Replies

1. 
   Dave45 | Jan 10, 2009 06:14pm | #1

   I ran a Jet 650 cfm DC in my garage shop for a few years before upgrading to an 1100 cfm machine. My shop includes a TS, BS, small shaper, lunchbox planer, 6" joiner, and benchtop OSS. The "core" of my duct system is 4" metal HVAC ducting with 4" flex hose "drops" to the tools. Each "drop" is gated so I can open/close gates as necessary to collect from whatever machine I need to use. All duct seams and connections are taped with 2" pipe tape to eliminate leakage.

   With the 650 cfm unit, my system worked ok - but not great. I had to open/close my gates every time I moved to a different machine, and collection at the joiner and planer was sometimes iffy.

   Early last year, I got the 1100 cfm Jet and replaced the upper bag with a Dust Dog pleated filter. I also split my duct system to work with the double 4" inlets on the DC. The improvement in collection was amazing! Now, I get everything from my planer and joiner, and if I forget to close a gate, I still get decent collection.

   The moral to my story is that you may find the 650 cfm DC somewhat marginal. If possible, get a bigger unit.

1. 
   smajor | Jan 10, 2009 07:03pm | #2

   Thanks. The 720 unit has a 1 micron bag, and 20 sq feet of filtration area. The 720CT (cannister) model has 40 sq feet of filter area, but its 2 microns. Should I lean towards the cannister model and get an air filter?

1. 
   Dave45 | Jan 10, 2009 10:43pm | #3

   That will depend on how much really fine dust you're dealing with and how well your shop is ventilated. A tighter weave (lower micron rating) on the dust collection bag reduces the amount of dust that gets exhausted into the air, but it also reduces the air flow rate of your DC.In my garage shop (in sunny CA), my TS is at the garage door, and my planer and joiner are on roll around cabinets which are often used in the driveway with flex hose connections to the DC. Since I rarely work with the garage door closed, I have little need for an air filtration unit.OTOH, if I were working in a basement - or in a location where I couldn't leave the garage door open - I would probably have at least one filtration unit.In my earlier post, I was questioning the adequacy of a 650 cfm DC. I found mine to be ok, but sure appreciate having almost twice the flow rate.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 11, 2009 12:52am | #6

   I agree - and have the 50-760.  The 1,100 CFM is worth it and the 760 comes with the heavy felt bags.  Was thinking about getting a cartridge but haven't pulled the trigger yet.  The bags seem to work fine for me.

   The 1,100 gives you a bit more flexibility as you said, i.e. ooooops left a gate open, longer runs if necessary too.  I have mine setup with the 5" to 2 4" inputs, one 4" dedicated to stationary machines.

   The other is gated and used for the move arounds (chopsaw, planer, drum sander, BS and also used for the router table in the Uni extension wing.  I'll also use it for the overhead TS blade guard.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   Dave45 | Jan 11, 2009 01:38am | #7

   I'm in the process of figuring out a new 6" duct system "trunk" with 4" drops. The double 4" inlets on my Jet come off leaving a 6" inlet. With a bit of planning and scheming, I think that I can improve my system effenciency - and get rid of some of the 4" flex I'm currently using.The Dust Dog pleated filter is well worth the money. It has a handle dohickey that rotates two paddles inside the filter which knocks the dust down into the collector bag. Whenever I notice a drop in collection, a few quick turns of the handle brings things right back where I want.

   Edited 1/10/2009 5:41 pm by Dave45

2. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 11, 2009 01:43am | #8

   Ye know I never measured mine - might be 6" also.  Let me/us know how you make out? 

   I'm toying with the idea of putting mine downstairs in the woodshed underneath the shop and running a duct up through the floor under the island in the middle of the woodshop.

   Regards, Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

3. 
   Dave45 | Jan 11, 2009 05:19pm | #9

   I've often wished that I could move my DC somewhere outside my shop to cut down on the noise and gain a little more working space, but that ain't gonna happen here. I live in a typical tract house and try very hard to keep the noise down as much as possible. My neighbors are cool with me running my business here, so I don't want to rock anybody's boat. - lolYour idea could work just fine as long as you stick to the basic rules of a duct system - the shortest runs possible, smooth duct walls, and as few fittings (tees, elbows, sweeps, etc.) as possible.

2. 
   HHRancho | Jan 10, 2009 11:54pm | #4

   SM,.

   The 50-720 will work fine! If you are concerned with dust, you can get felt bags that increase the filtration, there are aftermarket bags and I believe Delta sells better bags as an accessory as well. I surface plained over 200 (linear) feet of 2 X 12 and never had a problem with the vac. or the plainer.

   Steve

1. 
   smajor | Jan 11, 2009 12:02am | #5

   Thanks, all. I appreciate the input. I don't have the budget for do-overs. This helps.