2020 Dust Collection rebuild
Sometimes ya gotta suck it up
I try to keep a tidy shop. In the middle of a big project, it's not always possible, but having a good dust collector certainly helps to efficiently get there. My system has gone through a number of iterations. In the 1990's, I started out in a garage, using a shop vac - it was a small 2 gallon model. I remember what a pain that was! The hose would clog up often - for sure whenever I ran my little lunchbox planer.
Then, I built a cyclone from one of the old Shopnotes magazines... To build that, I bought a bag vacuum from penn state, and used many of those parts. It used 4" ducts, looked pretty cool, and worked ok for a number of years - it too had periodic clogging issues...
Both of those systems lacked adequate suction.
Link to free blast gate plans on bottom of page.
Then, I built a cyclone from one of the old Shopnotes magazines... To build that, I bought a bag vacuum from penn state, and used many of those parts. It used 4" ducts, looked pretty cool, and worked ok for a number of years - it too had periodic clogging issues...
Both of those systems lacked adequate suction.
Link to free blast gate plans on bottom of page.
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Progress leads to well, progress....
Fast forward a decade or so....
Bill Pentz has studied and written volumes on dust collection system. His website has free plans to build a cyclone for a small shop. Back, in 2006, I ended up getting one of the Clearvue cyclones (a Bill Pentz design) and haven't looked back ('til now ;). My current setup is getting closer to end game, but it never seems to quite be there.
Bill Pentz has studied and written volumes on dust collection system. His website has free plans to build a cyclone for a small shop. Back, in 2006, I ended up getting one of the Clearvue cyclones (a Bill Pentz design) and haven't looked back ('til now ;). My current setup is getting closer to end game, but it never seems to quite be there.
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The heart of the system is the cyclone, bin, blower, and filter that are mounted to a wall. The chip collection bin is on casters. With a short bit of flex hose between the cyclone and bin, it's a simple task to empty it when the time comes.
The diameter of the cyclone is 18", while the impeller is run by a 5hp 220V single phase AC motor. The filter is built from 2 Wynn .5 micron, 300sf units that have a flange making it easy to screw together. On the bottom of the filter there is a small clean out box with an easy to remove cover. |
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The 6" blast gates that came with it aren't the best... They work fine for awhile, but end up breaking...
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I built one of a similar design out of plywood that is still good and strong.
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NOTE:
This blast gate design has been replaced with 2019 versions. But, an improved design became imminent, and that is what this article is really about! The slide gate became a pivot gate operated by a couple pieces of rope - pull one to open and the other to close. I put a little block of wood on the rope to close the gate. It makes it easy to find, so I don't have to think too much... These 6" gates are much nicer... There's a link at the bottom of this page for free plans. |
Ducts that don't quack
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The ducts are on the walls and ceiling.
Wherever possible, I used 6" pcv ducts, the system still has a few 4" ducts and gates. Notice the dust shadows around some elbows? I was told by an unnamed source: "don't worry about sealing the joints". Well, if someone tells you that, don't believe 'em. As you might imagine, it's not a simple task to fix this... Nevertheless, it is on my list... If you build a similar system, tape or somehow seal the joints. |
Machine hoods
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Here are some hoods I built for various machines...
This is the thickness sander and edge sander (both shop built machines)... |
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Router table (rear view) and radial arm saw...
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Drill press and one of 2 general purpose hoses - both of these are on 4" ducts gates.
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