Honest Comparison · Three Brands · One Authorized Dealer
Industrial Downdraft Tables: MicroAir vs. Plymovent vs. ICAP
You’re trying to pick the right downdraft table for welding, grinding, or fabrication. Three brands compared side by side. Or skip the comparison and order an ICAP table online today: ships in as little as 1 week from $8,995.
Four sizes: SD23 · SD34 · SD46 · SD48 · 1,500–6,000 CFM
DustHog and SmogHog equipment
DustHog downdraft and bench units we supply
A downdraft bench pulls the dust away from the operator before it reaches their face. These are the units we supply at the bench.
DustHog VB Downdraft Bench
Pulls dust down and away from the operator at the bench.
See DustHog VB specsDustHog VF Fixed Ducted Collector
A ducted cartridge unit for a fixed process that runs every shift.
See DustHog VF specsDustHog VP Portable Collector
Rolls to the work when the work moves around the shop.
See DustHog VP specsDustHog Dust Collectors
The full DustHog line, from portable benches to 102,000 CFM modular cartridge.
See the DustHog lineNot sure which of these fits your floor? Tell us what your process puts into the air and we will size it against your actual conditions.
Get a free system reviewYour right answer depends on what you’re cutting, how often, and how big your work pieces are. There’s no single “best” industrial downdraft table, just the right match for your application, and a table is one piece of the broader industrial dust collection equipment we carry. The good news: you have a fast self-service path and a custom-designed path, and you can use this page to jump straight to whichever one fits.
Alongside DustHog downdraft benches, we’re authorized dealers for MicroAir Extreme Air-Max, Plymovent DraftMax, and the ICAP Self-Cleaning Downdraft Table Quick Ship line, shipping in as little as 1 week, in 4 sizes. Since we sell all three downdraft table manufacturers, we have no reason to push one over another. Here’s the honest breakdown.
Quick answer: MicroAir gives you more CFM and larger work surfaces, ideal for heavy grinding and big parts, plus wet downdraft tables for combustible metals. Plymovent DraftMax has superior backdraft capture for welding-heavy shops. ICAP Quick Ship is the fast self-service path. Order online from $8,995, ships in as little as 1 week. All three are professional-grade.
Just need a table fast? Skip the comparison and order online.
See Sizes & Prices →Ships in as Little as 1 Week
ICAP Self-Cleaning Downdraft Tables: Buy Online Now
Your shop needs a table fast and your application is straightforward: bench welding, grinding, plasma, or general metal fab. Pick a size, pick a grate, plug it in. Four sizes from 1,500 to 6,000 CFM, 99.97% nanofiber filtration, push-button pulse cleaning.
120V plug-in (16.6 A)
3/4 HP direct-drive
350 lbs · single pallet
230V/460V 3-phase
3 HP direct-drive
~700 lbs
230V/460V 3-phase
5 HP direct-drive
~1,000 lbs
230V/460V 3-phase
10 HP direct-drive
~1,400 lbs
Every ICAP table ships standard with:
99.97% nanofiber FR cartridge (146 sq ft) · Push-button pulse cleaning · Triple-layer spark protection · Prewired LED work light · Side and back shields · Locking caster wheels · Fiberglass or steel grate (no charge for either) · 1-year manufacturer warranty · Fully assembled, no install required
Read this before you order online
When you configure and order online, you’re sizing the table yourself based on your application. That’s the right path for straightforward bench welding, grinding, and metal fab, and it’s faster and cheaper. Online orders are self-service and self-configured, which keeps them separate from our custom-system program. If you need a system designed around NFPA 660 or an OSHA citation response, book a free system review instead. That’s the custom design path. Or call us first at 602-456-9661. 10 minutes on the phone beats a wrong-size return.
Brand Overview
Downdraft Table Manufacturers Compared
MicroAir
Extreme Air-Max Series · Since 1969
If you’re grinding big parts or pushing high dust volume, you want CFM and surface area, and that’s where MicroAir leads. Their high-CFM, modular Extreme Air-Max tables use a proprietary Roto-Pulse cleaning system that delivers 30–40% better cartridge cleaning than standard reverse-jet pulse. You get four self-contained sizes plus ducted and wet-collection models to match your work.
Best For:
→ Heavy grinding and deburring
→ Large work pieces (up to 4’×8′ surface)
→ High-CFM applications (up to 6,000 CFM)
→ Combustible dust with HYDROMAX wet tables
→ Shops needing maximum configurability
Plymovent
DraftMax Series · 50+ Years Worldwide
If your bench is mostly welding, your fume rises fast, and Plymovent’s DraftMax is built for exactly that. You get dual capture: 80% of the air pulls through the back panel, 20% through the work grid, so the fume is caught before it reaches your breathing zone. Pick from light-duty, heavy-duty, HEPA, Eco (ducted), and plasma cutting configurations.
Best For:
→ Welding-heavy shops (MIG, TIG, stick)
→ Stainless steel welding (HEPA/W-3 option)
→ Vocational schools and training facilities
→ Shops needing backdraft + downdraft capture
→ Plasma cutting (dedicated grid model)
ICAP Quick Ship: Ready to Order
Don’t need a custom-designed system? Our ICAP self-cleaning downdraft tables ship in as little as 1 week from $8,995, with the same 99.97% nanofiber filtration, push-button pulse cleaning.
Capture Direction
Downdraft vs. Backdraft Tables: What’s the Difference?
If you’re cross-shopping “downdraft” and “backdraft” tables, you’re really asking one question: which direction does the table pull contaminated air? The answer should match what you’re actually doing: grinding throws particles down, welding sends fume up.
Downdraft: pulls air down through the grate
A downdraft table draws contaminated air straight down through a grated work surface into the filter below. Heavy particles (grinding sparks, metal fines, sanding dust) fall in that direction naturally, so downdraft capture is highly effective for grinding, deburring, and dry metal fab.
Best when:
→ You’re grinding, deburring, or sanding
→ Parts lie flat on the work surface
→ Dust and sparks fall rather than rise
Backdraft: pulls air back and across
A backdraft table adds a rear panel that pulls air horizontally behind the work piece. Welding fume rises fast and drifts back, so a backdraft panel catches it before it reaches the breathing zone. Plymovent’s DraftMax uses an 80% backdraft / 20% downdraft split built specifically for welding.
Best when:
→ You’re welding (MIG, TIG, stick)
→ Fume rises off vertical or tall work
→ You want capture behind the operator’s hands
Most modern industrial tables blend both. A combined downdraft + backdraft table handles a mixed shop (weld in the morning, grind in the afternoon) without two separate stations. If your work is split, lean toward a table with a strong backdraft panel; if it’s grinding-dominant, prioritize downdraft CFM and a steel grate. Not sure which way your dust actually moves? See how we approach welding & metal fab capture or call 602-456-9661.
Self-Contained Models
Self-Contained Downdraft Tables: Side by Side
Self-contained units have integrated filtration, with no external collector or ductwork needed. Plug in and go.
MicroAir: Extreme Air-Max (Self-Contained)
Plymovent: DraftMax (Self-Contained)
ICAP Quick Ship: Self-Cleaning Downdraft Tables (Buy Online)
All four sizes ship in as little as 1 week · Push-button pulse cleaning · 99.97% nanofiber filtration
Ducted Models
Ducted Downdraft Tables: Connect to Your Collector
No integrated filtration. These tables connect to a central baghouse or cartridge collector via ductwork. Lower upfront cost per table, better for multi-station shops.
MicroAir: Ducted Dry Tables
If you already run a central collector, these unpowered tables tie straight into it. You connect them to an external vacuum source or central dust collector, and the dual inlet keeps your airflow even across the surface.
DDT4830: 48″ × 30″ work surface, dual inlet
DDT7230: 72″ × 30″ work surface, dual inlet
Options: Back and side shields, soft-touch mat, casters.
Plymovent: DraftMax Eco (Ducted)
If you want DraftMax backdraft capture but you’re routing to your own collector, the Eco drops the cartridges. You connect it to an external fan and filtration system, keep the 80% backdraft / 20% downdraft split, and set your working height (31.5″–37.5″). Optional spark arresters protect your backdraft panel.
DraftMax Eco: 54″ × 30″ work surface
Recommended extraction: ~1,770–1,900 CFM
Max load: 550 lbs
Weight: 330 lbs
When Ducted Makes Sense
Ducted tables cost less per station because you’re sharing one central collector across multiple workstations. The tradeoff: you need ductwork, a collector, and potentially explosion protection.
5+ stations? → Ducted is usually cheaper overall
1–4 stations? → Self-contained is usually simpler
Combustible dust? → Wet table + wet collector (see below)
Mix and Match Stations
Running both dry grinding and combustible metal work? You can duct dry tables to a cartridge collector and route the combustible stations to a separate wet collector. We size both loops so airflow stays balanced.
For a multi-loop layout, book a free system review and we’ll model it before you buy ductwork.
Combustible Metals
Wet Downdraft Tables for Aluminum & Combustible Metals
If you’re grinding aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, those metal dusts are combustible. Wet collection is the preferred approach under NFPA 660, with outdoor dry collection as the recognized alternative. A wet downdraft table is what we recommend.
How a wet downdraft table works
When you grind reactive metal, the preferred approach is to wet the dust at the point of capture. A wet downdraft table pulls your contaminated air down through a water bath instead of a dry filter, capturing and deactivating volatile fines on contact, without the explosion venting, isolation valves, and chemical suppression a dry table would call for.
MicroAir HYDROMAX wet downdraft tables (WCDDT series) come in 24″, 48″, and 72″ widths and pair with a HYDROMAX wet collector.
When you need one
→ Grinding or finishing aluminum
→ Magnesium or titanium dust
→ Mixed combustible metal fines
→ Any process flagged combustible under NFPA 660 KSt testing
Wet downdraft tables are a custom-designed application. Sizing depends on your metal, your rate, and your layout. This is the custom design path.
Feature Comparison
Head-to-Head Feature Comparison
Online self-service orders are configured by the buyer and not part of that program.
Which One Is Right for You?
Quick Decision Guide
Choose MicroAir When…
→ You need a larger work surface (anything beyond 54″ × 30″)
→ You need more CFM for heavy grinding or high-volume dust
→ You’re working with combustible metals (aluminum, titanium): HYDROMAX wet tables are what we recommend
→ You want Roto-Pulse cleaning with manual override
→ You need multiple table sizes for different workstations
Choose Plymovent When…
→ Your primary operation is welding (the 80/20 backdraft split is designed for rising fume)
→ You weld stainless steel and need W-3 certified HEPA filtration
→ You run a vocational school or training program
→ You want adjustable work height for different operators
→ You need a dedicated plasma cutting configuration
Choose ICAP Quick Ship When…
→ You need a working table fast, not next month
→ Your application is straightforward: bench welding, grinding, plasma, soldering
→ You want fixed pricing online, with no waiting on a quote
→ You don’t need NFPA 660 documentation or a custom-designed system
Still Not Sure? That’s What We’re Here For.
Choosing the wrong downdraft table wastes money and doesn’t solve the problem. Call us at 602-456-9661. A short call confirms the right table for your shop. For complex applications, combustible dust, or NFPA 660 compliance work, book a free system review and we’ll design the right system.
Why Buy ICAP Online
Six Reasons Buyers Pick ICAP Quick Ship
Your Shop Is Working Sooner
Tables ship in as little as 1 week. No 6-week lead time, no waiting on freight estimates.
Your Price Is Visible Online
Four sizes, four prices. Freight calculates at checkout before you pay. No quote dance, no negotiation.
Your Filter Is Industrial-Grade
146 sq ft of nanofiber FR cartridge media, 99.97% efficient at 0.5 micron. Same filter spec as custom-designed systems costing 3× more.
Your Sparks Stay Contained
Triple-layer spark protection: drop-out tray, cartridge spark wrap, and FR-coated media. Welding sparks are not negotiable.
Your Setup Is Plug-and-Run
Every unit ships fully assembled on locking caster wheels. Roll it in, plug it in, your team is working. SD23 runs on a standard 120V outlet, no electrician needed.
Your Phone Call Is Free
Not sure which size? Call 602-456-9661. We’ll confirm the right size for your work, with no sales pitch and no obligation. Better to ask than ship the wrong one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Buyers Actually Ask
Keep Reading
Related Resources
Two Paths: Pick Yours
Order an ICAP table online, or get a free custom-system assessment.
Order ICAP Online
Pick a size, pick a grate, plug it in. Four sizes from $8,995.
Configure & OrderFree Assessment
For complex applications, multi-station shops, combustible dust, or NFPA 660 documentation. Free assessment.
Book Free System ReviewOr call 602-456-9661 · Serving manufacturing facilities nationwide.
Results from the floor
Downdraft tables at work
Your welders and grinders will tell you in a week whether a table works. Here is where we have put them, and how to check a table against your own process before you buy.
A welding lab on wheels
Central Arizona College built a mobile welding training lab that parks at a different site every time. We specified self-cleaning downdraft tables because they need power and nothing else, so the air stays clean wherever the trailer stops.
A fab shop that was too smoky
Your welders already know when the shop is too smoky. This write-up shows what clearing the haze looks like in a working fab shop, without a big system or a shutdown.
When a table is the wrong tool
If your parts do not fit on the table, or your welders walk around the work, a fume arm will capture more than a table will. The comparison shows where each one wins.