Thread: Dust extractor type and location

Good Thinking, Exhaust Fan from workshop to enclosed DC which is vented outside.

Cheers Barry

Originally Posted by Jon Luke

Hello people,
For my new workshop I want to start off by fitting a dust extractor. I've looked at numerous videos of the varying ways to set up the extractor and the types available.
I've come to the conclusion a 2 stage system with DC and cyclone separator is the go with the filter cartridge. Am I on the right track?

Other people will disagree but my experience is unless you use a 4HP/3kW or greater powered DC you will lose too much air flow if you add a cyclone separator. OTOH a cyclone will keep the filter cartridge cleaner for longer. Maximum fine dust collection is achieved by generating maximum air flow so minimising the number of items in the DC collection path will do that

Also there are cyclones and CYCLONES. Many cyclones are inefficient and generate a back pressure that lose considerable flow. Something like a Clearvue cyclone generates a relatively small back pressure and hence more flow. The other advantage of using a Clearvue is you wont even need to use a filter if it is vented or located outside.

If you use a conventional DC you will still need filters.

Also, I have a large shed (100m2),

This size shed is 4HP/3kW plus DC territory, anything smaller will not be able to handle the lengths of ducting required to cover such a large area.

[QUOTE/]but no facility for positioning the DC outside unless I put up an awning or small car port. I've seen several videos of blokes building a small room / cupboard within their shed and putting the DC inside to reduce noise. I couldn't imagine airflow out of the closed room would be ideal unless the room is vented outside. The room sounds good in relation to keeping it dry, keeping noise down, but surely would be a problem with heat and airflow. Ideas welcomed.[/QUOTE]

Lean to for a cyclone is all that is needed.
There's no problem with using a vented enclosure inside or outside a shed as he high air volume that a DC moves is more than sufficient to cool the motor.

For further advice read the following and post more details of your setup
see
DRAFT: FAQ - Dust Extraction (Practical Aspects)

Thanks for the tips. I should have stated the shed is 100m2 in size but the workshop will be along one wall and use about half the shed. I'm looking at getting a bit serious and buying a table saw, combination jointer and disc/belt sander to go with my mitre saw and lathe that's already there. I suppose like most blokes, I've been a bit lazy with looking after myself when cutting, sanding, carving wood etc so putting anything in would be an improvement. I understand most people would suggest a 150mm system for as much of the run as possible and drop to 100mm at the machines or alter the machine outlet to 150mm. Would a HAFCO product be decent quality and be able to cope with 5 machines and perhaps 20 metres of pipe?

Originally Posted by Jon Luke

Thanks for the tips. I should have stated the shed is 100m2 in size but the workshop will be along one wall and use about half the shed. I'm looking at getting a bit serious and buying a table saw, combination jointer and disc/belt sander to go with my mitre saw and lathe that's already there. I suppose like most blokes, I've been a bit lazy with looking after myself when cutting, sanding, carving wood etc so putting anything in would be an improvement. I understand most people would suggest a 150mm system for as much of the run as possible and drop to 100mm at the machines or alter the machine outlet to 150mm.

The latter is by far superior. Except for bandsaw (3 x 4"), and DPs, scroll saws and small sanders (1 x 4" is usually enough) , I wouldn't even bother with 4" connections and go straight to 6" connections. It is also important that additional vents be installed in machine cabinets to enable air to get in so that it can carry the dust out of the cabinet

Would a HAFCO product be decent quality and be able to cope with 5 machines and perhaps 20 metres of pipe?

To be really sure of wood dust collection, 20 m of pipe usually requires more than 3HP (eg 4 or 5HP) and a correspondingly bigger (at least a 14") impeller.
If you could locate the DC outside the shed in the middle of the long run/wall of machines and then place the dustier machines up against the wall near the DC you could reduce ducting runs so you might get away with a 3HP machine. The problem will be any TS and combo machine since these cannot be used up against a wall and these are usually quite dusty machines.

Of course budget usually limits most people but if you have the readies I would recommend the smaller ClearVue Cyclone as these will easily accomodate your ducting runs and will not need any final filtering if located outside - not filter bags to clean either.

Originally Posted by Jon Luke

Would a HAFCO product be decent quality and be able to cope with 5 machines and perhaps 20 metres of pipe?

Can I ask why you have singled out HAFO as a brand? Do not be fooled by the marketing myth & BS surrounding the generic dust extractors that are available from every retailing outlet for woodworking as none (without exception) live up the their promised performance. If the funds are available buy once and buy the Clearvue and yes I am biased as others here will tell you.

Hi Chris,
I'm not leaning towards any particular brand. It's the only shop I've walked into so far. I've started looking at the ClearVue product which looks great.
Jon

Fair enough, simply put the CV does the job, hook the ducting up and it works. There are other smaller cyclone, the Jet is one that appear to be the same, cost nearly as much and do not have the same performance as the CV despite what the makers may claim.