I am currently shopping for a dust collection system for my shop(a small home shop). I am mostly looking at cyclone collecters. My question is –what have your experiences with Oneida and Penn States and any other collecters been? I need advice about these or any others that I haven’t seen. Thanks for your help.
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Replies
Chuck
Don't know about the Penn State cyclone, but I have the PS with a dust separator added on a mobile base. Too sum it up in one word.... Great..
Also heard good things about the Oneida...
Luck...
sarge..jt
Dear Sarge; Thanks for the speedy reply. Penn States has a new cyclone coming out this month that sounds more powerful than the Oneida unless yu get into the 5 hp catagory.
Chuck
I would wait if you can. PS is a small company. The girl that took my order said there is only 6 or 7 people. They bend over backwards to accomodate as things don't get lost in the shuffle of many hands to pass through. I find the quality is there, the price is right with the low over-head and the folks are extremely interested in getting and keeping your business.
Just got the new PS catalog yesterday. Do you know the model # of the new one. Just curious if it's in the cat yet? BTW, the finish is nice on that PS also.
Off to build a micro-wave table as ordered by the Commander and Cheif.. ha...
sarge..jt
Dear Sarge; Thanks again-- the new PS cyclones are called Tempest 142 for the 2 hp and 143 for the 3 hp models. There are various options on the the filter side of the machine. Why do you caution about waiting? You have some reservations about their products? You sound pleased with their products. Try their website at http://www.pennstatesind.com. Thanks for your help.
Chuck
I wasn't cautioning about waiting. I said if you could wait. I have seen many who have to have it "now"and jump to buy something other than what they want cause it is on B/Order or out of stock. You mentioned it won't be out for a few months.
Yep, I do endorse the PS products form the one's I've personally purchased. I'm looking at the new Tempest 142 and 143 on page 6 of their catalog. Says May of 2003. Looking good to me. I also noticed the system I bought is on sale for about $30 off. That figures. Story of my life. ha..ha..
Have a good day...
sarge..jt
Thanks again, Sarge. You've been a big help
Chuck,
If you are interested in a dust collection system, I'd recommend taking a look at this site. It includes useful information on sizing a system and includes some discussion on a few cyclone models.
FWIW: I'm looking at a cyclone dust collection system and am leaning very strongly to the Onieda 2 or 3HP systems. I'm waiting for my new shop space so I can get my tool layout more accurate to get a better calculation on the level of static pressure I can expect.
http://cnets.net/~eclectic/woodworking/cyclone/
--Rob
Thanks Rob, I will study the site you suggested--looks very complete. And I will look some more at Oneida. Chuck.
Onedia...great service, they will design your system and let you purchace all compenents from them or just the collector. Had mine now for one year. 3 HP, lots of ductwork, easily runs three machine at once. Very efficient, the dust that ends up in the bin can be as fine as talcum. Considering what lungs cost these days, some of the best $ spent to date. Good Luck!
John
PS. Get a floor sweep!
Edited 5/5/2003 11:27:20 PM ET by JMartinsky
Thanks for the advice. Oneida called me today to check with me again. Seems like they want to do the job and seem very genuinly interested.
Dear Chuck,
It is a quality unit, I think that you will be pleased. Good Luck.
John
I'm seriously looking at the Onieda. I'm trying to decide between their new 2HP system or going with their 3HP system.
Did you go with the Bag filter or external cartridge filter?
What's the size and length of your longest run?
--Rob
I went with the 3 HP system. I have two runs that are over 50 feet, including the one to my planer. The runs begin life ay 8", then step down to 5" for the majority of the runs. I have blast gates on all runs, but even with two or three open, it draws fine and I've never had a clog. With a single blast gate open it pulls like a hurricane, keep your hands away from it! Onedia designed the system, supplied all of the materials, even the screws, hangers and crimper! The ductwork went together fairly easily and ALL of the components worked as advertised! I have little (no) patience for things that do not work and let me tell you that this works just fine. Get a friend, as it is a heavy duty unit, you will need a hand to mount the cyclone, and I highly recommend the "Long Ranger" (Amazon.com) remote start. I went with an external exhaust to save $, heat loss has not been a big deal. I just make sure that a window is cracked for replacement air. But if I were going to exhaust back into the shop, I would go with the filter. My kids love the floor sweep, they will gladly sweep the floor for a chance to see it work. Good Luck!
John
Edited 5/8/2003 7:19:50 PM ET by JMartinsky
Thanks for the info. I'm split between the 2 and 3 HP units. I'm looking at around 10-11" of sp based on current layout. Might be a bit steep for the 2HP. It'll be good to see what Onieda has to say. I really like the idea of the convenience of having a parts list for the ducting.
I'll won't be exhausting outside but am partial to the bag filter configuration. I'm not worried about the extra space and they seem to be easier to take care of and provide similar filtering abilities. The Long Ranger system is also an excellent idea that I'll be getting also. What's the noise level like on the 3HP unit?
--Rob
I was surprised at the lack of noise. I would say that the unit itself is fairly quiet, louder than my table saw, but quieter than the planer. It has sort of a low hum, the noise that I notice more is the air rushing into an opening say at the mitresaw or floor sweep. This is no shopvac. this thing moves a lot of air. I went with the 3 HP, because I only wanted to do this once and If I added runs later, I didn't want to have to upgrade, plus it is less load on the machine, improving longevity. I strongly recommend the 3HP over the 2HP. For the extra dollars, its worth it. Good Luck, let me know how it works out.
John
I highly recommend the Oneida system. I bought and installed their 2HP cyclone last fall and am quite happy with it. They offer a design service which is free if you purchase your system from them. The representative I spoke to was very helpful and willing to work with me. I have limited space and head room and they were able to design my system meeting all my needs. They even told me how to shoten the fiber collection barrel so the system would fit with proper clearance for the motor.
All in all a good experience.
Since no one else has mentioned it, Grizzly lists a 3HP cyclone DC for $795in their 2003 catalog. It looks, from the picture, to be a well made unit and the specs are competitive, 2200 CFM, 14" H2O static, with 7" main inlet optionally adapted to a triple 4".
I'll likely go for it after my shop is rebuilt later this summer. Stay tuned for performance info.
Lee in Cave Junction, Oregon
Gateway to the Oregon Caves
Thanks, Lee I'll look at that too.
Check out this web site. http://cnets.net/~eclectic/woodworking/cyclone/
I believe there is some info on the Grizzly cyclone you mentioned. You might find it helpful.
--Rob
Thanks for the thought. Nothing against you, or the link itself (it does have some useful information), but that particular link has been bandied about here so much, causing some distasteful arguments, that I'm really tired of seeing it. Anyone who's been around Knots for more than a week already knows about it.
There are many other sources on the WWW that offer much better organized information on dust collection in general and cyclones in particular. FWW even did a story on cyclones, complete with dimensions for various blower HP, back in 1992-3 (I forget the particular issue, but I'll look it up if any have interest)
BTW, Grizzly also has the high quality metal ducting and fittings that make for a first class installation. It's expensive, but well worth the cost. It's going to be built into my new 40x40 shop this summer.
One thing that will be necessary with the Griz unit is improved outlet filtration. It comes with a 30 micron bag and as yet they don't list any better. I intend to redo that part to use a shop built .2-3 micron filter system.
--
Lee in Cave Junction, Oregon
Gateway to the Oregon Caves
Edited 5/10/2003 8:42:14 PM ET by Lee
Edited 5/10/2003 8:46:09 PM ET by Lee
I'm always looking for addition sites/sources of info to add to my knowledge on the "art" of dust collection. Please share these other sites. I'm most interested in checking them out as well.
Thanks!
--Rob
I just brought my system from oneida at Christmas.I just hooking it up now, 220v electric work had to be done first. Shop drawings from oneida are very good. The quality seems very good. I'm very happy because its a real system. I ordered dust chutes for the floor and one for my bench. Duct work is 24 ga metal. Be aware, the collector is only 50 % of cost. The money is in the duct work.
Oh Darn,
I thought we were talking about tolls you bought but don't use any more.. and i was gonna offer my......
Frenchy, You said tolls--do you mean tools? What were you going to say? Anything about dust collecters? BTW, I do have an excellent thickness planer and a delta lathe for sale. Used but good. Or is that illegal on this forum?
my favorite dust collectors are anything designed to sharpen something. (tormex system anybody?) and any jig designed to help me make dovetails..
Frenchy -
I really appreciate the dust collection system on my Tromek! (grin). In fact, [edit] Rainbow vacuum cleaners use a water bath system somehow to remove virtually all (so the literature says) dust from the vac's exhaust. I'm wondering why nobody's ever investigated that approach to wood shop dust collection?
...........
Dennis in Bellevue WA
[email protected]
Edited 5/12/2003 1:00:53 AM ET by DENNIS02
Hi Chuck
Just checking in, as I have a onieda. It's only a 1.5 hp but handles two tools rather easily. I've found plastic bags in the machines top, and only found the bag because i overfilled the thing. Also I've had a traditional dust collecter and the finer filtration is great, with the older style bag collecters you smell the exotic woods in the air or at least i did, It didn't really catch the fine dust.
goodluck
john
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