Thinking about dust collection

[Jim Brown]

Well, I'm getting pretty close to getting my shop up and running ... the lights are wired, the tools are placed, and I'm ready to run the 240 lines I need for the table saw, jointer, and dust collector.

About the dust collector. My tools are quite a bit farther apart in the new shop than they were in the old. Anyhow, I've been checking the specs on various units and am thinking about upgrading from my Grizzly 2 hp (G1029). I've been considering their 3 hp dual canister model (G0562Z), but at the price I'm within reach of a lower end cyclone. It seems to me, though, that the specs on the unit I mentioned above are vastly superior to any cyclone in the price range.

I might augment whatever I buy with a homemade separator or two, but I must say I'm unlikely ever to build my own Bill Pentz cyclone. I don't enjoy sheet metal work at all ... I blame my old F-150. Any thoughts on the unit mentioned above as compared to a sub-$1000 cyclone? Or other alternatives? (I generally prefer Grizzly because I can drive there).

Thanks for any thoughts!

[Stretch]

I've got Grizzly's 2 hp cyclone. It's got plenty of suction. I thought is was gonna suck my planer through the hose the first time I turned it on. I can't imagine even their 1.5 hp unit not being enough for a one or two man shop. CFM doesn't tell the whole story on dust collection. I planed 200 bd ft of alder the other day. I emptied my barrel of chips four times. Then I ran the cleaning brush through the filter and almost no dust fell into the bag. The cyclone dumps so much of the dust into the barrel the filter never really clogged up.

[Jim Brown]

My shop's in the basement, and while I've been happy enough with the chip collection, I'd like to move more air in order to catch and filter the finer dust. I think there's room for improvement, but I'm not sure what the best way is to get there.

I'd also like to connect a few more tools than previously, which will mean more turns, more joints that are always going to leak a little, etc.

[Ruffnek]

I looked at the two models you mentioned and the specs don't seem right on that dual canister model.

The 2 hp cyclone is rated at 1354 CFM at 2.5" SP with a 14 1/2" impeller. Those numbers look about right...maybe on the low side as far as CFM.

However, the dual canister specs tout 2320 CFM with a 12" impeller? Even with two filters those numbers seem vastly inflated.

In addition, everything that is collected has to go through the impeller to reach the canisters...dust, chips, knots...and if you have a floor sweep (not recommended) then perhaps nails, screws, all sorts of metal.

Going by the published specs, the twin canister version wins hands down but I do question those specs. If they are correct, then I think I will route my DC discharge outside and by-pass the filter if it makes that much difference in air flow.

[fredbelknap]

Cody I think you are right to be skeptical about the numbers on the Grizzly DC. There is so many variables and no industry standard to measure by. I think each company that makes DC has statistics that show that theirs is the best. I use the blower off a 1029 and exhaust it outside through the collector and use a 55 gal. drum to catch the chips. I get pretty good suction but don't have any way to tell how much. It would be nice to have a cyclone so that the chips and junk would be separated before it goes through the blower. I am thinking about putting the whole cyclone outside. Don't know how weather proof they are.

[Jim Brown]

I'm thinking about keeping one or two separators (Thien design) near the machines that create the most chips in order to keep the big chunks out of the impellers. Jointer and planer waste hasn't been as difficult to deal with as the dust from disk/belt sander, etc.

I'm probably kidding myself, but since I'm laying this shop out from scratch (within parameters of course), I want to get it right the first time.

Yeah, I know ...