My paintbooth, almost done

[64SS350]

I have been working on my version of the paintbooth. It will have sandblast gloves cut to wrist length so I can then use nitril gloves. It has two 23" lights, will have a filter in rear, use my shops vac system (with reduced are flow) to evacuate the fumes and overspray, and a port to insert the airbrush hose.

[Funkster]

Cool, are you going to share your paint booth how to with us?

[64SS350]

As to the construction, no prob. My painting though is improving, with the help of Mr Yost's DVDs, and patience!

[sportandmiah]

I sure hope you're not sucking that paint into the vacuum unless its acrylic.

[Alyn]

I sure hope you're not sucking that paint into the vacuum unless its acrylic.

Amen

Tossing out all the arguments about one fan verses the other, the shop vac is the worst possible choice. Number 1, the paint and fumes will be pulled right through the motor, and Number 2, the typical shop vac motor has brushes and therefore the possibility of sparks.

I usually stay out of these "what fan to use" discussions, but hearing that you're using a shop vac, it was too much to ignore.

[64SS350]

Why is my setup different from anyone else's that uses a blower motor or even a fan?

Besides, the motor and turbine area is seperate and grounded via the pipe to the unit.

It's not a 'shop vac', my shop's vac SYSTEM.

Edited March 14, 2012 by 64SS350

[jaymichaelsdesigns]

if you mind me asking,How much was the total build of this paint booth?

[64SS350]

Everything should total about 130, the plywood and lights were the worst, alot I found deals on, had, or fabricated.

Don't currently have a room available to paint in. so had to this.

[Alyn]

Why is my setup different from anyone else's that uses a blower motor or even a fan?

Besides, the motor and turbine area is seperate and grounded via the pipe to the unit.

It's not a 'shop vac', my shop's vac SYSTEM.

You've got one of the best built homemade booths that I've seen. Your workmanship really shows. If you add a squirrel cage blower with a shaded pole motor, you'll have a safer setup.

Your shop vac SYSTEM still uses a vacuum. Having been a vacuum repairman years ago, I don't remember ever seeing a vacuum motor without brushes; of any brand or style. When the commutator or brushes wear or get dirty, they spark. Sometime the sparks are difficult to see, sometimes they're more obvious. Vacuum motors pull a lot of air, so they are quite powerful. Making the necessary power also makes heat. To carry away the heat, vacuums are designed to route the airflow through the motor for cooling. Whatever fumes you pull out of the booth will flow through the motor and by the brushes.

Shaded pole motors have no brushes, no breaks in the electrical circuit. They aren't as powerful as the motor in your vacuum system, but they don't create sparks either. Shaded pole motors are common in bathroom fans, range top fans and other small CFM blowers. Furthermore, if you can find a squirrel cage blower powered by shaded pole motor, the evacuated air doesn't even flow through the motor.This would be a big step forward in the safety of your booth.

[jaymichaelsdesigns]

not bad man yea harbor freight tools has one for 250.00 i might build one like yours i need a better paint booth.

[64SS350]

To clarify further, this uses a dust collection blower/vac system, where (saw) dust passes through the unit,which is also flammable. This is essentially a squirrel cage on steroids.

The smaller unit at harbor freight was $120, but a little smaller than this and no lights, stand or filtered exhaust port. But, the gloves and glove ports were ordered from there and were very reasonable.

[sportandmiah]

Here's why you are building a ticking time bomb: Your paint fumes have nowhere to go but a large canister, creating a very turbulent mixture of paint fumes and wood dust. Unless you are blowing this stuff outside, it's eventually going to create a large disaster. You need to post a detailed picture of this motor you are using so we know what you are talking about before you start painting.

Great design and build, but needs a little tweaking.

[64SS350]

OK, here we go...paint is dispensed in booth, travels through filter,out through the connected pipeing, passing through turbine area ( not motor and at great velocity,since this is a whole shop system) out more pipeing to a collection trailer that is vented.

I guess I thought more people would have had a better idea of what I meant when I said 'vac system', but everyone is'nt into carpentry and woodworking.

Thanks for what I hope is concern?!

C U in Columbus

[Alyn]

Definately based on concern for you and whomever might be looking for ideas to build their own paint booth.

You are correct, I picked up on the term "shop vac". When it comes to paint booths, I think its always a good idea to explain the steps taken to mitigate the potential dangers. Good to hear your setup is flowing through a squirrel cage blower. I have to plead ignorance on the impact of the containment section of your system.

Back to the booth itself; are you building anything into the bottom of the booth to diffuse the air flow. I have a plenum area at the base of mine with numerous 2" holes drilled in the base plate to spread out the air flow. It should help to keep the air from disrupting the spray pattern out of an airbrush or rattle can nozzle.

sorry to trip up your thread, but the "shop vac" reference caught my eye.

Edited March 14, 2012 by Alyn

[64SS350]

Well I can regulate my airflow with the blast gates installed in all lines attahed, if that's not enough I may have to incorporate your idea or the like.

I did'nt think anyone would consider using a shop vac, then again, that's why you see all those crazy warnings on products now, because somebody somewhere has tried it!!