Thread: El Cheapo Home made Cyclone

another couple photos,

What is missing from these photos is how the chip collector is held in place, the attachment is by several spring clamps but a more permanent technique will be configured if I decide to keep the system as is.

Steve

Haven't done any formal tests with meters etc...to check how much airflow has improved from stock but by removing all the ribbed hose and opening the intake and then the separator inline, I figure it's probably pulling better than before and the system is more efficient. also looking at the idea of having a second canister bellow the top canister to improve the airflow. but not sure if its worth spending another 200-250$ on this unit.

So far all I've spent (apart from the original dusty cost which was 230$ about 10 years ago)is the 180$ for the plastic cyclone and some scrap pine, some old paint, one disused plastic planter pot, some sealer for the holes and one rubber connector 22$.

Not bad for an afternoon.

Steve

Just about anything done to a generic 2HP DC will be an an improvement.

The limitation of the particular 2HP unit you have is the 5" circular impeller exit.
No matter what is done to it it will never conduct more than about 700 CFM
2HP DCs with the rectangular outlet can be easily set up with a 6" equivalent connection so they can move significantly more air.
Then and adding ANYTHING in front or behind that limitation (e.g. filter and cyclone)will further the flow.

The real question to be answered is what is the size of the inlet to the cyclone.

Hello Bob,

Yes I know its never going to be as good as a full blown unit with larger impeller etc...but for less than 200 bucks spent you get what you pay for , and as you say it is an improvement even if not as much as I would like.

by the way the entry to the cyclone is 150mm (6") and I opened up the impeller opening to accommodate. this unit has the rectangular exit from the impeller so if I want to in the future I could open this up as well but at the moment I have the generic plastic rectangular to round fitting that goes straight into the canister which is also circular.

I guess its a balance between how much to invest in this unit before it gets to the point where I would be better off spending on a new one.

Steve

Originally Posted by stevepay

Hello Bob,
Yes I know its never going to be as good as a full blown unit with larger impeller etc...but for less than 200 bucks spent you get what you pay for , and as you say it is an improvement even if not as much as I would like. by the way the entry to the cyclone is 150mm (6") and I opened up the impeller opening to accommodate.

That good because it means it is definitely worth opening up the 5" connection between the impeller and the filter housing.

this unit has the rectangular exit from the impeller so if I want to in the future I could open this up as well but at the moment I have the generic plastic rectangular to round fitting that goes straight into the canister which is also circular. e

Have you see the connection done by Johnno on his 2HP unit - all done with woodwork?

I guess its a balance between how much to invest in this unit before it gets to the point where I would be better off spending on a new one.

That's always the way.

Originally Posted by stevepay

another couple photos,

What is missing from these photos is how the chip collector is held in place, the attachment is by several spring clamps but a more permanent technique will be configured if I decide to keep the system as is.

Steve

Well done Steve, looks brilliant.

Great post Steve. Sounds like you've given yourself food for thought and you've certainly got my grey cells motivating! Being an old scrap yard man myself I love the inventiveness involved in using the materials at hand to improve the workshop.
What did you do to open up the inlet?

Cheers,
David

Originally Posted by aldav

Great post Steve. Sounds like you've given yourself food for thought and you've certainly got my grey cells motivating! Being an old scrap yard man myself I love the inventiveness involved in using the materials at hand to improve the workshop.
What did you do to open up the inlet?

Cheers,
David

Hello David,

I basically used a pair of tin snips to cut the existing inlet out (its quite thin metal)and enlarge the opening to 150mmm and then used some laminated chipboard to build up the outside of the entry hole (held in place with construction adhesive and screws) so that I could slide the top of the cyclone into the impeller opening and hold it in place. then this is all attached to the wooden frame to keep it upright and take the weight.

BobL

I haven't seen Jonno's wooden connection, must look that up because as you say that is a definite weak spot in the design.

Steve

Johnno's mod is here https://www.woodworkforums.com/f200/5...v-pipe-172455/

My upgraded 2HP DC is here https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...hlight=generic

Both have air flow measurements.

Originally Posted by BobL

Johnno's mod is here https://www.woodworkforums.com/f200/5...v-pipe-172455/

My upgraded 2HP DC is here https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...hlight=generic

Both have air flow measurements.

Thanks Bob

Steve

Originally Posted by BobL

Johnno's mod is here https://www.woodworkforums.com/f200/5...v-pipe-172455/

My upgraded 2HP DC is here https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...hlight=generic

Both have air flow measurements.

I like the look of these modifications, when I get some time hopefully in the next week or so I'm going to give this a go.

Thinking I'll try wood to start with as I have quite a bit of scrap laying around but I think your metal connector is excellent and I recon if I was going to keep this system long term I would go down that route.

If I'm happy with the results of all this testing I may invest in a larger unit with more grunt.

Just for clarity I have a cluster arrangement with my main machines, not sure if it comes out in the photos but basically my DC is sort of tucked in next to my Planer + Thicknesser and table saw with built in router table. This way I minimize my ducting length.

Steve

Originally Posted by stevepay

Just for clarity I have a cluster arrangement with my main machines, not sure if it comes out in the photos but basically my DC is sort of tucked in next to my Planer + Thicknesser and table saw with built in router table. This way I minimize my ducting length.

How are the machine ports sizes?
Unless these are 6", or 3 x 4" are used then then this will further reduce flow.

Any chance of getting the DC outside?

Originally Posted by BobL

How are the machine ports sizes?
Unless these are 6", or 3 x 4" are used then then this will further reduce flow.

Any chance of getting the DC outside?

At this stage the connections to the machines are the standard size (4inch) and are next to be upgraded, obviously 6inch ports to match the storm water pipe.

As for putting the DC outside this is not really an option as I don't have the room but would be nice.

Stupid question but does anyone sell 6inch blast gates or are they only a home made option?

I've seen metal 5inch connectors but not 6inch.

Steve

Clearview Austalia sell six inch blast gates.

http://www.clearvueoz.com.au/index.p...cessories.html