Replies

1. 
   cigarmike | Dec 02, 2006 12:45am | #1

   I have the older version of this same machine, with the bags both bottom and top. I plan to upgrade soon by adding an aftermarket canister. I have read that this alone will boost the CFM and collecting effeciency, and the ability to dump directly into a disposable garbage bag id definitely a plus. Wrestling with the bottom bag after emptying it is a real PITA.

   I have had no problems with this machine in the 5 years of ownership. I have it mounted inside an attached 4 X 8 shed on the side of my shop. I ran a 6" HVAC duct through the wall from the blower, mounted the housing with the 2 4" piped on the interior wall. I then ran short lengths of flex duct to a wall mounted 4" PVC duct that is mounted approx. 16" from the floor. I added Y-branches at various points with blast gates on them. This has worked well since installation. If you do this, make sure to place the heaviest dust/chip producers closer to the DC.

   This is a good machine and if you get you will like it. Stay safe & watch those fingers.

2. 
   mbholden | Dec 05, 2006 03:09am | #2

   I have the 50-850A and bought it for the canister filter.

   I noticed fine dust coming out of the bagged cleaners I have seen, but not out of the canister. Not very scientific, but it sold me.

   Other advantage is the easy to remove and visible (clear bag) chip collection.

   Cleaning the filter is as simple as turning the handle on tap once or twice before removing the chip bag for disposal.

   I empty the bag and so far it has held up for almost two years, it came with an extra so I am set for awhile.

   I use it with a flexible hose and move the hose to whatever machine I am using using a twist lock setup I got from (I think) Highland Hardware. In a small basement shop, 15 feet of hose will get to all my machines, jointer, planer, tablesaw, and bandsaw.

   Still use a shop vac for the router table as I have not worked out how to hook the big machine up to it yet.

   Be sure and save some budget for an air cleaner! It is not the filter in the dust collector that lets the small stuff out, but rather that not all the really fine stuff gets collected in the first place.

   Yes, I would get this dust collector again. Certainly I would want a canister type filter no matter which brand.

   Mike

3. 
   forestgirl | Dec 05, 2006 07:58am | #3

   It's worth the extra $100 to me in ease of use.  The thought of collecting all that dust just to cover myself with it when emptying the bag is ludicrous.  The lower plastic collection bag can either be tied off and tossed in the trash, or toted out to the compost bin and emptied -- without spewing dust along the way from a cloth bag.  The cannister is very easy to clean.  Spin the handle a few times around (how often depends on how much you're using it), and slap the outside of the filter cage for good measure.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)