho. The numbers are the highest to lowest speeds. Background sound 40db Lasko @1 ft - 63, 60, 55 Air King @1ft - 68, 66, 61 Air doctor @1ft - 64, 58, 52, 45 Maxx air @1ft - 71, 67, 57 Caterpillar @1ft - 71, 67, 63, 57 This video covers most of the Model C performance kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnKtkJJ7Ys18gMU Thanks for watching!

[@theclaxton]

@@The3DHandyman I totally understand, thanks for putting these together!

[@David.Elfstrom]

Nice design but I suggest enlarging the inlet from a circle to a square as large as possible and providing a shroud for the outlet. In the current configuration there will be substantial backflow in the corners of the fan outlet side, which is preferentially drawn in and then blown out the front, reducing the flow through the filters. The circular restriction on the inlet further increases the pressure resistance on the inlet side. You can confirm this with visual observation of thin tissue paper. I've tested the impact of the shroud sizing and location using a calibrated flow capture hood, and two papers have been published showing the improvement of the Clean Air Delivery Rate for CR boxes with a shroud on outlet using smoke and NaCl aerosols.

[@The3DHandyman]

Do you have a link to the papers? I take it they also tested the rear style fan shroud? The idea with placing the shroud at the back was so that it is at least closer to the center point of the blades and it will at least prevent dirty air from being sucked into the filter box. The second front side shroud would also increase the price significantly and this is intended as a budget air filter. I am intrigued though, I will run the anemometer over the corners of this design and see how much back flow is present. I'll get back to you tomorrow on that! Thanks for the comment.

[@gabys2]

@@The3DHandyman Don't forget about this please :)

[@The3DHandyman]

@@gabys2 Thanks for the reminder! I am making a list of all the requests for the new video. I hope I can wrap up filming on this over the weekend.

[@The3DHandyman]

@@gabys2 I hope to have this video ready by the end of the month. I haven't forgotten! Sorry for the wait.

[@gabys2]

@@The3DHandyman Thank you for remembering! I have faith it will be a good video. Take your time.

[@LakotaNativedoll]

I’d also suggest using tape along any gaps, it makes a world of difference in performance especially when the filters start getting dirty. These can also be made using old computer fans if you need one that’s a bit more portable, I have 2 pc fan based ones with high static pressure that work wonders and can be made using any old pc and a cheap hepa filter or even paper towel as the filter medium

[@The3DHandyman]

Most filters seem to be pretty much gap free but at times they are a little crooked coming out of the machine. You are right, this will matter more when the filters are quite dirty but at least to start with, greater than 99% of the air will be heading through the filter. I hope to be able to test this in a future video. I just got some supplies for making a micro HEPA filter with a PC fan. Love the idea. Thanks for the comment and ideas! Will make a video about desktop options some day soon.

[@LakotaNativedoll]

@@The3DHandyman to be honest the pc variation is a literal lifesaver during asthma attacks, there's been multiple times where mine has saved me from having to be taken to the hospital

[@The3DHandyman]

@@LakotaNativedoll That's quite effective then! Glad you are seeing significant improvements with it.

[@LakotaNativedoll]

@@The3DHandyman i could send you refrence images of how i made my various versions if you wish, the server fan version in particular has a nice speed control feature i'm proud i figured out

[@The3DHandyman]

@@LakotaNativedoll That would be cool. Facebook or Instagram messenger would be the best option for sending a photo.

[@andysontag5336]

Model B for the win! Nicely done.

[@scotttrimingham8639]

Attaching a flexible dryer duct or two to an outside source would add filtered ventilation. Then windows could be closed to create an allergy-free residential "clean room in terms air quality.

[@The3DHandyman]

I will keep this concept in mind for a new filter that I'm working on. I like the idea! Thanks for the comment

[@mikropower01]

Ha, yes this is a much better solution as to build it self, because the most people do not have the right tools at home to create the plates in such a nice matching way. This building would need several days and at the end it would not be so good. You have created here now an IKEA-like Filterbox. 😀

[@The3DHandyman]

That's the idea! Even the CNC router needed 4 attempts to get it just right and it was still a bit choppy in places. The level of precision is best on a big CNC table for sure.

[@mechaflowmaniac]

Great design, love how simply you have accounted for differences in filter dimensions between brands. Not sealing filters perfectly will lower performance a bit, not so critical with ultra low resistance filters like Filtrete MPR or 2" merv13. Be nice to have an option for caster wheels. I've been experimenting with aesthetic prefilter covers and found IKEA Teresia voile curtain material a good free flowing option that can be customised with permanent marker pens. Eg a Minecraft TNT themed cover. Look forward to 3d printable parts release to try and make a frame in UK.

[@The3DHandyman]

I will add an option for wheels! Thanks for the info on the IKEA fabric, I'll test that out. I am experimenting with prefilters and will have a video out on that concept early next year.

[@mechaflowmaniac]

@@The3DHandyman if it helps I've tested a number of different prefilter materials over the past year. Most are too restrictive for a box fan. V sensitive to big resistance changes. G3 roll or 20z cotton furniture wadding only had a ~10% performance penalty and are ideal for workshops. G4 panels work too but best if 2". That specific IKEA Teresia curtain is similar to AC/hepa prefilter screens, which can also be sourced. Will be testing it in my cadr chamber over Xmas on UK Cr box spec. Will let you know when have a result.

[@The3DHandyman]

That's awesome info! I would love to know the results of the test. Have you tested any fleece type fabric?

[@AndyS52]

great design

[@The3DHandyman]

Thanks!

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

Box fans are not common in the UK. The ones we have widely available have a circular cage around the blades and an open frame structure.

[@The3DHandyman]

That's good to know! Can you reply with a link to one?

[@partsdave8943]

Nice design! Upgrade suggestions. Possibly adding support tabs along the filter edges. Obviously need depends on the rigidity of the filter used. Also, thumbscrews would make filter changes easier, as well.

[@The3DHandyman]

Thank you! I was thinking about extra tabs on the edges but so far that does not seem necessary. Even the most flimsy HDX air filter that I tested seemed to hold up well under a little compression. The snug fit actually appears to increase the rigidity of the filter itself. The air pressure is spread very evenly over all the filter surfaces so there they are unlikely to collapse. Maybe under extreme soil loads the HDX filters might but all others tested should be fine. I do like the thumb screw idea! Those to tent to be a little pricey, though. A set of wing bolts is the cheapest and it would add $5-10 to the price. Maybe if I buy in bulk, it could work, will check it out. Thanks for the comment!

[@partsdave8943]

@@The3DHandyman What about 3D printing some caps and epoxy or perhaps hot glue them on standard hardware, if wing nuts don’t prove to be cheaper. Just a thought.

[@The3DHandyman]

Also a good idea! I'll keep that in mind

[@seangornell4197]

We made 3 of the these from your original design. Love them and so happy you made these new versions. My question is are you making a design that has a filter on the bottom side? I like the design with it up from the floor by about 2 feet in my shop and a 5th side as the filter.

[@The3DHandyman]

Happy to hear you like the original design! I am working on some new designs and I've opted to keep the bottom filter out in favor of 4 side filters close to the floor. One version has a tall stack of filters that makes it to about standing height. This captures dust from floor to ceiling, if your ceilings are low. One significant benefit with these deigns is that that ducting the exhaust from the fan for more controlled air circulation significantly improved overall filter efficiency. What sort of space do you use the filters in?

[@seangornell4197]

​@@The3DHandyman That is good to hear about the improvement in the efficiency on the tall stack. That actually might work better. I use one in my wood shop. One in my upstairs by our bedrooms and another in our living room.

[@paulgreblick]

​​@@The3DHandymanI'm just wondering, what's the best direction of the airflow if you are making a box that has five with it raised off the floor? Should the fan be going into the filter so it sucks it in through the fan? Or should it be blowing up so that it sucks it from the filters? I like your bigger one that has it moving into the bigger fan for things like the spray booth concept, but would it make a difference with something like this? With a five filter one, I mean? I'm really confused about fan direction with a 5 filter design that is off the floor a good foot or two. (And thank you.)

[@The3DHandyman]

@@paulgreblick For the box fan style filters I like to blow air out of the filter box. This keeps the fan more clean and creates slightly more air circulation through the work space. So far my tests have indicated that the 5th filter does not create a huge increase in performance. Using (4) 20x30" filters is better in general. For spray booths, keep in mind that you need lots of ventilation if you are using high VOC products. Spray booth fan motors are also shaded-pole centrifugal blowers to reduce the risk of igniting the solvent vapors. No axial fans are really designed for this. So, if you are using this sort of fan in a spray booth type environment, you MUST have excellent ventilation as well. Let me know if any more questions come to mind!

[@markwhitis]

The air quality detector link appears to be missing. Thanks for doing these tests

[@The3DHandyman]

Any time. More on the way! Here is the link to the Air Quality Monitor amzn.to/3V4RZtt

[@smattt]

Dude - you've got your hands full making these insanely detailed videos, then all the work to make, package and ship your orders, all after your family commitments and you still respond to every comment on your videos. That is pretty insane and you have my respect (and subscription)! I'll be looking to make one of these myself but with a drum fan instead of the lower-powered box fans. Much thanks!

[@The3DHandyman]

Thanks for noticing! I haven't gotten any content out lately because the workload is off the charts. I actually already made a drum fan powered version but haven't gotten around to making the video yet. Some day soon, I hope. This version also works with an inline fan that is easy to connect a duct to. This can really help in some situations. Videos on that coming soon too!

[@CristianGuzman27]

Awesome DIY stuff. I am very interested in buying one of your fan boxes. I am wondering if I can put one of these near the air ducts in our apartment. Would it absorb the pollution coming fromthe vents? Our apt is 1,200 sqft and even though our ac unit is sepparated, we get also a log of smells from.neighbors.

[@The3DHandyman]

Awesome! Yes they can be parked in front of an HVAC duct. Using high MERV rated filters in an apartment sized unit can cause the AC to ice up in the summer time. The amount of air that comes out of these units should exceed the amount of air coming out of the vent and probably even the amount of air going into the return vent for the furnace. If you use MERV 13 or 14 filters like the ones tested in my last video, this should capture just about all pollution if it is running all the time. You will have to experiment and see if running the fan on LOW or MEDIUM is enough to get them all, it is nice and quiet on those settings in a small space. I would like to know the results if you do decide to get one!

[@adriand6477]

Incredible job, I have missed your progress... I have been running the Four filter Corsi box using Merv 11 3M filters now for a couple of months... Works really well with low noise using a Honeywell HF-910 it's been fantastic.. less noise then lasko... But it's a bit too large for my small room... I am trying to figure out how to make one with a single 4" filter for the smaller footprint size.

[@The3DHandyman]

Thanks! I definitely agree, the noise level is pretty high for these options. There are more filters to come... Along with the latest batch of CNC parts I added 2 new designs that I'll be testing soon. One is for office/bedroom use and it uses a HEPA filter for a Levoit air purifier. It's small and can be tucked behind furniture or under a bed. I'll include some decibel readings in the video as well. I want to do a quite option that works with a standard HVAC filter but that will have to wait a little while.

[@DR-cm4hi]

Corsi-Rosenthal had nothing to do with the design. It has been in use for decades.

[@adriand6477]

@@DR-cm4hi cool story bro.

[@DR-cm4hi]

@@adriand6477 DARVO

[@divinejudge1]

Ordered 2!!!

[@The3DHandyman]

Thank you!!! It really helps a lot

[@JSATI]

I would like to see a particle test comparing a fully taped/sealed fan of this design vs the exact way this one is designed. Where the Velcro is with the fan sitting on top doesn't this Also allow "dirty" air to pass through? Also I thought the four corners on the top not being covered would pull in "dirty" air? Or after a specific run time as it purifies the air would this small gap even matter..

[@The3DHandyman]

That's a good idea. I suspect that the small gaps will have very little difference in overall performance, but it's better to know for sure. I'll add that test into the video about A/B/C performance. Thanks for the thought!

[@Nettle314]

Love your videos! I'm just to order my filters to make my own. How long do the filters last before they need to change?

[@The3DHandyman]

Glad you are enjoying them! I have run a 20" box in a friends home for 6 months and the filters show little dust build up, even with lots of pets. In a shop scenario, after 6 months of use, they are loaded with dust but still preform well in a smoke test. So, if you are using 1in filters, you should get at least a year out of them under most conditions. 2in filters may last even longer. You can also consider K&N washable filters which will work for many years and only cost slightly more than disposable filters. These do not capture smoke sized particles as well as MERV 13+ disposables but they work great for large particles. Here's a link amzn.to/3UN3mXo I will have some updates to these designs soon where you can buy a 3D printed part pack and the plans to make them. There are also a few new updates as well. Hopefully I can get this launched by the end of the month 🤞

[@Nettle314]

@@The3DHandyman Thanks!!

[@DR-cm4hi]

This design has been in use for decades. Corsi-Rosenthal, the two nutty-professors from UC Davis, had nothing to do with it. It's like someone claiming to have invented putting a rubberband around a deck of cards.

[@The3DHandyman]

Just wait for the right moment to strike and whenever people put a rubber band around a deck of cars they will say your name!

[@DR-cm4hi]

@@The3DHandyman Moisten the stamps! I writing the US Patent Office right now.

[@Airpaycheck]

I'm a bit late to the party, but have a question. Can your design be modified to include a 5th filter on the bottom?

[@The3DHandyman]

You're right on time! All the tests that I've run indicate that the 5th filter doesn't meaningfully increase performance. It's also cheaper to buy filters in packs of 4. If you want more filter surface area, the 20x30in filters are the way to go.

[@capcom4eva]

Finally built my 3M MERV 13 20x30 w/ air king last night. 1200 CFM you say? So that means virtually no loss in CFM, compared to running the Air King w/ no filters? 🤔 Amazing‼️😁👍🏽🛠️ Btw, the gaffers tape is the best masking tape I ever used. 6 months is the expected filter life? Thought it might last longer, since it’s 4 of them. Will this remove TVOC, HCHO or any gases? Are TVOC readings & particle readings measuring the same thing? Sorry if I asked this before, this is so foreign😢 to me. I noticed on the pkg, it does not filter ultra fine particles. Thanks !

[@The3DHandyman]

Nice! I had not thought of using the gaffer tape as masking tape but I can see that leaving a nice clean edge. Good call! The filter life will vary based on how much dust you put into them. I have used these for more than 1 year with heavy use before the performance started to drop. TVOCs and HCHO are better removed by large carbon filters. I'll do a video on that some time soon. In general the filters can not remove much of this stuff unless it bonds with a particle and gets trapped in the filter. Even then the gas can be released even after it is trapped. Carbon is better at holding on to the molecules after it catches them.

[@capcom4eva]

@@The3DHandyman I just discovered activated bamboo charcoal bags, used to passively trap gases in homes. Supposedly, carbon bags can be recharged in the sun (off gassing captured gases outside) 2-3 hours per month for up to 2 years. With each recharge, you lose some capacity to trap gases.

[@The3DHandyman]

@@capcom4eva Interesting. It makes sense that heating the pellets would dehydrate them and with that moisture loss trapped gasses can be expelled from the material to a degree. I'd like to test that but my VOC tester doesn't seem to be as sensitive as I'd like. I'll probably give it a shot anyway!

[@capcom4eva]

@@The3DHandyman I highly recommend the Simbow Air-Guardian AQI meter, I found it more sensitive to TVOC than the meter used in these videos. I actually bought 3 AQI meters, including yours, but returned 2 & kept the Air Guardian, since it was the first to react to sudden changes, especially TVOC. It also happened to be the cheapest of the bunch. It’s currently $109.99 w/ a $10 off instant coupon. Measures everything, except PM1.0 in an easier to read bigger screen, & stands alone, without requiring to be handheld, which makes it perfect for displaying in a room. I really like it & monitor it multiple times a day, to make adjustments in household air flow, based on the TVOC meter reading, it tends to spike when windows are closed.

[@capcom4eva]

@@The3DHandyman can’t believe it’s only been 3 weeks & my filters already are beginning to turn black! Not sure if it’s mold, but did have a bad leak recently. Wonder if it traps the mold particles when it’s off. Can the filters be vacuumed? Thanks!

[@bdasalways]

Awesome design! Can’t wait for the 3D printed one. Do you have a basic single 4” clip for a 20” fan, yet?

[@The3DHandyman]

Thanks! Do you mean an adapter of some kind for connecting a box fan to a filter? or a 4" clip for this design?

[@bdasalways]

@@The3DHandyman For attaching a single 4” filter to a box fan. 4” is SO much more efficient but all I see are folks using 1” filters. Anything to keep from having to tape it to my fan….

[@The3DHandyman]

@@bdasalways Got yah! I do have an idea for that. Do you mind taping small attachments to your fan? If yes, hopefully that video will be out next month. In the mean time, I just crunched the numbers for more single filter tests and it looks like you can get more out of a 4 filter CR box than a single 4" filter (3M MERV11 test). This is when the filters are new though. I hope to retest with dirty filters at some point. Here's a few charts the3dhandyman.com/what-is-the-best-air-filter/

[@bdasalways]

@@The3DHandyman Awesome! Love the work man! Following on IG too!

[@The3DHandyman]

@@bdasalways Nice. I need to start uploading to insta again, it's been a while!

[@wishitwas]

I'm debating between Model B/C. Which would you recommend for an 1800 sqft house?

[@The3DHandyman]

Sorry for the late reply, just got back from vacation and haven't been able to sit down and answer comments lately. The number one goal was to start getting these kits into the mail this week. To answer your question, both are fine options. The Model-B will be able to filter more air but if your house is 2 stories or divided by lots of walls with small doorways (so, if you don't live in an 1800sq.ft. yurt), the extra air flow may not matter to much. All these obstructions will prevent air from circulating perfectly through all your spaces, so a Model-C in your largest room should do the most good for the lowest price. I hope that answers your question. If you have any more, let me know!

[@wishitwas]

@@The3DHandyman Won't the larger filters last longer? I'm wondering if the extended use will make up cost difference on filters

[@The3DHandyman]

@@wishitwas Yes, the 2in filters are supposed to last 6 months in an HVAC unit and the 1in filters are supposed to maintain their rated efficiency for 3 months. The 20x30in filters are also about the same price as the 20x20 filters much of the time. So, that will further increase the amount of time between filter changes and lower the cost of use over time. I ran one of these units in a dusty basement for 4 months over the summer and the 20x20x1in filters turned a light shade of gray. I think they could have easily lasted all year (though they would have been rather gross looking by then). I suspect that 20x30in filters might last up to two years in a relatively clean space. I'm not sure though because I do not have testing data for that specific scenario.

[@capcom4eva]

@@The3DHandymanThat was my thinking, that I’ll probably get up to 3 years from 4 20x30x1, w/ just as much air flow as 5 20x20x1 in a relatively clean house. Was even thinking I could upgrade it at some point by adding legs & a 20x20x5 Nordic Pure MERV 14 Carbon filter to the base to improve gas filtration.

[@The3DHandyman]

@@capcom4eva I think that's reasonable to assume. If you don't have 5 dogs or something 2-3 year life expectancy on the filters is possible. After dumping fine dust into a Model-A for 1 year it performance went down noticeably. In a mostly clean house it will take an extremely long time to collect that volume of dust. The filters + carbon don't seem to really do much in my tests. The actual amount of carbon on most of those filters is extremely small.

[@UsuallyOff]

Can you build one that’s uses a carbon filter like the one on the iq air ?

[@The3DHandyman]

I will do a video on carbon filtration some day soon. So far the most effective way that I have done this is with a ducted system. Lots of carbon requires lots of static pressure and a more powerful fan than the standard box fan.

[@Baldavier]

Just made one but with fan pointing down inside. What's the difference if the fan blows inwards or outwards?

[@The3DHandyman]

Outwards tends to filter that air in a room better because the air is more directed coming out the front side of the fan. If the fan is pointing into the filter box the air in the space right around the filter (~3ft) will get stuck in sort of a filtration loop where the same air gets filtered over and over again and the air elsewhere in the room gets filtered less. I need to make a video about this some time soon. A lot of people ask this question.

[@alfredorodriguez1281]

@@The3DHandyman Thanks! I was going to ask the same question since in some of your other videos the fan is blowing into the filter box. Great content!

[@The3DHandyman]

@@alfredorodriguez1281 Thank you!

[@KRISIS1451]

Think it would be safe to stick a led bulb in them? Could also function as a soft light lamp...

[@The3DHandyman]

Sounds like a fine idea to me. Make sure it is nothing that can get hot.

[@coya4321]

What is the adavantage of using a 3m one inch thick vs 2 inch thick..TIA

[@The3DHandyman]

The 3M 1in filters actually have more surface area than the average 2in off brand filters and that translates into better performance. Both are good options. The Filterbuy 20x30x2 preformed slightly under the specs on the 3M 20x30x1 MERV 13. I had hoped to get the video with results for the Model-B out sooner but I have been slammed with orders since launch and haven't had time to produce any videos for the last few months. New content should be out next month, though. Until then, I've managed to get some of the info up on my website the3dhandyman.com/what-is-the-best-air-filter/ Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@chewchew74]

one flaw if it is that These fan is considered a bit loud. I guess it would be ideal in big work shop.

[@The3DHandyman]

That is partially true. They tend to be louder than your average HEPA filter on a LOW setting but on HIGH HEPA filters tend to be about as loud. Here are the sound ratings in decibels: Honeywell HPA200 @1ft - 58, 54, 46, 41 Blueair 211@1ft - 61, 50, 41 Lasko @1 ft - 63, 60, 55

[@Devin82m]

When will they be back in stock?

[@The3DHandyman]

Hopefully in a month or less. When they come back the design will be revamped to allow for lower lead times and prices. Sorry for the wait!

[@rsuplido]

Would like to get the the kit! Are you still giving discounts/coupons?

[@The3DHandyman]

Hi! No coupons at the moment. As it is the profit margins are quite low for the work that goes into them. There is also a large backlog of shipments yet to be made. I may at some point do mismatched part kits with a lower price. I have tested 4 different woods with the CNC shop and there are some spares parts starting to stack up. Would that interest you? I'm not sure when I can get to that, but I will do a post when they are available.

[@sergeyd5777]

Sorry, I could not find a link to buy a kit. Your Etsy page is showing completely different things.

[@The3DHandyman]

Sorry for the confusion! I relaunched this kit with plastic & metal parts here www.etsy.com/listing/1373712349 The wood version caused a lot of problems with warping and voids in the plywood so I made the switch to for reliable materials. The new kit works the same as the ones in this video. I have not yet had time to finish up the new videos for the relaunch of the kits. I am hoping hey will be done some time late next month. Let me know if you have any questions!

[@johndowns4161]

Etsy says no longer available

[@teeu.4493]

I've seen different designs and am not too sure of the pro's and con's in regards to fan direction. Wouldn't it be better to flip the fan so that the dust inlet becomes the fan side and not the filter side? Won't this increase inlet strength? If anyone knows the pro's and con's of this idea, please let me know.

[@The3DHandyman]

Blowing into the box is better for local filtration. This unit works really well in that configuration from about 5 feet away. If a fan doesn't have a lot of horsepower it wont work from more than 2-3 feet away (filter on a box fan sort of thing). It really depends on how the unit is placed next to your work area as well. The closer the fan is to the source of dust, the better. If the fan is blowing out of the filter box it will filter the ambient air in a larger space better than if the fan is blowing into it. This is due to greater air circulation created by a strong outflow. So in short, blowing into the box is great if your filter is next to your work area but it will be less effective at filtering general airborne particulate further away from the filter (up to 50% slower filtration in a 2 car garage). I'll do a video on this subject at some point to get into even more detail

[@teeu.4493]

@@The3DHandyman thanks mate, this was a good explanation. Makes a lot of sense now. I have an outdoor work area so I'll weigh the pros n cons relative to my filter placement and ambient air flow. Cheers!!

[@mattsoutherden]

@@The3DHandymanInteresting. I was also wondering about this, but from the perspective of containing the dust captured on the filters. If the air is drawn in from the outside, then would moving the unit result in lots of particulate being dislodged and shed back into the room?

[@The3DHandyman]

@@mattsoutherden That is possible once it gets really caked on there. A pre-filter can be taped onto the filters to help prevent dust disturbance. I'll have a video out on this concept in a month or so.

[@JSATI]

Have you done any real world testing on how long the filters last in a normal home environment for air purification? Most of the filters recommend around a three month life but real world with the particle counter what are you seeing for the lifespan of filters? On the 4 filter design merv 14 changing every three months you could be $200+/yr on filter replacement alone. . Also the link to kits was not working..

[@The3DHandyman]

I'll be testing this in an upcoming video. I need to figure out exactly how to soil the filters evenly and immediately in a realistic way. I'm hoping that will be out in March. I don't think that they need to be replaced that frequently. The Nordic Pure MERV 14s in my Model-A unit were completely filthy after 6 months of use and they still managed to pull ultra fine smoke particles out of the air in 1.5hrs vs 45 minutes. Which is not awful performance. So far that's the only dirty filter test I've done. You may be able multiply the clean smoke test results by 2 to get the amount of additional time required for filtration as they get soiled. The smoke test video with these designs may offer the correct results for severely dust caked filters but I cant say for sure, yet. Here is another link. Not sure why the link didn't work before. It appears to be functional now. www.etsy.com/shop/The3DHandyman

[@JSATI]

@@The3DHandyman thanks, looking forward to the future content. Odd. I tried the link on mobile with chrome and brave browser. Both take me to the same page showing a white page saying "429 Too Many Requests". I will try the link on desktop when I get a chance.

[@JSATI]

@@The3DHandyman follow up on the link.. I had no issues accessing the page via desktop/laptop however my mobile was unable to open the link. Thanks!

[@smattt]

@@JSATI You've probably already figured this out but were you on a VPN when you got that error? Happens a lot.

[@JSATI]

@@smattt thank you! Seems so simple yet it never registered that my mobile VPN was the issue. Just tested the link by turning it off and the link works. I am newer to the use of a VPN and have not experienced that before. Thanks again!

[@bombatta1544]

Why don't you add another piece of wood inside as a shelf to hold the fan so it can sit below the site line? If it stays flush or lower, you don't see the ugly fan. Then, you can put a filter on the top which should also stay flush. The handle for the fan should be removed.

[@The3DHandyman]

It's a fine idea. I'll have to do some experimenting

[@bombatta1544]

@@The3DHandyman I will buy your first prototype.

[@The3DHandyman]

@@bombatta1544 One of the biggest issues with this concept is that the controls for the fan end up inside the filter box so a separate fan controller would be needed... unless the perfect fan can be found...

[@petersonbegay-ui9zp]

Can it filler, filler the smell of cigarettes and other smoking products I smoke neighbor complain about the smell

[@The3DHandyman]

Yes it can but there will be a limit to how much it can remove. The Model-B with MERV 13-14 filters can remove about 3-4 cigarettes worth of smoke per hour in a large space when the filters are new. After a few months, I cant really say how effective it would be against smoke. Haven't had time to do those tests. A 4 filter taped together Cosri-Rosenthal box will preform a bit worse than the Model-B but it may still work. If you point the fan into the filter box and blow the smoke directly into the back of the fan, this may improve efficiency overall.

[@zachjensen777]

How much for the model c kit?

[@The3DHandyman]

Hi Zach! The Model C is currently $175 plus shipping. I will have some updates coming to these units next month some time that will include faster shipping times or maybe a slight reduction in price.

[@zachjensen777]

@The 3D Handyman ok yes please let me know when that happens as im am interested in the model C box and will make a purchase at that time

[@The3DHandyman]

@@zachjensen777 If I forget, just shoot me a comment or a message on Etsy. Comments get lost easily :)

[@zachjensen777]

@@The3DHandyman will do 👍🏻

[@squatch545]

Still waiting for the new video. It's been over a year.

[@The3DHandyman]

Yeah, me too. I cannot begin to explain how long and stressful this year has been. There has been little to no time for content production but I have filmed a lot of stuff for an upcoming series. The updated video for this design will be out in January. A short video on a different design and a quick channel update will be out in about a week or so. Sorry for the wait!

[@squatch545]

@@The3DHandyman Hey no problem. Thanks for your reply. I hope I didn't come across as cheeky. I was sincerely just wondering if there were more videos on the way, since I like your content, because I know lots of creators sometimes suddenly stop making videos for various reasons, as their personal life takes precedence. Good to know the update is coming out in January. Thanks again!

[@SonsOfThunder229]

But wont this blow the dust everywhere?

[@The3DHandyman]

Good question! The upward draft tends to keep small particles airborne so that they can be filtered eventually. Personally it's not my favorite method of dust filtration but it is the most popular method. I will eventually make a version of the Model B that is designed for the Caterpillar drum fan that can blow air into the filter box rather than out of it. Box fans are not suitable for that style of filtration, they are just the least expensive fans out there.

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

@@The3DHandyman if you blew in, would you line with a washable cloth bag to catch the big stuff like hairs and extend the life of the filters?

[@The3DHandyman]

@@AndrewHelgeCox That's the idea. I have the parts, just need to test it out and shoot the video. Hopefully that will be out in the next month or two.

[@CommuneRecords]

@@The3DHandyman Thank you for all your videos! We successfully made our filter box (short-legged version)! But a couple questions about this idea: Why would you need the Caterpillar drum fan for the inward-blowing version? Is it because it's stronger and thus can suck dust better from across the room, rather than having to keep it airborne to help it get into the more underpowered box-fan version? Also, we're not aiming the fan upwards all the time because there are dusty high-beam ceilings and we don't want to blow that dust around, but when we put it on its side, it seems like it's stirring up dust from the carpet, actually making more dust. Do you have any thoughts on this? Is it just as effective on its side? Finally, one should always use the fan's highest setting, right? Even on the highest setting I'm not noticing massive suction on the outside of the filters, enough to lightly hold a piece of paper maybe?

[@The3DHandyman]

@@CommuneRecords I'm happy to help! So the Caterpillar fan is recommended for blowing dust into the filter box (push method) because the motor is enclosed and can not get dust inside of it. That's pretty much it. If you are using a Box fan in this way, I can't say how well it would preform because I have not tested it. If the dust you are pulling from the air is not flammable or metallic, like shop dust, the fan should still last a long time in this configuration. For general air filtration, it is best to blow air out the top of the filter box (pull method). This generally preforms twice as well as blowing air into the filters when you are trying to clean all the air in a large space. I don't know the exact situation but it may be best to clean the rafters/joists or cover/remove the items in your room and run the filter blowing air up into the dirty space until the dust has been dislodged, then you can uncover things. Just a thought! I know that may not be possible. To answer your last question it would help to know what fan and filters you are using. If it is a box fan, the air flow will be quite low through the filters, maybe only 1 mile per hour or so. With the more powerful drum fans that number may only be 3mph. The idea behind these designs is to keep the amount of air going through the fan distributed over a huge area of filters. The amount of air going out the top of the fan should be quite high in comparison. I hope that helps answer your questions, if you have more, please ask!

[@bieralchemie3363]

4:30 I think the gaps really don't Matter, I am planning to use door insulations to reduce air from coming somewhere through. Dude, this is content is RARE. In Germany = No of these vids. I guess because we don't have hvac systems (because of thick walls that hold Temperature, just da different architectual concept). It is reeeaaally hard to find cheap a d large HEPA Filters - I can only find expensive replacement Filters for systems that are a total rip-off. (There is no merv in Germany) If anyone can help - let me know.

[@The3DHandyman]

I have heard this before. this sort of HVAC filter is very much a US/Canada thing. Even finding them in Mexico is very difficult. I even joked with some guy from Poland that we should import a shipping container full of them so they don't cost 60USD each. Agreed, the gaps are of minimal concern unless you are using the system as a dust bucket, which I do quite a bit. Are canister filters easier to find/cheaper there?

[@TheBartboy007]

I'm interested in purchasing one of these kits. I love the idea that I would not be beholden to a particular manufacturer for filter or fan replacement. The only piece of information holding me back from pulling the trigger on it right now is that I want to make sure that the setup is quiet enough for home use. As far as I understand modern box fans should be producing no more than 55-60dbs but when researching the Hurricane box fan (one specifically recommended from a blog as a relatively quiet and high CFM fan) on the highest setting it's producing 70db according to one of the top Amazon video reviews. I understand this was designed for a shop environment but would greatly appreciate some of your thoughts on how the sound produced from the unit figures into the equation. It might sound like an unwarranted concern but the more I read about some of the effects of persistent exposure to high levels of noise the more it seems like a worthwhile pursuit to mitigate it as much as possible in the places we spend the majority of our time: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047272722001505#:~:text=Increasing%20background%20noise%20by%204.1,noise%20pollution%20beyond%20health%20impacts My concern is that it may be a no free lunch situation where in order to reduce the noise while maintaining the necessary cfm we would have to get a bigger fan and run it at a lower rpm. As far as how quiet, quieter is obviously better and the EPA does mention anything above 45db as disruptive in a home environment. I understand this may not be obtainable and am generally willing to trade some higher background noise for cleaner air but there is probably a cutoff for when marginally cleaner air isn't worth the additional noise pollution. I know that these units were designed for shop use and think you have hit the nail on the head for value in that space. Hope what I've said is coherent and ends with you either recommending a quiet fan that works with this configuration or prototyping and releasing an a design specifically tailored for home use.

[@The3DHandyman]

It's true that box fans do produce a fair amount of noise. The tradeoff is the amount of air that the unit filters. For instance the Air King fan is the noisiest option that I tested, even when it is on LOW, but it still moves 670cfm. This is almost twice as high as the Air Doctor HEPA filter on HIGH (I tested this one in other videos). One thing to consider is how close you will be to the fan. At 1ft away the sound readings are listed below. Now at 5ft away the Lasko on low would only would like 41db. For the Air King you would need to be 10ft away for the sound level to reach 41db. Sound levels drop exponentially. Here is the calculator to determine how loud the fan will wound in your place... www.omnicalculator.com/physics/distance-attenuation Background sound 40db Lasko @1 ft - 63, 60, 55 Air King @1ft - 68, 66, 61 Air doctor @1ft - 64, 58, 52, 45 Maxx air @1ft - 71, 67, 57 Caterpillar @1ft - 71, 67, 63, 57 You could also choose to run the fan when you are not in the house. But if none of these sound quite right for your space, this sort of Box Fan powered air filter may not be the best option for you. I will be testing some quiet low-air-flow designs for home use next month with more on the way later in the year. Hope that helps! If you have any more questions, do let me know.

[@TheBartboy007]

@@The3DHandyman Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply! I appreciate the resources provided and will get to doing my homework. I don't have any immediate questions but I'd bet I'll have a couple in the future! The plan is to have a smart switch that is integrated into a home assistant installation with an air quality sensor to automatically turn the unit on when the aqi goes above a certain threshold. If running the fan on low has enough cfm to clean the air at an acceptable rate and is below 45db then that would be great. If I only need to run the unit on high for say 5 mins every hour then I might be interested in that option over it on low depending on the difference in how much a difference in performance those two options present. Looking into this problem for my place has sent me down a rabbit hole of ASHRAE standards and I'm pretty sure is going to end with me essentially retrofitting my place with a diy HVAC system

[@TheBartboy007]

Also this video is somewhat more focused on COVID and how ventilation ties into it but the guy is clearly an expert of the health implications of ventilation and thought you might appreciate it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYKZdZudrMynfdk

[@The3DHandyman]

@@TheBartboy007 It is a fun rabbit hole to explore! Have fun with it. I love the idea of a system that turns itself on and off when needed, it's a lot more efficient that way.

[@The3DHandyman]

@@TheBartboy007 Thanks for the link! I will give it a watch before I finalize my next video on the subject.