Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 29, 2005 09:28pm | #1

   Thanks for the tip, Don.  I've only had my DC for a few months now, and always dread the thought of something damaging getting into the line.  When I first got it, I had a dream one night about various tools and things going "thwump"!  Too funny.

   Do you have any idea what size piece of wood can go through without hurting things?  I have the Jet 1.5HP cannister collector.  10" impeller? I think.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   DonC | Nov 29, 2005 11:17pm | #2

   That's a good question Forest Girl. I think maybe I should replace the (+) rope with some large square wire mesh. Large blocks can't be good and ferrous metal can cause sparks. Some impellers are aluminum and some are steel. Maybe someone makes plastic. I'm not sure. Mine is a Penn State with steel impeller.

   Did you ground your system? I haven't so far (7years) and no problems. I've read some say, not to worry, and others say, gotta do it. Go figure??

1. 
   docotter | Nov 30, 2005 07:19am | #3

   FWIW, my DC has (came with) a steel cross in its inlet. Wonder if you infringed somebody's patent? LOL

   Anyway, I think that if you put mesh in you may tend to get some accumulated shavings and suffer some reduction in flow and pressure. A dust separator ought to do the trick for anything heavy, and the cross would probably be sufficient for anything light enough, but big enough, to be a concern.

2. 
   mudman | Nov 30, 2005 06:11pm | #7

   Hey FG,

   I have sucked up decient sized bolts, and as big of a chunk of wood that the machine can. The impeller looks fine..... I still cuss when it happens though.

   Mike

2. 
   BrianF | Nov 30, 2005 07:30am | #4

   It's amazing what those things will suck up! My mom was helping me clean out in my shop one day when she came for a visit and was using the hose like a vacuum and sucked up an aluminum can. I ran for the switch but didn't get there before it hit the impeller. Lots of itty bitty aluminum shavings in the bag and it didn't even scratch the paint on the impeller when I took it apart to look at it. Since then lots of small wood chunk and other assorted things have gone in there with out any damage. (Knock on wood) Since I added a seperator though that problem has been solved.

3. 
   Telemike | Nov 30, 2005 07:51am | #5

   I ran my grizzley 2 HP for years without any protection. One day, a small piece of plywood cut off (about 1/2 thick by 1 long) stuck in between the impeller and the houseing and jammed it tight. I had to dismantle it to remove the piece. Now, the shaft is very slightly bent. It runs OK, but gives a "grunch, grunch, grunch...) as it slows to a stop. I'm sure I've shortened its life.

   I put a homemade cyclone on it to prevent exposing the impeller to chips. Later, when I moved the DC to the new closet on the outside of the shop (with the air compressor), I substituted a trashcan cyclone for my own 30 gallon drum cyclone.

   The cyclone picks up most of the debris. Only fine dust goes into the bags. You should put in a cyclone or other debris separator before the actual DC both to protect the DC and for ease of emptying. Every woodworking supplier has the black plastic caps for 30 gallon trash cans.

1. 
   jazzdogg | Nov 30, 2005 08:27am | #6

   "I moved the DC to the new closet on the outside of the shop (with the air compressor"

   Howdy,

   Two questions, if you don't mind:

   Did you take any special steps to protect the air intake on your compressor from possible dust contamination resulting from close proximity to your DC system?

   Do you remember to drain the condensate from your compressor's tank when it's located out of the immediate workshop? I have trouble remembering when it's sitting right there, clattering away noisily!

   Thanks,-Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

1. 
   Telemike | Dec 01, 2005 09:31am | #8

   Did I take any special precautions to protect the air compressor intake? Well, I've intended to for quite a while. I drain the AC relatively often because I store the fiberglass ladder in there also. Probably not enough, but more than when it was hidden behind the band saw and the planer.