how do i set up a painting area in a flat

ok, so part of me want to Frankenstein this and beg borrow and steal parts from any where I can. The 'perfectionist' in me says do it properly.... I love arguing with myself, I always win : )

I have an old PC power supply that could run a few pc fans but the only fans I have around are not workable (old 486 style fans or the pedestal fan from the shed ! )

So I thought long and hard about it yesterday and I've come up with the following criteria:

I have decided I will do it 'properly' but try and keep a budget of under $150 so i'll keep track of spend.

Here are some of my 'out loud' thoughts, feel free to jump in.

1. It has to work as intended, with sufficient draw to cope with the overspray. *note to self, make sure it sucks, not blows*
2. It needs to be as quiet as possible. This needs to be usable day or night.
3. Needs to be a replacement to an easel (tilt adjustment may be required)
4. - how to attach projects to it ? - pegboard with a repositionable 'rest' of some sort or metal for magnetic attachment....
5. Ducting and filtration still to be designed. As @RebelAir has suggested, it will need tweaking as it progresses.
6. Lighting ?? it may be easier just to have a floor light... hmmmm. LED strips maybe.


The 'prototype' will be made of cardboard / coreflute or anything else I have laying around that I can make use of.
I checked out the links from @SirSpider but there are no specs on noise level, and a cost of US$67. Remember we will be almost sitting on top of these so 'white noise' is a consideration, although most of us would have headphones available, there may be other occupants that need to be considered.

I've sourced a fan, I'll probably get two, just in case one doesn't do it... if I wind up with a spare i'll make use of it in another project.
AUS $29
Size 23omm,
Airflow-156.27 CFM
Noise 25.6dB
Current. .38A
 
1. It has to work as intended, with sufficient draw to cope with the overspray. *note to self, make sure it sucks, not blows* Hahahaha, I'm happy with either.
2. It needs to be as quiet as possible. This needs to be usable day or night.-Those 200 mm fans can be a bit noisy in a quiet room but shld be quiet enough in comparrison to our compressors LOL, I think the main thin is are you going to incorporate such into the panel design or will the fan box be seperate. I would get an old computer from a repair shop, tell em what your doing as they likely have hundreds of old fans out back, prob happy to hand you a wiring harness also, also consider utilizing an adjustable speed dial, most modern computers have this as part of the fan wiring already so that way you can easily turn down the unit speed..heck take the guts out of an old computer and its almost a ready made filter box. Turn it on its side so its front fans are the suckers, block any side fans off and silicone the units side panels, and put a couple of sucker fans on the rear of the box then just jam it full of rockwool or another basic filter material..Instant vacuum LOL, though some fiddling inside with flow cones may be needed in case you build something that creates a lock or a high pressure zone where ya dont want it..

3. Needs to be a replacement to an easel (tilt adjustment may be required)..def a good idea, height as well but easy enuf made or adapted from something else, IE could you actually mount it or build it to an easel. first thing that came up when I typed adjustable stand in ebay, but easy enuf to make but these days sometimes cheaper to buy LOL

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mobile-L...-Table-Tray-/390850341119?hash=item5b007ee8ff

4. - how to attach projects to it ? - pegboard with a repositionable 'rest' of some sort or metal for magnetic attachment....Metal and magnets as a preference I would think, use some old washing machine panel, that way your not restricted if painting small pieces to have it in the middle, better suction near the edge no doubt..
5. Ducting and filtration still to be designed. As @@RebelAir has suggested, it will need tweaking as it progresses.-metal ducting IE airconditioning ducting may be a bit cumbersome, the stretchable plastic type they put on freestanding airconditioners is great stuff, easy to cut, light, stretches or folds up for storage, the fittings for it screw onto the actual pipe to which may be good for sealing. Don't forget that silicone may be your best friend in this project LOL..Though silicone tape is awesome and seals anything with no mess..

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PORSCHE-...ir-Duct-Kit-/251551029641?hash=item3a919c1989

6. Lighting ?? it may be easier just to have a floor light... hmmmm. LED strips maybe. Heck yer....Just no colors, especially blue LOL...hate blue, makes me feel kinda blue. Dadadidadada dadadidadada dadadidadada. Sorry if that song gets into your head now, its in mine so felt the need to share...LOL..and it probably didnt till I just said that so if you find yourself humming to Blue, don't blame me....Dadadidadada dadadidadada dadadidadada....

Good luck on the build m8 :)
 
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shopping list...
old PC - tick, I already have (several if I'm honest)
wiring harness - tick, lost count
old washing machine metal panel - tick - it was destined for the tip but hasn't made it yet
airconditioning ducting.... the hunt is on.
silicone - tick, although the stocks are low and duct tape will do on the prototype
LED lighting - the hunt is on... can these be wired to the power supply ? (I'm no electrician LOL )
new song list. (I hate you @RebelAir !! )
:cool::eek::confused:

Yo listen up here's a story
About a little guy that lives in a blue world
And all day and all night and everything he sees
Is just blue like him inside and outside
Blue his house with a blue little window
And a blue corvette
And everything is blue for him and himself
And everybody around
'Cause he ain't got nobody to listen to
I'm blue da ba dee da ba die...
 
Least I didn't go that far, have tried to forget the actual words LOL. No sparkie either and others here prob have a better idea or more experience in that area but my method is to attach wires and see what happens LOL but most LEDs I think run of 12 volt unless they come with a box on the power supply that transforms it into regular household voltage. (or again visit your computer storage pile, ya may already have something like an LED Rope that plugs straight into the 4 pin fan connectors.Well the raw LED strips I have here can attach straight to the car battery so i assume I'm correct same as the fans so in reality you could attach a car battery to run it on on site so maybe a 240 or 110 volt system to run it at home (whatever it is in other country's) and a 12 volt alternative switch to run onsite . Personally I'd just use the power supply thats in the computer box, just find a connector plug with just a black and red (I think a motherboard fan plug would do the job for the leds) attach red to red and black to black LOLOLOL and see what the heck happens, just stand back in case LOL..Or alternatively if you have a computer that does have lots of LEDs dig em out and change the little globes if ya can, there normally just soldered in..
 
ok, we can wait for a response on the LEDs, I don't fancy a new hairdo
where the hell do I find the filters..... ? (the Bunnings website sux ! )
 
ok, we can wait for a response on the LEDs, I don't fancy a new hairdo
where the hell do I find the filters..... ? (the Bunnings website sux ! )

Yes it does LOL, all hardware websites suck now, they don't even list prices anymore the basta****** LOL..But now where gonna get real expensive as it uses a very rare element and I'll throw you an idea that will possibly delight or terrify you considering power is involved and will say only one word, well two if ya wanna get technical....Waterwall. But will look for a filter for ya that's safer LOL but a waterwall styled filter would be just awesome and soothing all at the same time :)
 
LOL, let me guess.... you have a water cooled PC ! lol
I've seen the water filteration for dust collectors and yes the theory is there but we are talking practicallitly here, so I think a filter would be better...



................ I'm supposed to be working !!
 
But was just thinking about it whilst absorbing lots more caffine, thus my posting this morning, should be out digging my garden LOL. You could in effect make a couple of PVC tubes that attach to the back of the suction fans, place a paint mask filter cartridge in each tube behind the suction fans. This way they are easily replaced or changed. Personally if I was exhausting it outside I'd just stuff the box full of something like wall insulation. It will remove a lot of the particulates but may be dusty but realistically if I'm pumping it outside its not my prob anymore :) But I have no neighbours to complain..most waterbourne paints, even though use solvents they are mild and reportedly not environmentally impacting so dunno on the filter, maybe a good proper filter material you can purchase, go down to the local body shop or car paint specialist and see what they've got..

http://www.boothfiltersdirect.com.au/home?gclid=CJmZnoT-wscCFU5vvAodYfEPYg...Found some :)

So am I....LOL
 
But was just thinking about it whilst absorbing lots more caffine, thus my posting this morning, should be out digging my garden LOL. You could in effect make a couple of PVC tubes that attach to the back of the suction fans, place a paint mask filter cartridge in each tube behind the suction fans. This way they are easily replaced or changed. Personally if I was exhausting it outside I'd just stuff the box full of something like wall insulation. It will remove a lot of the particulates but may be dusty but realistically if I'm pumping it outside its not my prob anymore :) But I have no neighbours to complain..most waterbourne paints, even though use solvents they are mild and reportedly not environmentally impacting so dunno on the filter, maybe a good proper filter material you can purchase, go down to the local body shop or car paint specialist and see what they've got..

http://www.boothfiltersdirect.com.au/home?gclid=CJmZnoT-wscCFU5vvAodYfEPYg...Found some :)

So am I....LOL

I actually like the idea of the paint masks, easily replaced .... do they come in 23cm LOL..... ..... hmmm.... thinking cap is on..
if you are suppose to be digging the garden then your not 'at' work..... I'm AT work ! !

not planning on 'fixed' external exhausting, surely it could go into a filter box of some sort (thinking of the renters out there )

look what you've started @SirSpider !!
 
How dare you, not at work indeed, do I need to post a picture of my bruised and battered hands to prove gardening is dangerous hard work ;) LOLOL. I do live in a scorpion area, redbacks galore, jeez and if you've seen the ground here its like digging bricks, not fun LOL..Not work indeed LOL.

Oh the residual caffine kicked in a little later and designed up a professionally drafted idea for a deluxe model LOL, can we call it the super-sucker?

....and if someone makes a million dollars from this, you owe me a bottle of aged scotch and it better be as old as the pyramids LOL, but had a twist on the idea.

Airflow table.jpg

LOL....I gotta give up coffee....
 
Are you sure it was only caffeine in that cup. ?lollol
Good job :)
I've just got home so I'll top up on caffeine and dissect your blueprints :)
 
ok, so now I've had chance to consider your blueprints I don't think you can be expecting a bottle of aged anything anytime soon:D although I will give you a big :thumbsup: for effort
although I can see the appeal of using the airhockey table, especially if you can remove it and use it as it was intended while you wait for inspiration....
but I cant see where you put your drinks ?

what I have in my head is somewhat more aesthetically appealing and a little on the lighter side its just a matter of getting it all to work that will be the challenge as I have neither an electrical or engineering background lollol

I know of a J58 going cheap, a bit of cunning ducting and you'll be right, it also burns off any unwanted chemicals so it doesn't annoy your neighbors. Remember to tie down all small objects including chairs, desks, children and pets. You will also need a kidney belt and grade 5+ ear defenders! :)

@Squishy may be interested, I hear she spends way too much time doing housework....
 
I would as a geek computer builder be remiss if I didn't warn you about two things. 1 power supply have unshielded wiring inside and a fan that sucks air in to cool them. This can lead to sparks. 2 most pc fans are also unshielded. In these cases any paint with fumes could ignite. Just be very careful with pc fans and pc power supplies.
 
^ Cool so where building a bomb then....Love it, even more fun now LOL..but I would use brushless fans myself...just in case LOL and power supply could be mounted externally.

"but I cant see where you put your drinks ?"

Damn new I forgot something LOL. The main reason behind the hockey table was indeed so ya can flip it up and play air hockey when bored of painting :) but I wasn't thinking a full sized one Haha, would be a bit heavy, I'm thinking the little kiddie styled ones and just mod and reverse the airflow, the advantage is its likely already all plumbed up for the idea, the outer shroud would then attach to that at the right height with use of spacers and leave a perfect 2-3 mm gap around the entire unit so it wouldnt only suck through all the little holes but also around the periphery. having the unit detach would give it multiple function in comparison to a solid built one but can't wait to see what ya come up with..Might get of me bum and make one meself when the bathrooms finished..

Still can't believe I forgot a drink holder....Damn. LOL
 
I would as a geek computer builder be remiss if I didn't warn you about two things. 1 power supply have unshielded wiring inside and a fan that sucks air in to cool them. This can lead to sparks. 2 most pc fans are also unshielded. In these cases any paint with fumes could ignite. Just be very careful with pc fans and pc power supplies.

Great warning, :)
I thought most PC fans were brushless these days ? regardless, the one I've picked has 'Fluid Dynamic Bearings' (oooohh , sounds impressive LOL) and as for the power supply I've got what is essentially a laptop power supply.
I will go 'overkill' with the fans rather than underkill, I may have to strap myself into the chair LOL. I always seem to take things beyond the 'that will do' level.

This wont happen overnight, but it will happen. I've got the plans in my head (lots of room in there) but will draft something on paper before I dive in.
Cardboard prototype before I start using more permanent material.

just ducting and filtering to think about now.....

^

Still can't believe I forgot a drink holder....Damn. LOL

Stubbie holder and a nail gun to the side of the hockey table.......... solvered lol
 
"Stubbie holder and a nail gun to the side of the hockey table.......... solvered lol"

Figured out why I didn't add one...Cans never last long enough to put em down LOLOL, m8 add so many fans that thing takes off LOL
 
here's another option for you

upload_2015-8-27_8-19-13.png

with the fans only creating ~25dB of noise I think I can safely go more than one without too much white noise happening..... again, with consideration to others in the house, they may not appreciate the stereo on at 2am to drown out the fans LOL
 
UPDATE:
fans and power supply sorted. now the fun begins.... what size, !!
 
UPDATE:
fans and power supply sorted. now the fun begins.... what size, !!
Well im late to the party, but a simple filter for waterbased needs is easy.. add in a diy carbon exhaust canister and the air is cleaner than before you started painting..

Activated carbon is available at any place that sells aquariums. Its been on my mind to build one lately... thought of an hrv home built but i have enough air leaks in my house.

A 6inch thick filter made for house air cleaning is available from hvac suppliers for a lot less than home improvement store "good" filters. If your only doing waterbased a box fan will pull it.
 
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