thoughts on dust collector set up.

[endacoz]

I was given this Delta 3/4 horse power top of barrel dust collector. I used it occasionally but need to come up with something I will use more often. My first thought was to just replace the bag that is on it that leaks some dust. Looking for 5 micron or better. I need to replace the hose as it is old and has many holes and cracks in it. The previous owner put a 4 inch to 1.5" adapter that I don't want. I'd like to keep it 4 inch as my band saw is also 4 inch. the wheels on it works fairly well. So there's no excuse for me not to be using it. Mostly I'm looking to use it on my lathe. So I should have a set up with a hood mounted to my lathe stand that I could just hook the DC hose up to. Suggestions for lathe hood hookup / setup.

then after reading other forums posts on the IAP, I like the looks of the Rockler 21 foot expandable retractable hose attachment. so basically my main question is is it worth repairing this Delta dust collector or selling it and getting the harbor Freight 1 mounting it on the wall and getting the rock layer 21 foot hose?

Portable Dust Collector - 13 Gallon.

Dust Right Expandable Hose-Expandable Hose | Rockler Woodworking Tools




Either way I still need to get a set up at least on my main leave for a dust hood and mount.

 

[jttheclockman]

Hello Ethan

I have that same Delta dust collector and absolutely love it. It does everything I want it to do. It is powerful enough to control all my tools but you do need blast gates if setting up the way I do. I did change the dust bad to a more efficient one. I will give that link. I built a seperate room to house the unit. I put it on a fiber barrel. I have a small chain pulley system set over top of it. When I want to empty the barrel I pull the unit off using the pulley and lock it out. I slide the barrel out and take outside to clean. Have started putting plastic can liners in to make that job even easier. Do not let get too heavy. I am getting old.

I run a 4" metal heating duct system around the shop wall and jump off it with
Wyes where each tool is located. I then use heavy duty dust collector hose to get to each tool. This hose is strong and flexible but is not designed to roll up. I will voice my opinion on those hoses and it is only my opinion. They are a waste of money. They kink and add too much extra flex in the hose which cuts down on suction. You want to use as least amount of hose as possible because all those ridges in a hose cause lose of suction and resistance. The use of straight pipe is a better way to go and drop off when needed. Look at any good dust collecting system in any full woodworking shop and you will see this. I use blast gates after each wye so I can direct the suction better and get the most as possible. My shop is not very big as you can see so walking over to shut a gate is no problem. No need for electronic gates here. I try to keep the hose as large as possible which in my case is 4" I do drop down to 2-1/4" on some tools such as the oscillating drum sander and drill press. I do use a quick disconnect on my table saw and other tools because I will switch them out on occassion. My tools are on wheels so I can move around. Small basement shop and you need to adapt.

The other huge tool that should be in all shops is a dust cleaner. I have this hanging over my work bench which makes it out of the way and being a low ceiling height I do not run into it. To me a very very valuable asset to the shop.

I have included a few photos and some of these are very old but you will get the general idea as to how my dust collector system is run. If you have any questions feel free to ask away. As far as keeping that collector I am for it. But any collector is better than no collector. Remember the noise factor when using one of those roll around units. Yes they use a better more qieter motor than say a vac but still noisy. Also included is the link for the bag as promised.

American Fabric Filter - Custom filters, Dust Bags and filtertration equipment and parts


http://www.americanfabricfilter.com/pdf/02-Custom-Filters/How-&-Why-Optimized-Filter-Bags-Work.pdf

 

[maxwell_smart007]

5 microns is very bad for your health. That's a dust pump, as it just pushes the fine, dangerous dust into the air.

Try and find a 1 micron or smaller bag.

 

[Edgar]

+1 on what John & Andrew said.

Metal or PVC duct for your long runs, 45˚ elbow joints for the drops (no 90s), good quality hose for your last run & keep them as short as possible. I use 4" septic PVC in my shop - cheap & light.

Definitely a 1 micron bag on the DC and an air cleaner.

I made my own air cleaner from a simple 20" box fan & attached a filter grille from Home Depot to the back end of it. There's room for 2 filters in the grill, so I use a Honeywell FPR5 prefilter and an FPR10 for the final filter. Home Depot claims the FPR10 captures particles down to 0.3 micron. I have no way to verify that, but it does a good job. I used plastic tie wraps to attach the grill to the fan & sealed up all the crevices & holes with duct tape so all air has to go through the filters. I have a high ceiling, so I use a little rope to hoist it up to the rafters where it's out of the way. Someday I'll add a pulley to make it easier to raise & lower for filter changeout.

 

[plantman]

I agree with Andrew, 5 microns is not enough, go for the 1 micron bag !! Also do as John suggests, and put a plastic bag inside of your collector to make emptying much cleaner. I have a 25 foot expandable hose on my main dust collector, even though it is on wheels, it is a real pain in the butt to have to move that hose around. I also have a fixed 2 1/2" clear plastic tube set up that goes overhead and drops down to tools that only emit saw dust or shavings. I very seldom use either one of these setups. I prefer to use one of several wheeled shop vacs I have located around my work areas with adapters to fit the different tools I intend on using or for sweeping up the floors. I have 4" lines on my belt sander, shaper, and planer, and smaller lines on the other tools. The advantage I have is moving the electrical cords instead of dragging that long hose around. The least number of turns, ripples, or length you have in your system will mean the more volume of air you can move in a given amount of time. And as Edgar says above " no 90 degree bends". This is the same as running your car into a brick wall and than deciding which way you want to turn to keep going. Better yet, is to use PVC pipe and the smooth curved formed 90 degree bends. This does get a little pricey in the larger sizes, but runs much smoother, quieter, and with less restrictions. Jim S

 

[endacoz]

+1 on what John & Andrew said.

I made my own air cleaner from a simple 20" box fan & attached a filter grille from Home Depot to the back end of it. There's room for 2 filters in the grill, so I use a Honeywell FPR5 prefilter and an FPR10 for the final filter. Home Depot claims the FPR10 captures particles down to 0.3 micron. I have no way to verify that, but it does a good job. I used plastic tie wraps to attach the grill to the fan & sealed up all the crevices & holes with duct tape so all air has to go through the filters. I have a high ceiling, so I use a little rope to hoist it up to the rafters where it's out of the way. Someday I'll add a pulley to make it easier to raise & lower for filter changeout.

Can you post pictures so I can visualize the filters your adding.

 

[endacoz]

Hello Ethan

American Fabric Filter - Custom filters, Dust Bags and filtertration equipment and parts


http://www.americanfabricfilter.com/pdf/02-Custom-Filters/How-&-Why-Optimized-Filter-Bags-Work.pdf

Any other options than a $100 bag? Or is this my only option

 

[Edgar]

Sure, here's my setup.

The first image shows the filter grille attached to the back of the fan. It's a standard household grille that you can buy at Home Depot. I used a couple of tie wraps to attach it to the back of the fan then duct taped the seams & holes.

The second image shows the grill opened to insert/change filters. These were the first filters that I used - they were what I had on hand at the time. I now use an FPR5 and an FPR10 filter in the unit.

The third image shows how I have it hoisted up to the rafters. You can also see my DC ducting & drops to my tools in this part of the shop.

It's a really simple & inexpensive air cleaner. It may not be as good as one of the higher capacity commercial units, but I only spend a few hours a week in my shop and this does a good job of cleaning my air.

 

[jttheclockman]

Hello Ethan

American Fabric Filter - Custom filters, Dust Bags and filtertration equipment and parts


http://www.americanfabricfilter.com/pdf/02-Custom-Filters/How-&-Why-Optimized-Filter-Bags-Work.pdf

Any other options than a $100 bag? Or is this my only option

No you can shop around. You can probably find them for half that price. How well they work I can not say. The link I gave is where I bought mine. It was a custom shape and size to fit my room. I could not use a round bag. The bag needs to inflate to its fullest to be efficient. Most bags that advertise they are 1 micron bags usually do not start out as that. Maybe 3 or 4 micron. It is the build up of dust inside that makes it filter down to 1 micron. The material in the bag I shown is just that 1 micron. But you pay for the material. Good luck and get a dust collector working of some sort. Clean air is essential in a shop.