Which one of the best of two evils?

**LRAT** · 18th January 2021, 10:18 AM

Howdy,

I still haven't made a decision yet which dust extractor to buy but was able to bring it down to two options:
The Carbatec DC-2300P or the HAFCO W329.
(I would buy the Carbatec unit from Total Tools instead as it comes with free shipping).

Basically, I only need the 3hp motor and fan housing, so I will strip down the unit and the rest will end in hard rubbish. I don't need any filters as I will have the exhaust going outside (The nearest neighbour is 3km away

).
The woodchips will be collected in a big box made from formply and the fine dust will be vented in the atmosphere.
I would attach 6" DWV pipe (Holman from Bunnings) as the central pipe with 6" metal blastgates. I would also install a remote switching device.
This would be a much cheaper option then say a Laguna system.

The HAFCO is rated at 2300 CFM and has a 2.2 kW motor.
The Carbatec is listed as a 3hp motor but is in fact a bit less and is only rated at 1800CFM.
The Carbatec has the advantage that it comes with a mid-section of square pipe that seems to be easy to modify to match a round 150mm DWV pipe as the Hafo has only one exhaust pipe section.
So, it would be a clearcut decision to buy the HAFCO.
However, on the forums, one can read that the HAFCO motor is an inferior design and the stator windings are prone to delamination.

Both units come with square pipe outlets (??) and will need to be modified to match a 6" DWV pipe. (I am able to do the metal modifications myself).

I was also looking at the 3hp Timbecon unit but they are not in stock and they seem to be cheap copies of other units.

It seems with dust extractors in Australia to be very hard to pick someting midrange. It is either cheap inferior crap or over the top units like Clearvue or Laguna.
I am willing to spend around $1,500 all in (Motor 2.2kW, fan housing, remote and 150mm DWV pipe with 6" metal blast gates).

So, my questions are:
W329 or DC-2300P?
What is the true CFM ratings of the before-mentioned units?
Where to buy the 6" metal blastgates from?
Which remote control system to buy?

If somebody can give me some insight in this then I will be forever grateful!
Have a graet day and thanks.

Luke
Melbourne

**Chris Parks** · 18th January 2021, 02:13 PM

Use the unit that has the biggest impeller.

**BobL** · 18th January 2021, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by LRAT

So, my questions are:
W329 or DC-2300P?

They are both 12" impellers so will perform about the same.
Without any filters and using a short/naked 6" inlet expect about 1100CFM
As soon as you connect ducting, junctions and machinery the flow will drop off significantly <1000 CFM

Be careful running them without any filters unless you monitor the current drawn by the motor - the added flow will mean greater current and the higher currents may overheat the motor and long terms damage the motor. Connecting them to machinery will usually provide enough restriction to prevent over heating but that means you can use it for general ventilation or naked dust opening extraction eg on a lathe.

Where to buy the 6" metal blastgates from?

Carbatech usually have them but see they don't currently have them on their website.
Otherwise Amazon?

Also what about these - have no idea how reliable this mob are
POWERTEC 70227 Aluminum Blast Gate, 6" 6-Inch
Reviews are mixed - its registered to a house in Sao Paolo Brazil - maybe give it a miss?

Which remote control system to buy?

What do you mean, Just DC remote control or full blast gate and DC control?

**LRAT** · 18th January 2021, 06:08 PM

Thank you BobL. That is very useful info! Much appreciated!
Remote control is intended to switch on and off the DC. I will open the blast gates by hand.
Cheers,

Luke

**BobL** · 18th January 2021, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by LRAT

Thank you BobL. That is very useful info! Much appreciated!
Remote control is intended to switch on and off the DC. I will open the blast gates by hand.
Cheers,

Luke

I think Auotblastgates.com have these - I think you have to by pass the DC switch
Chris Parks will know about these.

**Bushmiller** · 18th January 2021, 08:47 PM

Luke

You may find this thread of some interest, particularly as you are in the process of setting up.

Auto Blast Gates Australia is Now Open For Business (woodworkforums.com)

Regards
Paul

**LRAT** · 19th January 2021, 09:42 AM

Hi BobL,

I've ordered 10 of these blastgates from Brazil for... $99.00 all in (Including shipment).
If it is true it will be a great price, if not, then I will be covered by my credit card policies. (I hope).
How did you come accross this link?

)
I will let you know when they arrive.
Initially I was going to order them from Rockler.
Thanks for sharing that information (And your warning advice as well).
Cheers,

Luke

**LRAT** · 19th January 2021, 09:47 AM

Thanks Paul, but as with everything on the Australian market it is well beyond my budget.
I needed 10x 6" blastgates and that would have been well over $3,000 !
I bought 10 manual ones as shown in the comment of BobL.
Thanks for your reply.
Cheers,

Luke

**BobL** · 19th January 2021, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by LRAT

Hi BobL,
I've ordered 10 of these blastgates from Brazil for... $99.00 all in (Including shipment).
If it is true it will be a great price, if not, then I will be covered by my credit card policies. (I hope).
How did you come accross this link?

)

I did search for "6inch blast gates price"

I will let you know when they arrive.
Initially I was going to order them from Rockler.
Thanks for sharing that information (And your warning advice as well).

Good luck - I think a lot of people will be interested - even if it's to find out that it's not legit.

**LRAT** · 19th January 2021, 11:41 AM

I should have mentioned that I paid 99 US Dollars, not Australian.

**warrick** · 19th January 2021, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by BobL

Also what about these - have no idea how reliable this mob are
POWERTEC 70227 Aluminum Blast Gate, 6" 6-Inch
Reviews are mixed - its registered to a house in Sao Paolo Brazil - maybe give it a miss?

Giving them a miss looks to be the right decision

Rick

Annotation 2021-01-19 104011.jpg

**Wrongwayfirst** · 19th January 2021, 07:13 PM

I have a 2 hp fan/motor housing on a base in my garage that was too good to go to hard rubbish, ie missing the dust collection stuff. You don’t say where in Melbourne you are but this is located in geelong, let me know if you are interested

**havabeer69** · 19th January 2021, 09:05 PM

Also look elsewhere for your pipe and fittings then bunnings

They're alot cheaper at places like tradelink (reece if you have trade account)

**Aussiephil** · 19th January 2021, 10:38 PM

I'm sorry but based on the thread title.....
I watch far to much TV, from the movie Master and Commander....

“Two weevils crept from the crumbs. 'You see those weevils, Stephen?' said Jack solemnly.

I do.'

Which would you choose?'

There is not a scrap of difference. Arcades ambo. They are the same species of curculio, and there is nothing to choose between them.'

But suppose you had to choose?'

Then I should choose the right-hand weevil; it has a perceptible advantage in both length and breadth.'

There I have you,' cried Jack. 'You are bit - you are completely dished. Don't you know that in the Navy you must always choose the lesser of two weevils? Oh ha, ha, ha, ha!”

― Patrick O'Brian

**LRAT** · 20th January 2021, 09:01 AM

Hi Wrongwayfirst,
Thanks for the offer and I would take it off you in a jiffy, but I really want to go for 3hp as my workshop is rather big (29mx12m).
I live in Kinglake.
Thank you very much for your kind offer but I will pass on it.
Cheers,

Luke

- - - Updated - - -

Yes, I do remember that scene

)
It's one of my favorite movies to test out my sound system!

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