Why no cyclones?

**Sir Stinkalot** · 29th January 2004, 02:45 PM

Just to touch back on Burn's original question, which hasn't been answered yet .....

Quote:
"I'm curious, why isn't a mini-cyclone a mainstay product of the various suppliers dust collection sales."

Without going into the merits of cyclones vs. dust extractors (it seems as if the responses thus far have simply split one way or the other) ... why isn't there a commercially available home workshop sized cyclone?

From the grand old days of university studies I know that the cyclone principle is used to combat air pollution from smoke stacks and the likes, and we have all seen examples of large scale cyclones being used in factories. The only commercially available home scale cyclone that I have seen is "old dusty" at Carbatec in Melbourne .... Perhaps "old dusty" answers the question.

**Wayne Davy** · 29th January 2004, 03:02 PM

Good point Stinkie.

My take on why there are no "value" (cheap) commercial Cyclones (mini, mid or large) comes from several conversations with employees at Carbatec/Gregory Mach/etc. Basically, I was told they tried to sell "small" ones years ago but, as they were very expensive ($1K to $2K+), no one wanted them. Mostly came down to that woodies did know about the dangers of wood dust or just did not worry about it at the time. So, after trying it once, the Coys are not interested it offering them again.

However, times are a changing and we all seem to be getting more and more interested in Dust Collection systems. Usually starting with one just to keep the "Toy Room" clean and then getting more serious as we discover the dangers. This is happening big time in the USA and the US Coys are now offering "value" Cyclone systems to hobby woodies. I think this will happen here eventually, but dont hold your breath.

**silentC** · 29th January 2004, 03:32 PM

Makes me wonder if there isn't an opening there for an enterprising person with access to a sheetmetal shop to make these things and sell 'em on Ebay. As far as a piece of sheetmetal work goes, there's nothing to a cyclone. All you need then is a decent blower, a bin and some duct work.

Hmmm......

Do they have to be stainless steel, or could you make them out of gal?

**GeoffS** · 29th January 2004, 05:30 PM

And I wouldn't cut the metal we use in cyclones with a jig saw. It can be quite a light gauge - a pair of tin snips are not all that expensive. With the finest blade you wouldn't get 2 teeth across the thickness. I have used a jig saw for cutting sheet steel but it was 1.0 mm or more, for cyclones you can use 0.4 or 0.5 mm, maybe even 0.3mm.

Dale - if it is the funny English you are refering to - well you knew what I meant! or if it is the thought that you can NEVER have too many tools - well I certainly haven't found a limit

Cheers

**riffi1** · 29th January 2004, 06:32 PM

More info and links to member sites can be found in the Triton forum. One member has designed a minicyclone based on a Triton dustbucket and vacuum cleaner. It's on the list of things I'"gunner"build one day.

Rod

**Gumby** · 29th January 2004, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by riffi1
More info and links to member sites can be found in the Triton forum. One member has designed a minicyclone based on a Triton dustbucket and vacuum cleaner. It's on the list of things I'"gunner"build one day.

Rod

And I've seen it working first hand. It's abeauty and I've just been to the local paint store and picked up a 15L paint tin which the guy was going to put in the crusher. Now the weekend is booked....make my cyclone form the Triton bucket.

Thread: Why no cyclones?

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions