Replies

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Feb 01, 2004 12:23am | #1

   Mike,

   the dust 'collection' of the bags depends upon the fine dust clogging up the pores in the bag to a large degree and then building up a 'cake', which performs the filtering action.

   So, to wash it is counterproductive.

   I put 'collection' in inverted commas as you really need to ensure that you're catching fine dust, less than 2 microns to avoid lung damage.  This is a difficult task and one that the USD100- dust collectors aren't really designed to do.

   Cheers,

   eddie

2. 
   UncleDunc | Feb 01, 2004 12:24am | #2

   Why do you want to clean them? Just bat them around a little when you empty them, that'll be clean enough.

1. 
   nu2knots | Feb 01, 2004 03:35am | #3

   I have an ambient air cleaner to collect the fine stuff, however, I noticed the suction  in the  upright collector was not as strong as before so I batted the bags gently and that helped. This is my first collector and I am ready to empty the bag for the first time. Upon inspection, there seemed to be a lot of dust(have been cutting a lot of MDF lately) that might need more than a good shaking. I thought I read somewhere you were not supposed to wash the bags but I wasn't sure. 

1. 
   UncleDunc | Feb 01, 2004 07:39am | #4

   There's definitely a tradeoff between airflow and filter effectiveness. You'll get maximum airflow with clean bags, and therefore maximum sawdust and chips whisked away, but the cost is that some of the finest dust will zip right through the walls of the bag. Like eddie says, some dust caked on the inside of the bags really is a necessary part of the setup.

3. 
   PlaneWood | Feb 01, 2004 07:44am | #5

   I got a larger top bag (taller) and started using heavy contractor type plastic bags on the bottom.  I buy the Husky plastic bags at HD - the ones in the yellow boxes.  Every time I change out a plastic bag, I give the top bag a good whacking.  My DC sets outside of the shop so residual dust is not a problem.  Nor is noise.

   I have noticed some decrease in air flow as the lower bag starts to get full.  That is because the top bag is getting caked up.

   A thought just occurred to me.  Most DC's have the top bag hanging so that it never collapses.  What if it was not hung but left to pop up when the DC is turned on.  Would this continual popping up and collapsing keep dust from caking inside??

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

1. 
   nu2knots | Feb 01, 2004 10:30pm | #6

   Ok, this may be a really stupid question, but as I said this is my first dust collector. Having seen the plastic bags on bottom, which looks like a good idea, which bag does the filtering? Top, bottom, or both? is the bottom bag merely a collection bag?I have read where the bags can be switched for a smaller micron bag, but which one would you swap?both?

1. 
   PlaneWood | Feb 02, 2004 12:32am | #7

   Top bag does the filtering.  The plastic bottom bag is just for convenience.  It goes in the trash when it gets full and a new plastic bag is installed.

   I use a lot of Rosewood which is an allergen.  Because of that I don't want to be trying to empty a cloth bag into a plastic bag.  Setting the DC outside keeps the residual dust out of the shop. I would highly recommend setting the DC outside if there is any way that can be done.  Mine sets beside the outside shop wall under the eve and is surrounded by waterproof tarp to keep out the rain.  I ran the 4" duct through the shop wall.  I poured a 2'x4' concrete pad and extended the eve.  The tarp is stretched around a 2x4 frame.  Some residual dust does collect on the inside of the tarp.

   The 4" duct goes through the wall into a 44 gallon Rubbermaid trash can acting as a separator then into the DC.  A separator is necessary to keep large chunks of wood, tools, etc that get accidentally sucked up from getting into the impeller blades.

   The disadvantage of setting the unit outside is that conditioned air gets sucked out of the shop.  I have thought about making a sealed closet outside with return filters in the shop wall.  However, here in south Texas it don't get that cold in the winter and in the summer my 18,000 btu AC keeps the shop pretty cool.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

   Edited 2/1/2004 4:38:15 PM ET by PlaneWood