Replies

1. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Sep 06, 2004 01:05pm | #1

   I have an AP400.  Also have the finer bags.  Can't recommend another inexpensive unit, but mine is really not suitable as a whole shop unit.  Its OK when hooked directly to one machine, but I hooked it 10 feet of 4" duct and a couple machines with blast gates.  Not really up to the job.  With the finer bags the flow is reduced considerably.  I took them off. 

2. 
   lwj2 | Sep 06, 2004 04:16pm | #2

   I'd go with the 3 micron bags. Lots less wear on the lungs.

   Leon Jester, Roanoke VA

3. 
   Kent_F | Sep 17, 2004 05:46am | #3

   I have the Delta, a buddy has the Grizzly. We both agree the Delta is better in terms of airflow and overall quality.

   Good quality felt bags provide better airflow than the cheap 30 micron bags.

1. 
   jc21 | Sep 17, 2004 02:49pm | #5

   Who makes felt bags for the AP400?

1. 
   Kent_F | Sep 17, 2004 06:47pm | #9

   "Who makes felt bags for the AP400?"

   Penn State Ind, Grizzly, Rockler, Onedia, American Fabric Filter all have 14" diameter bags for 1 HP DCs.

   The Delta stands taller than most DCs, so a long, skinny bottom bag would work best. The ultimate setup would be to order an oversize top bag from American Fabric Filter and use platic bags on the bottom. AFF's website is http://americanfabricfilter.com/. Go to "Custom Bag Quote" for all the details.

1. 
   mbiker1999 | Sep 17, 2004 08:25pm | #12

   I bought the AFF oversized felt bag for my delta 1200 cfm collector and it works great.  I have all the airflow I need and I have my whole 2 car garage, err shop plumbed.  I use the bottom 30mic bag with a heavy plastic bag liner.  Makes cleanup pretty easy. 

4. 
   forestgirl | Sep 17, 2004 06:02am | #4

   Have been following the DC threads with interest, and just noticed on the Penn State web site that they have their 850 CFM unit (model DC1B-XL) on sale for $189.95.   Comes standard with 8 feet of hose and 1 micron bags.  Click here for web page.

   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. 
   jc21 | Sep 17, 2004 02:54pm | #6

   Thanks for the link. What kind of rep does Penn State have?  

1. 
   rmcjh | Sep 17, 2004 03:28pm | #7

   I have the previous model and it works very well on a single machine, it has less CFM.  I've not tried it on more than one machine at a time but then I'm the only one in my shop so its not a problem.  I can use only one machine at a time.

   I've had good luck with Penn State's customer service, friendly and knowledgeable and have provided prompt service when I've ordered things.  You might check out their clamp sale, good prices and free shipping on orders over $100 which isn't a difficult sum to meet.

   Roger

2. 
   forestgirl | Sep 17, 2004 06:27pm | #8

   Penn State rep is pretty good from what I can remember.  Much better than Grizzly for sure (I'm a Grizzly fan, but not with regard to their smaller dust-collectors).  I think you'd get more bang for your buck from Penn State than you would from Delta.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. 
   Kent_F | Sep 17, 2004 08:19pm | #11

   I just got a Penn State Industries 2 HP DC2000. The fit and finish are mediocre, but performance is good. FWIW, it appears to be almost identical to the Grizzly G1029.

   The good thing about PSI is that they provide better filter bags as standard equipment than most of the other manufacturers. The not so good thing is that shipping charges may be a deal killer (I live close enough to them to pick up in person).

2. 
   AlbionWood | Sep 17, 2004 06:50pm | #10

   Well, I sure could spend some money there!  Cyclone DC for $545 sounds like a deal to me."Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler."  A. Einstein

   http://www.albionworks.net

5. 
   SteveC | Sep 17, 2004 08:42pm | #13

   I just received the Penn State DC1B-XL on thurs.  It went together in about 45 minutes.  I have not done a lot with it yet, just some testing on Table Saw, Jointer and Planer.

   It did a great job with jointer and planer, there was hardly any airborne dust.  However, there was still some from the TS, but that is to be expected.

   It has 1 micron bag.  This is my first dust collector so I have nothing to compare.

   My father in law ordered the same unit, and received it with a broken switch.  He called customer service and they sent him a new switch the next day, so he was very pleased with ther CS.

   I have a small basement shop, so this was a perfect fit for me, and I only use it on 1 machine at a time.

   Steve

6. 
   SRToolguy | Sep 18, 2004 07:20am | #14

   The AP400 is a good unit when used as designed. The 30 Micron bags are what it is designed to use. Changing to the 3 micron bags will reduce the amount of airborn particulates but will also reduce the flow of air (CFM). One must remember that dust collection systems are all about moving air not creating a vacumm like a shop vac. As was stated previously, these units are designed for use with one piece of equipment at a time and should be hooked up directly to the equipement with the shortest possible hose length.

   All that said, they work great when you follow the manufacturers recommended application principals. So, get a copy of the manuals and make your decision from there.

   Sincerely;

   The Tool Guy

1. 
   jc21 | Sep 18, 2004 04:26pm | #15

   Thanks. I rethought things, tried to think ahead (hopefully!) and ordered the Delta 50-850. Hope it's 1200 cfm will allow a switch to 1 micron bags without too much loss of performance and its ability to run off 115v is important for now till everything has a permanent home and can be wired for 220. The 50-850's replacement, the 50-760, sounds good with it's standard one micron bags but it will be next month before it hits the stores.

1. 
   nohrn | Sep 18, 2004 05:46pm | #16

   I just order  a central from Harbor freight. I posted a thread some time ago for input.. Did't get any replys. It is 2 hp   30 micron bag,  1700 cfm .. Price $149.00 with free shipping..   I'm sure its not as good as shop fox or grizzly, but i am only going to use on one  tool at a time and probably not that much.. Heard their cs was pretty good.. I'll post again when I get it up and running

   Edited 9/18/2004 10:52 am ET by bob

1. 
   jc21 | Sep 27, 2004 04:14am | #17

   Thanks to all who responded. The Delta 50-850 is up and running ......... so far so good. Much quieter than expected. 5 micron bag- not as good as Penn State's 1 micron but better than 30. The Penn States looked good but were at the time, a little more money and that combined with the shipping, over $80.00 more. Thinking about a trash can cyclone to give the impeller a break- are any of the lids (Woodstock, Jet) better than another?

1. 
   Kent_F | Sep 27, 2004 04:47am | #18

   The Lee Valley cyclone lid is what I have, and it strikes me as the best design out there.

2. 
   jc21 | Sep 28, 2004 12:43pm | #19

   Is any kind of gasket needed between the lid and barrel?

3. 
   Kent_F | Sep 30, 2004 08:03pm | #20

   The inner lip of the Lee Valley lid fits snugly on my 30 gal metal trash can. There must be a tiny bit of leakage, but not enough to worry about.