Thread: A Better Dust Collector…

Rather than clogging up other threads with semi related ideas, I thought I would put this idea out there in a separate thread.
This idea came about from this thread https://www.woodworkforums.com/f200/cyclone-connection-157371/ where a solution to a DC inlet pipe reduction was required.
Just taking that thought to the next level…

One of the common themes to BobL’s posts are “always think about every bend, pipe or device, that might cause a restriction / pressure drop”.

I think most would agree that the commonly available DCs from just about all manufacturers, are hardly cutting edge when it comes to efficiency. So to that end how do we increase the DC efficiency, without sacrificing any flow and hopefully pick up some negative pressure gains, to allow the use of things like dust extractors in front of the DC, without falling below the critical specs to collect invisible dust?

To my thinking that would be accomplished by making the DC more efficient. So with that goal in mind I set about drawing up what I feel could be a screw on replacement for the standard DC inlet arrangement.

You would need to jigsaw out a circle that removes the original inlet to add this new inlet, but it could be worth the effort.
While it would be optimal to replace the existing impellor with a new one shaped more like a turbo inlet that helps turn axial flow into radial flow, but that really isn’t a practical mod for most people. So why not try something in between.
By using a curved static vane system in conjunction with a smooth bell inlet, I believe it would be possible to direct the air away from the turbulent dead zone in the centre of the DC impellor without sacrificing any flow.

By sectioning the inlet it would also help maintain high air speed and provide a better inlet to impellor transition. It is also quite possible it may reduce the noise associated with the DC, as that is typically caused by the beating of the, air as it does in a roots type supercharger.
Please note my picture show straight vanes but curving the vane in the direction of the impellor direction would help even more.