Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | May 06, 2007 06:28pm | #1

   "seems to have them out there continuously."  He manufactures them himself.  He has a web site, I seem to recall.  Personally, I can't understand taking up that kind of shop real estate for a separator, and that 180° bend coming out the top and feeding into a flex hose seems to me would cost quite a few CFM's.  Hooking it up to a jointer is one thing, to a table saw or planer quite another.  No experience here, but am (and have been) skeptical.

   What size DC were you thinking about hooking it into?

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   Quickstep | May 06, 2007 07:12pm | #2

   I wasn't planning on hooking into a DC, but rather using his cyclone and building my own DC as he shows in the attached picture, by adding a blower to the top. I want to add dust collection and I'm determined to have a cyclone. I like the Oneida Dust Gorilla and similar, but I'm just not able to get off that much cash. Buying a cyclone from this guy, then finding a deal on a blower seems like a budget consious alternative, but it's throw away if it doesn't work.

   
1. 
   forestgirl | May 06, 2007 08:41pm | #5

   Ah hah!  Fine idea.  The eBay feedback seems to indicate it is sturdy and well-made.  Too bad time constraints prevent people from giving feedback on performance per se, but you're right it might be worth the gamble.  I feel for you on the price of a cyclone -- it'll be a long time before I can afford one!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   [email protected] | May 06, 2007 10:00pm | #6

   Wood magazine did an article on a home made cyclone a few years back.  They still have plans available for sale on their site, for around$15, less if you download the pdf version, as opposed to a mailed hard copy. 

   Several people who hang out on rec.woodworking have built them and like them.  If you did some online research on current design, i.e. the nuetral vane, you could put one together quite inexpensively. 

1. 
   PlaneAround | May 07, 2007 01:57pm | #7

   There is a considerable amount of work involved in making your own cyclone, so if you're contemplating that, be prepared for a long haul. I elected to go the route of purchasing mine (Onieda air systems) as part of a complete dust collector system (their Pro 1500 model)and although it was a considerable investment for me, looking back, I'd do it again... but sooner.Speaking of cyclones, please keep in mind that the cyclone is merely one component of a dust collector. You still need the impeller, housing, motor, filter, stand and a bin to hold all those chips and dust. Think you're out of the woods yet? Nope! The ductwork comes next and that'll eat a big hole in your wallet, quickly.Again, though, the investment in terms of both money and time to do the complete installation was well worth it to me, for the health benefits alone.

1. 
   Quickstep | May 07, 2007 03:36pm | #8

   Sage advice indeed. I had not planned to go to that extent in my willingness to build my own. Sheet metal is not my friend. The savings from building it myself would be more than made up in band-aid expenses.

2. 
   mepmalahon | May 06, 2007 07:58pm | #3

   Why do you want a cyclone? Do you plan on sucking a few tree branches through your dust collection system? When you stop and think, who really does need a cyclone?

1. 
   mrbird90 | May 06, 2007 08:30pm | #4

   I have had all kinds of dust collectors over 35 years and the cyclone is the only way to go if you have a significant amount of chips and course dust, it keeps it all away from the filter, thus letting the filter handle the very finest dust. Obviously you have never used a cyclone type or you wouldn't be making the comment you did.

   Edited 5/6/2007 1:32 pm ET by mrbird90