Replies

1. 
   BG | Sep 20, 2003 01:20pm | #1

   Dirt,

   The link below may help you a bit:

   http://cnets.net/~eclectic/woodworking/cyclone/Index.html

   there is a lot to read and understand but I think it is worth it.  I'm still developing a solution for my little space....good luck

   Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you see recognize a mistake when you make it again...
1. 
   dirtstirrer | Sep 21, 2003 04:15am | #7

   BG,

   Geeze, that my be the most intensive site I've ever visited.  Answers any questions I can come up with, then a bunch more.  And I thought this was going to be simple.  Hardcore Knotheads could debate the finer points of DC for a long time with that info.  Could even usurp the table saw saftey device subject as the most charged issue.  Na, probably not. 

   I'd never considered building my own system, but...     Thanks for the link, I'm going to get it all read eventually!

   aka Steve

2. 
   JMartinsky | Sep 20, 2003 02:04pm | #2

   Dear Dirt,

   Contact "Oneida Air Systems" If I knew how to post a link, I would do it. Oneida will layout your system for you, design and engineer it for free. I bought my system from them and am more than pleased! I would highly reccomend the "Long Ranger" remote start. Good Luck!

   John

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Sep 20, 2003 02:51pm | #3

   John,

   Here's the link you refer to.  The easiest way to post a link is to place the cursor on the address bar on the page you wish to post, right click on the mouse, then click "copy" on the small window that comes up.  Go to your text, then right click at the place where you wish to include the link.  Right click, click "paste", and you've got it.http://www.oneida-air.com/

   Jeff

1. 
   JMartinsky | Sep 21, 2003 12:22am | #4

   /

2. 
   JMartinsky | Sep 21, 2003 12:23am | #5

   http://www.oneida-air.com/

2. 
   dirtstirrer | Sep 21, 2003 04:35am | #8

   John and Jeff,

   Thanks for the Oneida lead.  I've seen their add in FWW, and after checking out the web site, am quite impressed.  They make some monstrous machines too!

   John,

   I've got a long narrow shop, and floor space is valuable.  Does your system take up a lot of room?  Just the quick calculations I did, lead me towards the 2hp, with a cartridge filter.  Anything like yours?  The fact that they fit each system to the shop, a great deal in itself, makes this option easy.  I wonder if a guy could mount the system up higher some how.  I've got 15ft ceilings, and if maintenance would be possible, that would help the floor space issue.  Just thinking out loud I guess.  Thanks again for the link. aka Steve

1. 
   PaulReuter | Sep 22, 2003 05:58am | #11

   I have the Oneida 1.5 w/the internal cartridge filter.  Great space-saving concept but a b*tch to clean.  The 2hp with external cartridge is much more practical.  I wouldn't recommend raising collector because you have to deal with the 30 gal. drum on the bottom to empty it.  Also, the cartridge needs to be gently beat on or blasted with compressed air from the outside to knock the dust cake out of the pleats to keep it operating effeciently.  Every body talks up power & suction when touting various collectors, but nobody really says much about the hassle of cleaning & emptying.  Oneida's cartridge is the neatest (as in not getting dust all over while doing it) filter system I've seen.  Getting that 30 gal. drum emptied into a garbage bag is a bit of a pain.  I use contractor's garbage bags (oversize & extra heavy) that fit over top of the drum & then tip it from the top of a stool.  Still have to vent the bag while dumping but with a bit of practice I don't scatter too much dust any more.

   Paul

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Sep 22, 2003 08:08am | #13

   Paul,

   Great info, thanks.  Did you use their design service?  Of course all the feedback on their website is positive, what was your experience like?  Good point on the convenience of empting in relation to raising the whole unit.  I've been trying to find objective sound comparisons for dust collectors, and I wonder how you rate yours for noise?  I'd rather not have something that sounds like a router screaming away in some corner.  I'm a farmer, and we use vacuum systems to meter seeds in our planters. Those systems are noisy, and as I have zero experience with dust collectors, that's my frame of reference. 

   One more thing, do you know why they don't use a metal collection drum?  Thanks again for your advice, this appears to be really good company from what I'm gathering.Steve

2. 
   timberrattler | Sep 22, 2003 05:53pm | #16

   Paul,

   Do you think changing from a 1 micron felt bag to a 20 would increase the amount of suction on my 2hp system. The system works pretty good but I'm looking for a little more suction.

   P.S. I have Blast gates all around

   P.S.S. Are those new canister style filters less restrictive?

   Finally, I might add a air filter to make up the difference between the 1 and 20 micron filter bags if there were to be a big difference in suction

   Edited 9/22/2003 3:29:27 PM ET by CIRCLEKID

2. 
   JMartinsky | Sep 22, 2003 01:59pm | #14

   Dear Steve,

   I suppose that you could mount the system up high, but you really are only going to lose the footprint of the drum. I have the the 3HP and with the 30 gallon fiber drum and I lose about 9 square feet, if that. I have my unit externally vented, that is, I dont have any fliter on it, just the cyclone and then I vent it right outside through the wall. I need to leave a window cracked or it will backdraft down the wood stove. The system is fairly quiet, more of a deep sound than a router scream. I get more "wind" noise than anything else. As far as the drums go, I think that you can use a standard 55 gal steel drum. call them and ask, they are very helpful. Good Luck!

   John

3. 
   Shep | Sep 21, 2003 12:53am | #6

   Steve-- I have the Dust Boy 2 HP collector and it works great for my shop. I have the Delta 580 planer and it sucks up every chip generated. The draw back is that the two-stage motor and impellor sit in top of the collection drum and its quite heavy to lift off.

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Sep 21, 2003 04:39am | #9

   Shep,

   Thanks for the post.  I'm not familier with the Dust Boy system, I'll try to find some info on it.  Does your system have the cartridge filter system of the bag system?  If it's the bag, do you think it does a good job getting the fine particals?  Have a good evening,aka Steve

1. 
   Shep | Sep 22, 2003 01:04am | #10

   Steve== its got the bag system. It seems to get most of the fine dust, but I also have a ceiling mounted air filtration system to help, so I'm not sure exactly how effective the bag is.  Dust Boy usually has small ads in the back of FWW and Woodshop News.

1. 
   PlaneWood | Sep 22, 2003 06:06am | #12

   Mine is the 1200 cfm Delta model.  I set it outside under the eve and protect it from the elements with a little cover and water proof tarp.  Punched two 4" holes through the walls and have hoses and gates to all my tools.  It is sufficient for my 12" planer.  Would need a bigger unit if I were to get a bigger planer.

   Never again will I work in a woodworking shop not having a DC!!!

   Oh yeah, Delta uses VERY cheap components on the motor of that unit.  I've had to replace both capacitors and the breaker switch.  Don't look for Jet to be any better in that regard.  Don't know about the others.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

2. 
   timberrattler | Sep 22, 2003 05:39pm | #15

   Shep,

   I have the 2hp Dustboy as well, pretty happy with it. I attached a small block and tackle to the motor and a floor joist, when the drum fills now it's pretty easy to empty.

1. 
   Shep | Sep 23, 2003 12:37am | #17

   CIRCLEKID-- yeah, I thought about doing the same thing. Its on my list of things to do. Unfortunately,  no matter how much I get done, the list still gets longer!

4. 
   shopdoc | Sep 23, 2003 07:45am | #18

   I have a Blue Tornado 3h.p. cyclone with four bag filtration system. These bags are .5 micron! You did read that right .5 micron! Not that much dust makes it to the bag plenum- virtually everything settles out into the drum. In four years of moderately heavy use I've only cleaned the bags once - and that probably wasn't, absolutely necessary. I see that Blue Tornado now offers the option of a filter unit, but I don't think I would convert as I worry about restricting the airflow plus I don't think you can do any better than .5 micron.

   I run a 24 inch planer, 12 inch jointer, 36 inch drum sander, shapers, tablesaw etc. with almost complete collection of dust. The main duct is 7 inch with 4 and 5 inch branch lines to each machine. I changed out the fibre drum for a large Rubbermaid Brute trash can on a drum roller. I get 4 mil, round bottom drum liners from an outfit called ULINE (uline.com) and place a plywood disc inside them to keep them from billowing inside the can. A friend of mine takes the bags of sawdust to his father's farm where he uses it as ticking for the horses. My friend then returns the empty bags and plywood discs for re-use. By the way I wrap a piece of bare #8 wire around the plastic trash can and ground it to the cyclone to prevent static build-up.

   The guys at Blue Tornado are extremely helpful and helped me design the whole system. I hope this helps by giving you a view of a different system. I believe the Onieda system is very good but dollar for dollar I'll take the Blue Tornado. Good luck whichever way you go.

                                                Steve

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Sep 23, 2003 02:59pm | #19

   Doc,

   Thanks for the info.  I hadn't considered, or heard of Blue Tornado dust collecters.  I'll go do a search for them.  Great ideas on the use of the system too.  Sure does help this dust collecter novice get some idea of what to get and how to use it.  Have a good day,

   aka Steve