Thread: Chip Collector/Dust extractor purchase questions.

I also have sarcoidosis but from my research, advice fro my specialist, and that of a family member who is a research GP, sarcoidosis has never been associated with dry wood dust. It has a slight association with green timber and some metallic dusts, but the greater associations are for females, of African descent, living in a house with a combustion stove. Nevertheless if you have lung impairment due to sarcoidosis (I don't) then you don't want to add to lung issues with dust of any kind.

The best extractors around are still the Clearvues but, if you don't have the readies, for a workshop of your size (about 40m^2) a 3HP DC with a 13" impeller should be enough.
BUT
You will have to modify it to accept 6" ducting and machinery ports will have to be opened up to utilise the 6" ducting. You would have to do this irrespective of what DC you purchased.
Sometimes you can avoid voiding the warranties on machines by making complete replacement panels with the larger ports. I extensively modify most of my machines (not just for dust extraction purposes) and when the machine was under warranty tried where possible to keep all the parts and where-with-all to restore them to stock form.

BTW The best place for the DC is outside the shed in a sound reducing enclosure. This has many advantages including noise reduction in side the shed not needing to get hung up about filters, you just need enough filtration not to annoy the neighbours. Pleated filters may be a bit of overkill, although they do have the added advantage of high initial CFM and taking longer to clog.

FWIW My sarcoidosis is all over my body but mainly in my joints and bones which according to my specialist happens to only 2% of folks with sarcoidosis . I was diagnosed about 2 years ago and have been on steroids for about 8 months which messes with my blood sugars (I'm also diabetic) and kidney function (I only have one) but it does help my bung knee. In the first half of this year I had the added complication of Hypercalcemia (too much blood Ca) and had a resting heart rate of 105 bpm. To monitor this I was on weekly blood tests and a PET scan every 3 months. My sleep as absolute rubbish (3-4 hours a night) and I was spending up to half the day on the bed. Since seeing an endocrinologist he resorted my meds and I am now of blood tests every 2 months and a PET scan every 12 months my resting heart rate is now 85 bpm and I'm back to 6-8 hours a night of sleep. Most specialists that see my PET scans and blood test results don't know why I am not in a wheel chair or in hospital feeling very ill.

G'day Bob,

Thank you for your reply.

The old Sarcoidosis is a bit of a mystery. I received my diagnosis around 9 years ago whilst in hospital for pneumonia. Spent six years doing regular visits to hospital lung clinic for blood tests, lung function tests, etc, but 3 years ago was advised as stable and only come back if having breathing difficulties (thankfully not since). Still use ventolin occasionally if I feel short of breath. For somebody who never smoked, always outdoors, pretty fit, surfed for 28 years (at time of diagnosis) and could hold my breath just shy of a minute and a half, it's a bit of comedown not to be able to hold breath any longer than 12 seconds max (and worrying in large surf), and fitness not like it used to be. I have a little scarring on the lungs so don't want to trash the lungs any further, so wearing a good quality mask is part of my routine.

I can place the DC outside, so no issues there. Can build any enclosure and neighbours won't complain (we own the house next door as well, bought 20 years ago before prices went nuts, bought off wife's father). Will have to work a bit on the opening of ports (of DC when purchased) but luckily only one machine purchased at this time (cabinet saw) to adjust. Might have to plan ahead and see if I can find machines with 6 inch ports already (bit of a pain in the proverbial if you have to adjust every machine you buy), but at least I know that's on the cards for my searches.


Out of interest, with your health, do your mates give you the nickname 'Lucky' in an ironic way?

Thank you again for your help.

Cheers,
Ashley

Hello Ashley,

Originally Posted by Asharper

old Sarcoidosis is a bit of a mystery. I received my diagnosis around 9 years ago whilst in hospital for pneumonia. Spent six years doing regular visits to hospital lung clinic for blood tests, lung function tests, etc, but 3 years ago was advised as stable and only come back if having breathing difficulties (thankfully not since). Still use ventolin occasionally if I feel short of breath. For somebody who never smoked, always outdoors, pretty fit, surfed for 28 years (at time of diagnosis) and could hold my breath just shy of a minute and a half, it's a bit of comedown not to be able to hold breath any longer than 12 seconds max (and worrying in large surf), and fitness not like it used to be. I have a little scarring on the lungs so don't want to trash the lungs any further, so wearing a good quality mask is part of my routine.

Luckily my lungs are up till now unaffected and last time I was checked I scored 97% on my lung function test. The only symptoms I have is that when the sarcoidosis flares up and my ACE levels go up I feel like I have a low dose of the flue. This is compounded by the sarcoidosis screwing up my diabetes/ blood glucose levels which causes me to be super thirsty so then I drink and then I have to go to loo. In it's worst case I was going to the loo every 40 minutes which of course ruined my sleep which made me feel extremely tired. Now the GP, endocrinologist, renal specialist and the sarcoidosis specialist are all on the same page so I seem to be on top of this.

I can place the DC outside, so no issues there. Can build any enclosure and neighbours won't complain (we own the house next door as well, bought 20 years ago before prices went nuts, bought off wife's father). Will have to work a bit on the opening of ports (of DC when purchased) but luckily only one machine purchased at this time (cabinet saw) to adjust. Might have to plan ahead and see if I can find machines with 6 inch ports already (bit of a pain in the proverbial if you have to adjust every machine you buy), but at least I know that's on the cards for my searches.

I doubt you will find a single machine with a 6" port as stock. Some European machines are offering 5" ports which are big improvement on 6" but it's not just the port size that is a problem. Many machines are totally choked in letting air into the machine. Dust can only get out if lost of air can get in. This means removing panels or cutting holes in cabinets like I did on my BS. Some people find leaving the cabinet doors ajar works for them but I reckon its better to place openings in cabinets so that it directs the air flow across the cabinet - this scavenges more fine dust than just leaving the doors ajar.
BSDport.jpg

Another thing you should look up are "Bell mouth hoods".

Out of interest, with your health, do your mates give you the nickname 'Lucky' in an ironic way?

yeah "lucky" has been used a few times.
I'm not sure what they make of my circumstances. A few have drifted away, probably because they are tired of hearing the "same old health stories" and because I cannot participate in many of the more physical activities I used to be able to. I still have heaps of mates some of which have their own health issues. I was an active member of a mens shed for a few years but found I could not get enough of my own projects done so although I'm still a member I only go there about once a month for morning tea. Only a couple of my non-menshed mates are into the wood/metal/electronics stuff that I'm into and the others always seem to want to want to go for coffee - if I wanted to I could be "doing coffee" 2-3 times a week.

G'day Bob,

I find it bizarre that the cfm equation (for want of a better terminology) has been bandied about for years judging by results on the inter web, but not been jumped on by any manufacturer. You would think that any manufacturer that jumped on board and changed ports to 6 inch (minimum) and looked at letting air into the machine efficiently (as you mentioned) would corner the market (at least for a period) for those looking to buy hassle free and not have to modify. I know I would buy if I could get it right first time without having to modify.

In saying that, your mesh panel is quite unobtrusive. I like a simple solution.

I was having a read of your Bell Mouth Hood in the 'FAQ - Dust Extraction (Practical Aspects). It's interesting how much additional airflow you can get but having curved as opposed to hard edge's (the 180 degree push back against incoming airflow). Looks like a couple of places in Australia that sell them as conduit bell mouth housings. They are rounded but seem to be quite a sharp rounding instead of a more drawn out rounding. Not sure if that makes too much of a difference. Seems like most people make their own on lathes.

Asharper, I see you live in Brisbane. I have just about finished re-doing my dust extraction setup in my shed and have the mold(?) for a 6 inch bell-mouth. If you don't have access to a lathe I am happy to make up a few Bell Mouth hoods for you (out of PVC), gratis. I live on the northside of Brisbane a Bunya.
Geoff

Sell your house next door and buy a Clearvue. Problems solved!!

G'day Geoff,

That's very kind of you. Might contact soon when I get my plans in order however always pay. I don't feel right if I don't.

Ah Safari, nice thought but too many ties for the missus. Was childhood home, and brought up our kids in that one too. Flat out knocking down a crap besser block wall without fond memories. Wears heart on her sleave. It will eventually go to the kids. They can do with it as they will. That, and it's a bit extreme to sell a house for a DC.

Originally Posted by Asharper

I find it bizarre that the cfm equation (for want of a better terminology) has been bandied about for years judging by results on the inter web, but not been jumped on by any manufacturer. You would think that any manufacturer that jumped on board and changed ports to 6 inch (minimum) and looked at letting air into the machine efficiently (as you mentioned) would corner the market (at least for a period) for those looking to buy hassle free and not have to modify. I know I would buy if I could get it right first time without having to modify.

Yes I don't know whey machines are not made with 6" outlet and a simple 6 to 4" adapter fitted for those eating to stay with 4" ducting.

I was having a read of your Bell Mouth Hood in the 'FAQ - Dust Extraction (Practical Aspects). It's interesting how much additional airflow you can get but having curved as opposed to hard edge's (the 180 degree push back against incoming airflow). Looks like a couple of places in Australia that sell them as conduit bell mouth housings. They are rounded but seem to be quite a sharp rounding instead of a more drawn out rounding. Not sure if that makes too much of a difference. Seems like most people make their own on lathes.

Better still are those sold on line as bass speaker reflex ports. Some have the correct curvature and will be more efficient than those that have a reduced curvature.