Just had an MC1000 Microclene Air Filtration unit arrive for me to evaluate from Microclene. It will be interesting to see what it can achieve, particularly compared to my current ‘shop air filtration unit.
With a 100W motor, it can pass a 1000 cubic metres of air per hour through the unit for filtering, and when compared to the current unit I have, it is significantly more compact, creates about the same amount of noise, filters to 95% 1 micron, 65% 0.4 micron (cf 100% 5 micron and 85% 1 micron). They both process about the same amount of air (1000 vs 1100 cubic metres/hr)
How much better the 0.4 micron filtering is will be interesting – it is in the range of wood smoke particles (0.2 – 3 micron), although my current CHF-1000 doesn’t have a certified rating below 1 micron to compare it. (A micron is 1/1000000th of a metre, or 1/25400th of an inch. You generally cannot see particles smaller than 40 micron) When particles get below 1 micron in size, they can take days, or even years to settle in a quiet atmosphere. In a turbulent one, they can remain permanently airborne.
Guess that means I would be 100% safe from Anthrax, asbestos would be rendered “Mostly Harmless” (to quote Douglas Adams) and radioactive fallout would be diminished.
Filed under: Manufactures and Suppliers, Safety, Tools Tagged: | Air Filter, MC1000, Microclene
I bought one of these about six months ago, fantastic company to deal with. Very knowledgeable and eager to help, even sent me a unit on a 2 week trial, another important thing to note is how cheap their replacement filters are.
While haven’t noticed much of a difference in the dust all over my workshop (too many leaks in my dusty). I can defiantly breath easier during and after a busy day in the workshop
Good to have a purchaser’s insight into the company – how a company deals with its customers is as important as the product itself IMHO.
Sounds like you really need to tackle that extractor’s issues though, if nothing else it will be using up your air filter’s filter faster than necessary. Good to know they are not expensive even so – hadn’t looked into that yet.
Can you reposition the DC outside the shop somehow (external covered area) for example? It would deal with your leaking problem, and decrease shop noise dramatically. Alternatively, you can get after market bags and upgrades to fix leaking issues – you’ve spent good money on the DC – might as well having it work as intended!
Gave the MC1000 a quick run in the workshop last night, and it raised a perplexing question – can an air cleaner unit be too big for a given space?
I was finding that there was so much upward draught, that a lot of dust was rising, but not specifically directly into the filter. A large portion rose up and into the area where the filter was venting, and was quickly blown all over the workshop.
I wonder if the fan was able to be slowed to suit the space, that it would actually become a more effective collector?
In contrast, the CHF-1000 works better the faster it runs, setting up a circulation pattern in the roof of the shed. It may just be that the MC1000 just isn’t suitable for the size of my shed, and particularly the roof height. Or I could just have it positioned wrong, which I will be able to check and adjust when Microclene visit my workshop next week.
More experimentation required!
When i was researching these units Microclene told me there units will basically create a whirlpool effect (takes about 20mins from memory) so i put mine in the centre of the workshop. But i’d be interested in hearing what they say during their visit.
That’s what I heard too, but it appears better to establish the whirlpool first! (Guess I didn’t wait long enough (30 seconds!))
Stu,
I have been using one of these for a while and now turn it on as a matter of course, even when doing handtool work. I have a small remote that activates it and I turn it on when the shed door opens.
Great units, I notice a lot less dust in general but all users should still be aware that a dustmask is still required when using power tools.