Hello – after several days I have completed the install of my 2hp harbor freight dust collector. I first added a first stage separator by installing a cyclone kit onto a 55 gallon plastic drum. Then on the exhaust I point to a 5 gallon bucket. I am hearing I have to use a filter or exhaust ourside. Is this an issue of I just exhaust to a 5 gallon bucket?
The machines I use right now include a miter saw, band saw, router table and table saw. Before we get started all my tools with the exception of the miter saw have 2.5 inch dust ports. I read in some other forum that a dust collector will not work well with 2.5 inch ports. So is all my work effort for a waste and do I need to unplug and return the equipment and swallow the loss for all the piping done? If so what is the alternative? The Harbor freight unity I have was only around $275. I had to use some reducers to get to 2.5 inch from 4 inch. Is all my work wasted?
The miter saw connection seems very feeble from a suction perspective as I suspect the hose is small (1.5 inches) since that is what the exhaust port on my miter saw is. As a result I don’t think I would get proper clean up for wood. Any suggestions? The other part of the y you see in the picture below will have a 10 feet flex hose connection to a table saw. Is that ok? I have minimized the use of flex hose everywhere but given that the table saw will be placed in the center of the garage I have no option but to run a flex line as needed from the y you see on the wall below. Is there a better option? I have attached picture for reference.
I would be able to tell about the suction at the table saw once I add the flex hose but for now I would appreciate your help on the above two items.
Additionally is there any outlet that I could put on the wall where the dust collector can plug into and I can operate with a remote. I tried plugging in a wireless switch and the wireless switch no longer works. However dust collector works when plugged directly into the wall. I use this wireless switch in my living room for lights. So I am not sure if it’s underpowered.
The machines I use right now include a miter saw, band saw, router table and table saw. Before we get started all my tools with the exception of the miter saw have 2.5 inch dust ports. I read in some other forum that a dust collector will not work well with 2.5 inch ports. So is all my work effort for a waste and do I need to unplug and return the equipment and swallow the loss for all the piping done? If so what is the alternative? The Harbor freight unity I have was only around $275. I had to use some reducers to get to 2.5 inch from 4 inch. Is all my work wasted?
The miter saw connection seems very feeble from a suction perspective as I suspect the hose is small (1.5 inches) since that is what the exhaust port on my miter saw is. As a result I don’t think I would get proper clean up for wood. Any suggestions? The other part of the y you see in the picture below will have a 10 feet flex hose connection to a table saw. Is that ok? I have minimized the use of flex hose everywhere but given that the table saw will be placed in the center of the garage I have no option but to run a flex line as needed from the y you see on the wall below. Is there a better option? I have attached picture for reference.
I would be able to tell about the suction at the table saw once I add the flex hose but for now I would appreciate your help on the above two items.
Additionally is there any outlet that I could put on the wall where the dust collector can plug into and I can operate with a remote. I tried plugging in a wireless switch and the wireless switch no longer works. However dust collector works when plugged directly into the wall. I use this wireless switch in my living room for lights. So I am not sure if it’s underpowered.
Replies
Dear genaccmiller
Here are a couple questions to help me understand and help you towards the inevitable conclusion that all you have installed will sadly not work.
1-Where is the dust collector ? I see a fan mounted on the wall but where are the collector bag and filter ?
2-2 hp will draw 20 amps at the electrical outlet, before even considering a remote switch please verify that the wiring and breaker can handle it as they are normally 15 amps. It is also likely that other electrical outlets in this room and the lighting are on the same circuit thus while running the dust collector, using any other tool will trip the breaker.
3-(this is the deal breaker) did it occur to you that power tools with a 2 1/2 inch dust port are better served by a dust extraction device that has 2 1/2 inch ports such as a shop vac ? The reason is that there are two concepts in dust control, dust collection is based on air flow and uses 4 inch and larger conduits, dust »extraction » acts more like a vacuum cleaner and uses 2 inch pipe and connections.
The good news is that there is a simple solution to extract most of the dust from your equipment and that once we find the dust collector, it can also be put to contribution.
I am not sure I follow. Why do you say it will not work? The dust collector is mounted on the wall on the top left corner. No there are no other equipment on that circuit. I installed three 20 amp circuits. On #3, I did have a shop vac before and used a cyclone with it but was not happy with the results. Are you saying this set up won't work for my equipment?
How do you tie #3 wire in a outlet where the screw terminal is meant to accept #12 at best ?
I am not sure I follow. I answered your question that I had three 20 amp circuits put in and dust collector plugs into one. Is there an issue? Can you elaborate your concerns?
It’s ok, I guess.
I see the motor / impeller unit from the DC up high on the wall in the corner. I see the 55gal drum down low. If I understand your post you are using a sealed 5gal bucket as the "exhaust" for you system. Your system will not function at all if that is the case.
Air pulled into the system to carry dust has to flow out to make room for the air behind it. With that bucket as a plug suction will be zero.
A filter allows air to leave the system and catches the finest most dangerous dust. Blowing the exhust outside is an option if neighbors and climate permit it. If you pay to heat or cool your shop you'll be pumping expensive air outside with the dust.
So if I look at what the package came with I see it came with a bag that plugs into the exhaust. Isn't what I am doing similar that I am attaching it to a 5 gallon bucket? What do you suggest?
Typically the plastic bag goes on the bottom below a cloth filter bag on top—they’re sort of stacked (pictures of assembled dust collectors on the Harbor Freight website illustrate this). Heavier chips are supposed to fall into the plastic bag, but your external separator will grab most of them. The air then blows through the cloth filter bag which traps finer dust (particle size that is trapped being dependent on the quality of the filter bag). That exhaust line needs to have an outlet. If not, it’s like blowing air through a straw with your finger plugging the end. If you simply unblock the end, you are just blowing fine dust around the shop. You need a filter on the end of the outlet pipe—is there a cloth bag that came with the unit? If so, at a minimum you could wrap the mouth of it around the outlet (in place of the bucket) and secure it with hose clamps or similar.
The finest dust will still pass through the fabric of cheap bags. If it worries you (it would worry me) you can find after-market bags that trap finer particles. Pleated canister filters are also available—fitting one to your system should be possible if desired. It’s extra work and a non-trivial cost, but would give a safety margin far greater than the fabric bag.
Yes, put the filter bag on the exhaust and see if it works.
A 5 gallon bucket does not allow air to pass, the bag is a rudimentary filter.
As others said, air that goes in, must go out. On a shopvac, you can put the hose in one end and it vacuums. Put the hose on the other side, it's a blower.
Air goes in your system at the tools. Where does the air go out at the other end? If there is no outlet, it will have almost no suction -- and you will burn out the motor. And where the air should be coming out is where the filter bag or canister goes. Without it, your just blowing dust into another part of your shop.
Check out the HF Dust Collector upgrade completed by PatriotDIY. You will see a HEPA filter installed above the 5 gal. bucket.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYTR24EQ8hI