My Oneida 1.5HP DC system is ten years old and I am thinking about an upgrade to one that has the external filter. The quote I got from Oneida is almost as much as a new system. The present system works well enough, but it’s a pain to clean the internal filter and $100+ to replace get a replacement filter. Anybody out there with a similar issue?
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Replies
How much to add an external filter? I have a 1/5hp with an internal filter and I can't believe it would cost $800+ to convert it to an external filter.
Michael
The quote they sent me was $775, but I haven't got back to them yet. I was so shocked I just let it sit. Maybe they misunderstood my request, or maybe they are pushing a complete upgrade when only a couple of parts are needed. They also quoted $!00 for a replacement filter. I don't think I paid much over $750 for the original installation plus ducting.
Sounds like the misunderstood you. If your system is like mine, then all you would need is an external filter and some sort of elbow for the external filter. I may be wrong, but I think I recall that when I purchased mine so I could have an upgrade path.Michael
I have the same vintage Oneida system with internal filter and I am going to get rid of it as soon as I can and replace it with a new system with external filter. The filter in my unit is so small by comparison to the new ones, it is hard to believe that it was ever designed that way. It is such a pain to take it out and clean it, I do it only when the suction diminishes to nothing. Cleaning the dust out of that filter almost creates an environmental hazard to the neighborhood!
I hear ya, man. Ditto. What are you looking at for a replacement?
After talking with the filter people that make filters used in the Onieda system they told me to use a garden hose and just wash all the dust off. The filter material is polyester and completely water proof. It cleans it like new. I spray from both the inside out and the other way around. In the winter I use the local car wash but first I wet it with a bucket of water to keep the dust down. Don't want to get thrown out of the car wash.
If you're considering replacement I'd seriously give Clearvue some consideration. Their cyclone design is far superior to anything commercially available.
Dear Ted,
Clearview far superior? Not according to Oneida: http://www.oneida-air.com/newsite/oneida_advantages/clearvue_comparison.php (Scroll down)Best,John
Don't know anything about Cearvue's 5 hp units. But their smaller units have superior separation when stacked against Oneida.
Dear Ted,"But their smaller units have superior separation when stacked against Oneida."What are you basing that upon?Best,John
Personal experience. I have an Oneida and it gets terrible separation compared to my workmate that has a Clearvue.
Dear Ted,
"Personal experience" Well, that is the best way now isn't it. I have had an oneida for about ten years and use it on a light commercial basis (3hp) and I have nothing but good things to say about it. "Separation" as I see it, has been excellent with everything from MDF dust to chunks from the floor sweep all ending up in the barrel. I have mine exhausting right out of the shop and can say that even on new fallen snow, unless I overfill the system, it doesn't discolor the snow one bit. Nothing. I'm not sure what unit you are using, but if the Ckearveiw works for you, obviously stick with it. It is kind of cool to see it operate, but my shop is heated ala woodstove and I would be concerned about the plastic becoming brittle over time, in particular on those COLD mornings before the shop heats up. Now, given, the steel is heavy to install, but it is just bulletproof.Best,John
I never thought about the plastic getting brittle. Like I said it's not me that has the Clearvue. A friend I work with has the smaller of the Clearvue Cyclones I have an Oneida 3hp unit. I know it's not a scientific comparison but whenever I'm at his place and check out his equipment I notice his filters are a lot cleaner than mine. I don't know if he uses his shop more or less than I use mine or is meticulous about cleaning his filters out. But my filters and bucket always has fine particles in it and a fine layer of dust always seems to coat my equipment. After reading Bill Pentz's website and hearing comments from people that have built his design and testimonials on Clearvue's website I'm convinced that most systems in this class are inferior to his design. I'm planing on switching out sometime in the next year. When I do I'll post the results.
Dear Ted,
The symptom that you describe could be caused by a couple of things. I suppose a bad filter would do it, certainly the type of machinery, layout and efficiency of your system, as well as usage would all contribute. As I posted earlier, I find that my TS is the worst offender in the shop as to throwing dust. The back edge of the blade is the culprit. If you are getting a fine coating on your machines, in particular, the day after, I would look at your terminations at the machines. I would hazard a guess that the dust is escaping at the machines as opposed to blowing by the filter. That is just a guess, but I found that after heavy TS usage, even with the DC running, the next day, I would still get a fine coating of dust on the entire shop and my unit exhausts outside. No filter. I bought a ceiling mounted "air scrubber" or whatever they are called: (http://www.amazon.com/JDS-750-ER-Filtration-Electrostatic-Pre-Filter/dp/B0000302XS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1204152063&sr=1-1)Problem solved.Best,John
I'm thinking it's the filters. I've noticed the dust get worse over the last 18 months or so. Oneida saids filters can last anywhere from 5-10 years depending on use. The shop sees heavy use so I'm guessing the life expectancy is on the shorter end.
Another thing I liked about the Clearvue systems is that because of the superior separation the filters do not get clogged with dust an inexpensive generic filter with fairly tight pleats can be used as opposed to the costly proprietary filters Oneida uses.
I converted mine from internal to external last year. You need a conversion kit and filter assy. Cost is a couple of hundred $. When you're through, you'll never buy another filter. I also upgraded to a 55 gallon drum. Best $50 I ever spent
Dick
Can some of the folks with smaller 1.5-2.0 HP cyclones post some pictures of how they look in the shop. I want to see one in its natural its natural habit so I can get a sense of scale. Despite the price, I'm really starting to think that this is really the way to go for dust collection.
my DC is the Oneida portable so that may not be exactly what you are thinking of. However hear are a couple of pictures of it in the shop. Because the ceiling is low I ran the ducting just above floor level. Asmall 'closet' at the back of the shop was necessary to keep the initial run of ducting from taking too much flor space away from the shop / Al
Al,Thanks for the pictures. That is exactly what I wanted to see. I'm considering the smaller wall mount cyclone (PSI Tempest or Oneida Dust Gorilla), but this helps to see it in a shop environment. BTW, that's a nicely designed shop you have, clearly you have thought out your dust collection strategy!
Jointerman, when I was in touch with Oneida to configure my DC system I cobbled together a Sketchup model of the shop to show the layout and ducting I was thinking of. The actual drawing of the ductwork is rather awkward becuase of my limited Sketchup skills but if the Sketchup model is of any use I would be pleased to e-mail it to you / Al
I have the same Oneida unit and cleaning the internal filter is an unbelievable pain to try and do by yourself. To tighten the band the holds the upper section and lower sections together is extremely difficult for me. Have any of you come up with a trick in doing this? I can't believe that Oneida didn't use a self tightening clamp to secure the two halves similar to what they use on the top of the 35 gallon barrel.
I agree that the bands are a pain to tighten, but I've been OK with that issue for the most part. The internal filter was the only kind offered when I got mine, so I just went with it. I think the newer units are better suited to one-man shop use having no-doubt benefitted from user feedback over the years.
Hello,
I agree with you that getting both units realigned so that clamp can be tightened is frustrating.
Sometimes it goes together right away and other times it takes a couple of minutes and much swearing.I've found that after it is on, I mark on the floor around the drum with felt pen so I have some sort of reference marks to go by before I try and tighten up the clamp.I find that this works well and takes the swearing out of this simple task.I hope this helps you,
Vance
Dear Jim,
I am guessing that they misunderstood you. My system (3hp) is close to ten years old and as I recall, the smaller (1.5-2 hp ) were available with either an interior or exterior filter, but externally, they appeared to be the same unit. Just one had the filter mounted on the outside. I am in a rural area and I run mine without a filter, it just exits out the back of the shop. Even without a filter, there is hardly any and I mean ANY dust that gets out. (Unless I overfill the unit!) Can you remove the filter and run it that way? Even as an experiment? Adding an external filter can't be THAT big of a deal. (But what do I know!) Let us know what you found out.
Best,
John
There's no way I can exhaust to the outside because of the way my unit is configured even if I wanted to. (There is only an open port just below the motor with no way to attach ductwork.) Also, the upgrade to an external filter is a major kit: a whole new shroud or plenum or whatever they call it goes on top of the cyclone, below the motor, and that has the the duct to the elbow that turns down to the filter unit. And maybe more stuff. My unit is mounted to a concrete wall by means of the angle-iron frame they offered and the part of unit above the cyclone sticks up through a plywood ceiling. (This was done to isolate the motor noise.) To complicate things, all this is inside a small closet with minimal space for mounting much else. It's not that I can't reconfigure the cyclone part of the system with their upgrade kit, even though it would be a major effort, as much as it is a combination of cost along with the effort and downtime. That's why I asked if anybody else has done it, thinking there may be a better way.
Dear Jim,
Well, you know your layout better than I do, but I wonder if there would be some way to fabricate an exhaust to fit over that "port". Perhaps a tin knocker could do something. There is a local metal shop here in CT who would make anything that I could design. Depending upon the proximity to the impeller, it could be attached with sheet metal screws or even rivets (OK, maybe not). Replacement sounds like the way to go, but it may be worth looking at. Of course that doesn't address any internal performance issues with the removal of the filter.Best,John
Could be. I live near Orlando where there are a lot of missile makers who bend up (I almost said "bang" out) sheet metal stuff. I guess I just want the benefit of the upgrade without the hassle. One thing Oneida offers is plenty of DC engineering experience though. Does your system capture most of your table saw dust? Even with an overarm blade guard collector mine does not.
Dear Jim,
I hear you about the upgrade, and I don't blame you. My TS (PM66) isn't terrible, but that and the miter-saw are the worst offenders in the shop. It has nothing to do with the DC and a lot more to do with the design of the TS. I don't use an overarm, but I have to believe that my system would catch virtually all of the dust if I did. I have a 3hp with approximately 100-150' of pipe. The system was designed by Oneida and works very well. The DC is almost frightening in its strength. If I have only one blast gate open, I wouldn't want to get my hand near the opening. I can operate any three machines with very little performance loss. Two machines with no performance loss. Best,John
I know what you mean about the internal filter. I upgraded my 1.5 hp collector with the external filter. Piece of cake to do and soooo much easier to clean. I don't remember what I paid for the filter kit w/ elbow but Oneida list 2 different filter kits. One is $150.00 and the other is $280.00. Both w/o the elbow which you will need also. The web site has pictures of collector in shops. http://www.Oneida-air.com.
Thanks. I looked at their website after what you said and it's obvious the woman who answered my request didn't know what and "upgrade" kit was. the price she quoted was for a whole new system at $775. However, I couldn't find any filter kit information on the website and think maybe there's an incompatibility between my Mac browser and their software. Guess I'll have to call them to be sure. Thanks for your response.By the way . . . how big is a normal sized druid?
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