Replies

1. 
   GHR | Mar 23, 2007 08:50pm | #1

   The US government research indicates that fine dust removal cannot be accomplished in the manner you wish.

   One uses a chip collector to get rid of most of the dust at the source and then large amounts of ventilation to get rid of the fine dust.

   Open some windows and you will be amazed at the change in air quality.

1. 
   RonInOttawa | Mar 28, 2007 05:18pm | #12

   I built an air filter around an old squirrel cage blower and a series of 3M filters (basic furnace filter, 5 micron and a full HEPA filter) in a plywood box. It hangs from the ceiling in my shop, moves 1200CFM and works very well. I turn it on everytime I walk through the shop door, and the amount of fine dust lying around has almost disappeared.Cost was about $100 for materials. You can get a used blower at just about any HVAC shop for free or next to nothing. Most are changed out when a home furnace is replaced and they usually have 25-30,000 hours of operation under their belts. Most of them (at least around Ottawa) have a rating of 100,000 hours, so there is plenty of life left in the blower once you clean it up and replace the v-belt. You can usually get the whole unit, including the blower moter, as a unit just as it was ripped from the old furnace installation.

2. 
   InMyOpinion | Mar 23, 2007 11:12pm | #2

   I'd forget the resizing, and put the money into a filter. Works for me. IMO, jim

3. 
   AntzyClancy | Mar 23, 2007 11:49pm | #3

   "Is it worth it?"  That is a subjective question and will garner opinions on all sides.  Personally, I wouldn't spend the money and effort into a half #### solution.  Pentz's web site is very clear about the CFM and air speed needed for effective dust collection.  Given your DC, you should be able to determine if a 5 inch duct will limit your systems capability.  Also, you should not be reducing the duct to 4 inches at the machine.

   Good luck,

   Todd

1. 
   jrogerh | Mar 24, 2007 05:00am | #4

   "Pentz's web site is very clear about the CFM and air speed needed for effective dust collection."

    

   I haven't heard of this site before.  Do you have the web address?

1. 
   Don01 | Mar 26, 2007 05:13am | #8

   Here you are.http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/Index.cfmLots of good info.

1. 
   jrogerh | Mar 27, 2007 11:02pm | #10

   Thanks very much.  It does have much good info in a format I can understand.

1. 
   dougmeyer | Mar 28, 2007 03:25pm | #11

   I have the same system and I am about to put together the perminate install for it (I have had it installed in a fast and dirty manor while I built the house) Anyway I will be buying stuff for this so is thier a source for 5" pipe and el's?

   Doug M

4. 
   bakesale1 | Mar 24, 2007 06:48pm | #5

   If you're concerned about the fine dust, a much cheaper solution is a good mask with the 3M Hepa filters - P100 I think.

1. 
   Don01 | Mar 26, 2007 05:20am | #9

   I agree that a good HEPA grade mask is essential regardless of how good you think your dust collection is. The big dust collection units keep the house clean. At some point in time you have to stop everything and start sweeping.
   I just bought a Clearvue cyclone to replace my 2HP dust pump. I will scontinue to wear the mask - they should last longer though.Dom

5. 
   TheMagicMan | Mar 25, 2007 06:12pm | #6

   I have a Delta 1 horse dust collector. I had been thinking of using piping from a built in vacuum system. The piping is 2 inch. As most of the exhausts from my tools are only 2 inch anyways. BTW I also operate 2 air filters from Ridgid to clear the air of airborne dust. I would appreciate your opinion.

1. 
   rfd | Mar 25, 2007 08:54pm | #7

   Hi MagicMan,

   I replaced a delta 1hp dust collector with the 1.5hp model to get more of the fine dust. Most of my tools have 4" ports. The 1hp unit got about 90% of the chips through about 20' of 4"PVC but my basement shop is covered with the fine dust it missed. I have a Jet air cleaner mounted on the ceiling that does a pretty good job of clearing the air, but I think it's better to collect everything (chips and fine dist) at the tools.