The upper bag of my Italian (funny, ha) dust collector “leaks” and distribute fine dust all over my workshop. Obviously I stopped using it until I can fix the problem.
Two questions please: (1) What are the parameters I should look for (density, microns…), and, (2) where can I order custom made quality bags?
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Thanks!
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Replies
I bought an oversized replacement bag for my Delta dust collector from American Filter Fabric. I would suggest giving them a call and talking to one of the sales reps. When I bought my replacement bag they were very helpful and answered all my questions as well as making some suggestions to improve my dust collection system. They can give you the information and breakdown on fabric types, weave density, bag size, cfm's, etc. My only regret is that I did not contact them sooner---the replacement bag I bought from them, combined with a couple minor changes I made to my dc system, improved the performance of my dc tremendously.
ditto, I bought one from that company years ago. Very satisfied. They also worked with me to custom make a bag that was shorter than the stock unit but wider in order to maintain the same volume.
Looking at AFF's contact and initial request form shows thet know what they are taking about. Thanks
You need the most surface area you can get on your discharge. An oversize bag will certainly help, but consider one of the pleated filter cartridges as a superior option. They should provide well over 200 square feet of discharge area, which means that blower is not trying to force the exhaust through the openings. Rather it is flowing by comparison. Much of the dust will fall out of the stream before hitting the filter media.
Don
If you talk to AFF they can calculate the square footage of filter media you need based on your dust collector's specs, machinery used, layout, etc., in order to optimize performance. The cartrige filters are a good choice, but the bags are generally less expensive and easier to clean out, while at the same time being as effective. Either is a good choice, but how well it performs will depend somewhat on how well the system is maintained.
Bags are not as effective as they lose their cake when the unit is turned off. Each time the DC is powered up the cake must be reestablished. This results in lots of dust being blown straight back into the shop. Each time the bag flexes its mechanical properties change.
If the bags were held in place by a cage,then some of the cake would be retained.
Remember, the rating of any media is nominal and is never at it highest filtration right from the start. A 1 micron bag does not become 1 micron until the media is seasoned with a sufficient coating consisting of particles of every size down to 1 micron. The media starts to plug off when the cake start to consist of a higher percentage of sub 1 micron particles.
You would need a very large bag to deliver the square footage of a cartridge.Rather than spend a lot of money on a cheap solutions, all wood workers should be investing once in a proper cyclone solution. Don
I installed my DC in it's own shed adjacent to my shop... 1 micron or 1 inch, I really wouldn't care :)
That is the perfect solution - blow it elsewhere. The only reason for the bag is to allow the unit to operate close the dust generator without burying the shop in dust. I think containment would be a good word.Take the bag right off or increase it to 30 micron to minimize the resistance. You have to be a bit careful here as increasing the differential between the in and out will allow your blower to move more air, the motor will work harder and you may cause a breaker to trip. And, you will have trouble finding the DC after awhile.Don
Do you mean using a pleated filter cartridge on existing one stage DC (the ione with the bag)? Where should it go?
I have had no trouble with "dust being blown back into my shop" every time I turn the dc on as a result from using AFF's bags. Have you used them, or is this speculation?
My advise, go ahead and talk to AFF. If you are interested in cartridge-type filters as used in cyclones, give Oneida Air Systems a call. They, like AFF, are very knowledgable and helpful about answering questions concerniing dc systems. If you want to try a pleated cartridge filter---it replaces the filter bag on the top of your dc, Wynne Enviromental makes units that can be adapted to fit most dc's. They are also generally less expensive that OEM cartridge filters.
There is no than one way to get effective dust collection.
You replace the felt bag with a big cartridge not unlike the air filter in your car only the flow is reversed.
Basically, when you have a huge surface area on the discharge side, the force of the particles at any one point is significantly reduced. They lose momentum and fall out of the stream. Many of the manufacturers are now offering this option.Check out Bill Pentz dust collection site and make your decisions on fact and your desire to protect your lungs, not simply cost.
http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/index.cfmA good filtration system is essential to being able to enjoy all of your other tolls for a long time. If you cannot afford to do this now, then be sure to use the highest quality face respirator - 3M8293 or equal. You should wear a face respirator at all times even if you think your dust collector is getting it all.Don
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