Breathe Clean Air - Workshop air filter [video 464] 

You must continue your rants about the short cable, maybe there is an opportunity for you to set up the RSPSC (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Short Cables) then you could do petitions and deleiver to Downing Street, then a few years a knighthood for your hard work and dedication towards reducing people's suffering from short cables. :-D :-D

Agreed - short cables are right up there with "impenetrable packaging" as ways to spoil the acquisition/ownership experience. Plus, looking at it up there on your ceiling, if you DID have a ceiling mounted socket (which, as someone already pointed out, might be considered "normal practice" for such a device) then the cable has to be routed "up" and is likely to therefore obscure the control panel. The logical placement for the cable entry would be on the top surface - anywhere else will result in awkward routing of the cable .Furthermore, those redundant rubber feet would annoy the hell out of me. Every time I looked up at the damned thing that I'd see those flaws and scowl!

I'm guessing the reason for the short cable is that they expect you to have ceiling mounted sockets, which are quite common in more industrial settings. I'd personally rather they didn't bother with a cable at all and just put a regular 'kettle plug' connector on so I can just use my own cable without having to splice it!

Try sticking a couple of carpet tiles or rubber gym floor tiles to the wall and ceiling around the air scrubber, the DB has probably increased due to sound reflecting off the brick walls and concrete ceiling, it helped with my air compressor. Great video as always

LOL a lot of guys complaining about short cables on here Peter ,myself ive got a nice long cable on mine and its totally portable on wheels and made it from an old furnace squirrel fan and three stage motor two micro filters on the sides ,i think its one of the best ones i have ever had ,working in someones home keeps all the dust and pushes only fresh air and it doesnt make a lot of noise either (probably the fan style ),and keeps the nasties at bay

I totally appreciate your short mains cable rants!

I'm friendly with my local axminster equivalent. They told me that including the jet these units all come out of the same factory or two. They're rebranded products for the tool manufacturers to expand their offerings. Getting one has been one of the best decisions for my workshop.

For a fixed in place piece of equipment I don't mind the short cable, if anything its mostly likely done for safety, reducing the chance of somebody snagging or catching the cable in whats intended to be a somewhat industrial work environment. In the case of this air scrubber (which looks fantastic) I think running a piece of conduit and installing a dedicated mains socket within the cables distance will result in a much after environment and for similar fixed in place tools id expect similar. British electrical regulations are some of the strictest and safest going so I wouldn't rule out that being a factor. As for short cables on powertools, such as the sander, there really is no excuse and on that front your completely correct.

I've been looking at this exact unit the last few days ... never clicked so fast on a new video

Just a thought. In most cases I agree with you about cord length. However considering a machine that is both heavy and intended to be stationary, I believe 6 feet is far more then adequate. One simply uses an extension to feed to power source. But for portable, easy to maneuver tools, I agree, its frustrating. But regardless, just keep being you. I love your opinions and insights.

Hahahah brilliant , thanks Peter, as you know I'm with you on the short cable thing,and also.....tools that will not go back into their plastic cases once taken out!! Great vid as always, thanks again, keep safe.

100% agree on the short cable issue. I recently bought some LED lighting panels for a over-head light box I was making and on opening the packaging found the cable leading from the lamp to the driver was 180mm and 200mm from the driver to the point of power. What a joke. So yes, full sympathy offered to all fellow "angry old men"!!

I have the same air cleaner in my workshop and the first job on installation was to cut the plug off and connect it via a switched outlet. However I’m very pleased with the performance as you can quite literally smell the difference in the air.

A Festool type power cable connector would be useful this would enable the end user to select the correct length of power cable.

I have a similar air filter in my garage and struggled with the ceiling height with the filter in the optimal central position. The solution I came up with was to fit parallel scaffolding rails running from one side of the garage to the middle of the garage on which the filter slides. I fitted sections of 40mm plastic pipe, with rubber end connectors at each end, over the rails and attached the filter chains over these, which helps the unit slide and keeps it tucked right up to the ceiling. When not in use, the unit slides to rest above shelving and I pull it out into the middle of the room and set it on the timer when I leave the garage.

First things to do when you get a new power tool (corded): 1. Throw away the warranty papers as you're about to lose warranty anyway 2. Replace cord with a 10m rubber cord

👍👍👍 Peter! Keep on about cable lengths, i constantly drill holes in my head to release the steam from my fuming rants every time I realise I have to extend yet another power cord.

I agree with you Peter. It seems like most power tool companies these days scrimp on the cables to save money! I think that all power tools should come with at least a 3-4 metre cable and at times a 5 metre one, especially if its something like a ceiling mounted piece of kit like this item. I know they expect you to have a power socket at ceiling height these days for this item but if you don't then its a real pain in the backside!!

so enjoy you channel, clean, clear and to the point, i have learnt so much from you in the short time i have been watching.

I’ve had my unit for several years including a workshop move. Still working well with monthly cleans of both filters. I have to admit that I leave mine on low for 24 hours whenever I’m working. I’m adding a shop made fan, much more powerful and designed only for short bursts whilst I’m cutting MRMDF particularly. That unit is built around a Vevor 12” extractor unit with filters both sides and portable being on a pedestal style mobile trolley - it is a beast in terms of extraction and noise; certainly only bearable when I’m wearing the ear defenders which is most of the time when I’m running any machine plus the normal dust extractor/cyclone set up.

Record assumes that if you are using a ceiling mounted unit, you will have a receptacle located on the ceiling close by. More likely a company controller(comptroller) went through the manufacturing operation and told them they could save 50,000 (pick your currency) a year by shortening the cable. Someone gets a bonus and a very nice vacation .

Great info Peter. Don't bloody well get me started on short mains cables!

In the states, I’ve bought the Wen which looks identical. My mount point was only a couple feet from my garage door opener, so there was already a power outlet.

You dont even need to ask, everyone will be with you on the cable issue. I was pleasantly surprised with mafell mt55 with 5m cable, it went around 2.2m rail in both directions withou having to be pulled and adjusted.. then I got starmix extractor, 5m of cable and 5m hose, heaven. All devices and corded tools and some appliances (the stuff that isnt required to be hardwired) should have some sort of lockable socket with a cover, that would sort it all and wouldnt cost more than a cable when new models are designed from the scratch.

Ah Peter, what really grates my cheese is cheap plastic coated cables on power tools. I always end up buying a new plug and replacing the flex with a good quality appropriately sized rubber flex. Usually longer too…. Huge upgrade from that terrible bean can filter. Nice one 👍🏻

Wholeheartedly with you on short cables Peter. Also agree with another commentator on problem of unpacking equipment and associated packaging debris. Around here (N Wales) cardboard is removed for free but polystyrene has to go in non-recycling bin which only gets emptied once a month. This inevitably fills valuable space up - new rant materials!

I think the expectation and electric preference is that you have a wall plug near the ceiling. 1.8 meters to the nearest wall makes sense.

6:35 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂👍👍👍👍 I hear you loud & clear brother!

Thanks for this review, which was serendipitously timely for me. Just bought one, exactly what was needed at my work.

I bought the same unit for my shop beginning of the year, best thing I ever did. Really does make a huge difference! Fortunately I have a high fitted socket so the short was was a bonus. I put mine up hook on hook so no chains, makes it even less noisy.

In My short personal experience the short cable problem seems to be mostly a British problem. I've imported some axminister tools and they have on average a much shorter cable than the other tools I've bought domestic here in Sweden. An electrician friend of mine said that the UK had much higher demands on electric cable quality than what we have in Sweden. Maybe there is something to that. Higher quality copper and sleeving makes for a more expensive cable, so they might be shortening it to be able to sell it for the same price in the UK as the rest of the world that gets a longer but worse quality cable?

Your short cable rants are hilarious. I take issue with all cables because I either have make/buy an extension cord or I’m neatly bundling/modifying a long one. My preference, particularly for units like that is a flanged, locking inlet. Then I build a cable to length. My guess is the manufacturer is providing an obviously short length then leave it up to the end user to make a custom extension cord. Saves them some cord materials as well.

Hi Peter, I’m with you on your short cable annoyance. I’ve run my Axminster version with an extension for a year or so now mounted on a shelf rather than the supplied chains as my ceiling is in excess of 3m (my workshop is a unit in a converted mill) so access to the ceiling isn’t easy and I didn’t fancy manhandling the not insubstantial unit up a ladder! Works great even though I’m pushing mine at the limit of its specs at 300sqft. They aren’t quiet, but my lungs appreciate it…..

I agree with your thoughts on cable lengths.

I’ll be honest Peter and say it’s not really been something that’s brought a sense of frustration to me, but I totally hear you. I have noticed since getting into the world of Festool myself that the leads are noticeably longer and better quality, maybe that’s why it’s more noticeable? I have that unit’s cousin from Rutlands, and the way I got round it was to get an electrician to wire in a plug socket *upside down* so the flex would point up to the ceiling and then used cable ties to pick up the flex. Call it an abstract solution, but works for me 😁😂

I see a of2000 in the background while you're demonstrating the air filter. Would love a video on it, I've got a couple and there's nothing about them anywhere on the internet. Could watch it after I setup my new air filter 😂

Your dead right about the length of cables in general Peter, ridiculous !!!! I've had a feeling all these machines are made in a factory in China and just re-badged accordingly. Seems to be the way many machines are made and sold at the moment, and mattresses too for that matter if you have seen any TV adverts recently !!

I mostly agree with you regarding cable lengths. Any hand tool should come with at least 3m of cable and it should be nice, soft, flexible cable. Fixed equipment like this though is a tougher call. The 2m you got was neither here nor there. It's not enough to route from the ceiling to a plug and it's too much if you have a plug fitted on the ceiling. On something like this if it has a fixed cable I think I'd rather a short cable on this to save waste and accept that I'll probably need to put a longer cable. One option would be to fit a IEC "kettle" socket on the device as you can get long made up leads easily.

Peter I wholly agree with your rants on short cables it's ridiculous the amount of cable supplied with expensive machinery, also change the cable and it could void the warranty whichever way we seem to be the losers

I've got this one and it really is a great bit of kit. I have a single car garage as a workshop which also has things like cycles, tumble dryer and other kitchen related stuff. Dust, therefore, needs to be kept at a minimum. Prior to having this a fine layer of dust accumulated quickly over everything, now the situation is much better. I highly recommend this one, though I suspect the other brands are simply rebadged butthe same unit. Oh, and 1.8m is a bit short. I've had to use an extension lead fitted high up! Pain in the bum.

Came for the tool review, stayed for the hooks with drill tip. Also (even though this video is old), I could imagine workshops having power outlets on the ceiling, in which case a long cable would be annoying. BUT: Why can't we just have replacable cables like all PCs and lots of other electronic devices have? Why do cables have to be soldered onto the board in the device somewhere we are not supposed to touch it?

Short cables annoy me too. Although it depends on context - a toaster, for example, doesn't need a long cable whereas a vacuum cleaner does.

Nicely timed as I want to look at this as I DESPISE mess and dust

Hi peter had one of these for a couple of years now and they are fantastic wouldn't be without one now clears my 30ft x 15ft workshop of any dust in no time only downside is manufacturers want you to buy new filters I just vacuum my out till they wear out then its about £15 for a new one the internal cloth one can be washed

Angry man yelling at clouds. Loved the reference!

I spent a year designing my “new shop” 25 years ago. I installed 8 outlets in the ceiling, with 4 controlled by switches. (Old electrician here with OCD). So when I installed my ambient air scrubber I plugged it in a ceiling outlet and just flip a switch to turn it on. I really like mine. It works very well. At the end of a day I put on a respirator, crank up my air compressor and blow the dust off machines. I come back in an hour blow off the fine settled dust again. Let it run an hour and now it’s just the floor needing cleaning. I also have an attic fan and a metal ducted commercial cyclone with drops to all machines. I think My lungs are worth it! Thanks love your videos!

I have receptacles on my garage ceiling for my plunge saw, CT15 dust extractor, and retractable electric cords for various power tools and small compressor.

First off, power leads. For permanent installations such as your air-wash I’d cut it short and install a socket next to it. My personal hate is miles of stringy cables dangling everywhere. Secondly my solution to the air-wash is cheaper, easier and definitely quieter. I have extraction on machines that is drowned out by the machine itself when in use but as a general air-wash I installed a large xpelair fan in the wall at the clean end of my workshop that pulls air in, and a window (but a vent would do) at the dirty end. That way my fan is easily drowned out by my radio when working all day and the air is replaced by clean air constantly with no filters to faff about with. I don’t have a fancy meter but a glance at the light will show if those tiny dust particles are hanging. Love the videos, always provoke thought.

I love it! Rant about the cable being too short, but then … it isn’t 🤣. Great video though as always mate. Nothing more important than to have clean air in your lungs!

and you have the exact same SDS - mine is ancient from B&Q and only cost about £30. Excellent bit of kit.

Cables will always be too short or too long. But they are getting to be annoyingly short. MY solution was to cut them all back to being about 3" long and then use a power/vacuum hose combination to power all my tools. My shop is even smaller than yours. Sticking with my 20" box fan with a good air filter taped to the front. It's amazing how much junk that $20 solution can pull out of the air. Keep up the great work.

I'm reminded of your video on remote controlled dust collector failure mode. There is a similar risk with these units. These air filters require to have part of the circuit powered up permanently to receive and decode the remote control signals. The power supply is known to have a weak design suffered by many owners and written about in a well known UK WW forum. I hope your unit does not suffer this fault. To prolong life I would strongly suggest wiring it to a part of your power system that you can shut down when you leave the workshop. This will mean you can't run the timer unless you are in the shop. My shop wiring is split and most sockets turn off when the door is locked only leaving a few sockets on for things like battery charging.

Hey Peter, good good good choice. I have two of them in my shop and their work so great. Have fun with your new AC400 ;-)

In my small workshop, I have two power outlets on my ceiling. So no problem with the short cable (in my case it is still too long)

You've got a point about the cable length but fortunately I had already installed high plugs so wasn't an issue for me. I bought mine years ago and it's been good. I had a problem with the main PCB and they posted out a new one quick sharp.

I too have the Record AC400, been using it for about 15 months. No issues with the cable length! - just ran a spur to a single socket fitted to the ceiling - the only criticism is that the remote needs to be pointed very directly at the red dot. The chains and hooks idea were very awkward so I made a "cradle-cum-shelf" attached to the ceiling from 3 x 2 CLS and an OSB board for the unit to sit on (it gets it higher up, close to the ceiling in my single-garage workshop) - it also has a small timber pocket in the cradle to house the remotes for the unit and for my dust extraction system (I'm tall so no problem with reach!) A quick vacuum of the replaceable filter now and again prolongs its life. I seldom use MDF nowadays but when I do I have the machine running at full speed and leave it on for a good hour after I've finished - it works a treat. Oh, and I've solved the cord length issue for a lot of my tools - it's called a battery :-))

I fitted the exact same unit back in January, but with limited headroom it sits on a custom shelf that's mostly anchored to a storage rack. The length of cable wasn't an issue for me as I knew I'd need to run a dedicated socket to that position. I'm very pleased with the noise level when working and performance, it didn't take long for the nice white filter to turn brown! 😂

You can blame Esther Rantzen for the short cables. She championed shorter cables for all appliances because of accidents in kitchens, where tots got scalded by pulling kettles off worktops. And the kettles have those stands too, so you don't get caught out when you get to the end of your tether.

Thanks Peter. I need something like this for my workshop I think it will work better than opening the garage door lol 😆

Hi Peter,, great video. Your rant is totally justified, it seems that short cables are common place. Can you imagine a 6' cable on a vac, or mower? One thing I'm impressed by is Record's customer service, I have a band saw that arrived damaged due to the care of the delivery guys. Rang Record and within 3 days I had a replacement motor cowl, followed up by a call from Record.

Ive got this one and had it for over 7 years, its good but i totally agree about the length of cable

I have one of these, had it for years. It is the exact same as many identical but different colour Chinese variations. A tip is to improve filter life and efficiency is to use spray booth filtration fiberglass matting ( the fine one) in a double layer in front of the pre filter. This can be hoovered off regularly and really helps filtration. It is interesting to put a bit after the exhaust, or a tack rag. You can see that quite a lot of very fine dust does escape. It works OK. Never on anything but maximum speed, but I think I could make a better one with pre and post impeller filtration.

Hi Peter, it is a lot quieter than the other one you were using and I know I am not in your workshop but it came over very quiet on this video and a lot quieter than most of your shop tools, I tested some of my tools and even the battery operated drill was worse for noise. As I normally will not run any tools without hearing protection I was very impressed with that noise level.

I'm with you on short cables.

Feel so smug for once that I purchased this 12 months ago instead of rushing out after each of your videos to buy everything you demonstrate on your channel. Quick tip if you cannot hang it from chains is to use microwave brackets instead as they extend out enough for the rubber feet to sit upon. As usual excellent video Peter, you are the zen woodwork master…….and yes the damn cable was too short and I had to fit an extension to it. Also in true Peter rant why do they bring the cable out of the machine right under the controls, it looks so awkward on my machine, it should come out of the side.

I’ve found Bosch professional tools have made a point of supplying a longer than standard (whatever standard is) cable for their power tools and bring your attention to this in their tool ads (The Alan Holtham ones I’ve seen anyway) They also make a point of making sure there is plenty of space in the L-box to fit the cable in when packing away. I have their track saw and body grip jigsaw. Hope the air scrubber works out for you Peter 👍

Peter, you kinda shot down your own argument when you plugged it in with cable to spare. 😎

Bought a wall mounted dust extractor and a bobbing sander a few years back. The extractor came with over 15 foot of cable and the sander only had about 4 foot. So in the end I cut the cable for the extractor in 1/2 to use on the sander.

That was a great review. I agree about the short cable.

As an electrician I've always just added power points where needed or replaced the lead from the machine. If you do replace the lead make sure you don't undersize the cable as that's a great way to cause problems for your machine and nuisance trip breakers

Hi Peter. great video as always! Ironically I've just fitted the same machine to my workshop this morning and went through exactly the same routine as yourself. I would agree, the cable length is quite short (not as bad as the Hyundai compressor), I had to make an extension for this work as needed. Also quite happy for me, quite quiet and hopefully should do the job. Keep up the great videos - looking forward to next week. Have a great day

From memory, (it’s been awhile) mains cables on portable equipment with a CE mark are restricted to 1.8m we had no end of problems with vending machines with the mains cable entering near the top at the back & not being long enough to reach a socket near the skirting board! Factory (who we were part off) couldn’t make them any longer!

I have this unit too and really like it; the timer feature is great. The cable was *exactly* the right length to reach my closest socket - had it been 5cm shorter, I’d have been sharing your frustration! 😄

As always, another informative video. Please do follow up on how it performs in your workspace and how it best functions, i.e. during cutting/sanding or after or both. I intend on getting one at some point so the follow up info would be greatly appreciated

I bought a used one a few months back and use a Zigbee infrared blaster to control it via Alexa and have custom running durations.

I have one of these, and you know it's working when you spend a day machining and sanding Padauk and in the evening the back of the filter is turning red!

I like the 'kettle' connector analogy & better still they could offer a range of cable lengths so you can buy what you need.

Peter, in the video one thing you said was "... Record power, obviously British made". This isn't correct. Yes - Record Power are a British company, but just like all the other units you mentioned the machine is actually made in China. You're not getting a British Made device - other products like CamVac are, however.

I have one of these and agree with the cable issue. I had to buy a single socket extention and run it up the wall and across the ceiling. My only complaint with this machine is it starts on low and when turning on you have to wait for about 5 seconds to adjust it. Thanks for the videos

thank you for this outstanding review of the ac400! there are other reviews of this unit on youtube with far less useful information. Sadly these videos will be ranked higher on youtubes search results.

I would suggest you rename this video if YT allows it. You are the only person I know who calls it an air 'scrubber' and if I was after an air filter I would search the word 'filter' and might work better on the YT algorithm. Great video. I plan on buying the axminster version of this as they sell charcoal filters which I think will be useful when using finishes with high VOCs. This might fit the record power model though too.

Thanks for covering that unit. So far I have gotten by with two of those 20" box fans with hepa filters on the back of each. According to my fancy dylos pro particle meter, they do a really good job. I have noticed they have better air flow with the 2" hepa filters than the 1" ones. So to get more air flow through the fans, the thicker filters provide more surface area and so would filter more air. I have one hung on my ceiling out of the way and one on the floor for my 23x20 garage shop (it is half full of 'stuff' so there is far less air than a full 23x20 space though. :) ). In any case that unit you got, other than the power cord issue, looks like it should work ok.

Great unit and agree about the short cable! Crazy! Mine's been great but has had a board change and did come back battered with a crap job of the front decal being reapplied but apart from that, it's a quiet (at least in my space) addition I wouldn't be without. I do wish the IR remote was better too; have to point it directly at the front panel.

As an electrician I'm in favor of short cables, particular for items that are fixed appliances like the air filter. Its much better to see a socket or spur put next to the unit even if you then remotely switch the socket from a convenient point.

Another great review. Perhaps at some point you can compare the Wen/Jet products to this one.

Seems a great addition to the workshop Pete, will be interesting to see how you find it over a duration and what readings your getting.

It's not you Peter, I feel the same about mains cable lengths. I can only assume that manufacturers fit them in order to avoid trip hazards in the workshop. I have a Charnwood table saw and Charnwood bandsaw, both of which barely reach a convenient socket. I will probably end up rewiring both machines in order to use them more conveniently. John McGrath (Man in Shed) published a video warning about the use of extension cables.

Thanks Peter, that was exactly my first reaction when I got it a few months ago. You took the words right out of my mouth, translated to English 😂👍. I would have happilly paid a bit more for a longer cable or at least the possibility to plug in a longer cable as others already mentioned. Apart from the too short cable and the somewhat bitchy remote control (you have to aim for the receiver) I am pretty happy. It is mounted under the ceiling but further away from the wall than you did it. For me the noise level is ok and although I have no particle counter to measure, the air in my small hobby workshop feels much better/cleaner now. Would be interesting to get an update on this after some time of use.

Just a thought is the cable short because of a voltage drop? When you come to change the front and back filter medium you will be amazed what the filter has picked up if the filter is set to height min/max levels. I would not discard the thor filter which is probably being overworked in a workshop of that size. I have a thor (not that model) In conjunction with my rp 400 For sanding then it comes into its own.

Interesting vid Peter,I have just been considering buying one as I have so much work to do on my flat that I have recently purchased. I have loads of work,(Renovation) to do. And the dust created is ridiculous. But I don’t think that it would be quiet enough for me. It would be running a “lot” and I think just to noisy for the poor neighbours. But it would solve the problem of dust.

I had a garage opener with about the same length of cable. We had to provide a ceiling mounted outlet.

Nice to see one of these covered. I have been considering one for a while, and previously used a cooker extractor until the noise just became too much. I suspect the short cable is to get round the radio frequency interference readings. My shed has a fairly low roof, probably 7' at the apex so one of these would have to be somewhere I'm not going to knock my head on it, Good review though. Thanks

The short cable assumes you have a run of power receptacles in your ceiling. Otherwise you would have a big bundle of wrapped cord to bind and store. If not, it’s easy to add an extension cord m

Peter completely agree about cable lengths Surely it’s a design flaw for a ceiling mounted unit. Keep moaning

I get where you coming from its a bit of flex! Bought a £500 Festool sander this week, they managed to pack ONE sanding sheet in the box!!!

A lot of USA stuff comes with a removable cable, you can just buy a longer cable if you need one. Or you get a SPARKY in to add an outlet.

In terms of noise reduction once it’s hanging, worth trying to add some sort of rubber ring support between chain and hook to further dampen vibration and hence reduce some unwanted noise. It’s unlikely to yield high reduction but worth a try.

Hi Peter I think you will find the remote annoying as it's not very sensitive and needs directly pointing straight in front of the machine, apart from that it does exactly what you want it to do. 😊

😁 Thanks for the video Peter. I would love one of these units, but really wouldn't have the ceiling space 😔. Just quickly on the cable length issue. We just brought a Makita multi tool as a birthday pressie for our eldest.... I nearly passed out when I see it had an almost 6 meter good quality lead as standard 😃. Looks like the word is spreading.... finally. Thanks Peter 😁👍