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Thread: Total Tools 3hp Dust Extractor
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8th February 2014, 05:03 PM #1GOLD MEMBER
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Total Tools 3hp Dust Extractor
I have a generic 3hp (FM 300S) twin bag dust extractor (like this http://res0.graysonline.com/handlers...50142812000000) that I am planning to link to a ducted system for my woodworking shed. I'm hoping that some experienced forum members can help me with some suggestions/advice on the best way to go to maximise the efficiency and convenience of use of the system.
My plans include:
- 6" PVC duct approx. 6 metres total length. The blower has a 6" inlet that I've removed the front restriction section from.
- probably 3 6" branches from the main duct fitted with 6" flex hose to table saw, jointer/thicknesser and bandsaw with ability to move to router table/other equipment.
- all branches to be fitted with blast gates in close proximity to the main duct.
- the extractor will be located in an adjacent shed, so outside the woodworking shed.
I have wondered about constructing a Thein style separator to use in the system but am concerned about its potential negative effect on airflow - any thoughts on this?
In the absence of a separator would there be any point in building a baffle to go above the inlet to the filter bags?
Does anybody have practical experience with optimising one of these dust extractors? I was surprised to see that the blower fan is only 12" in diameter. There seems to be space for a 14" one in the volute housing and I would expect the motor would have enough power to drive a larger fan. That being said the inlet (with the outer restriction removed) and the rectangular outlet appear to be fairly well balanced (177 sq cm to 178 sq cm) so maybe a bigger fan wouldn't move too much more air anyway.
Any advice or assistance would be greatly appreciated.
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8th February 2014, 07:15 PM #2.
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While it will keep the bags from filling up and maybe the filters cleaner for a bit longer it will also immediately rob about 25% of the flow. Remember its the flow that moves the fine dust out of the shed and you'll need every bit of flow you can get. I always reckon it's better to keep the filters clean and maximise the air flow.
In the absence of a separator would there be any point in building a baffle to go above the inlet to the filter bags?
Does anybody have practical experience with optimising one of these dust extractors?
I was surprised to see that the blower fan is only 12" in diameter. There seems to be space for a 14" one in the volute housing and I would expect the motor would have enough power to drive a larger fan.
It would be pretty soul destroying to put a big effort into fitting a larger impeller and then have to throttle the DC intake down just to keep it alive.
My welding booth fan is like that. Unrestricted it will move ~2600 cfm but draws so much current at this flow rate that it gets VERY hot and trips out. it was never designed to run unrestricted but to push air through a HEPA filter so I have to run it on <50% speed to stop if from tripping out. I can crank it up to full speed for a couple of minutes to really clean out the shed - if it dies it's not a big deal as it cost me nothing.
That being said the inlet (with the outer restriction removed) and the rectangular outlet appear to be fairly well balanced (177 sq cm to 178 sq cm) so maybe a bigger fan wouldn't move too much more air anyway.
if your motor was 3 phase I would recommend a VFD for a 20% boost in flow (trade off being more noise) soft start and current limiting capability.
Once you have moved the DC outside and are using 6" ducting the next most critical aspect of most DC systems with regards to improving flow are the connections to and the air flow inside machines. Only when these have been attended to should you consider doing anything about beefing up the DC.
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9th February 2014, 12:36 AM #3
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9th February 2014, 09:32 AM #4GOLD MEMBER
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Thanks for the advice guys. I suspected that I would be fairly restricted as to any improvements I could make.
With your comments in mind I think the thing to do is install the system and see how it performs as BobL has suggested. I expect the 6" ducting will move enough air for my machines in my relatively small shed (about 4m x 4.5m - just as well all my machines are mobile ) and if the system proves effective in removing the fine dust I really should not be looking to do anything further. However I will certainly keep in mind your suggestion, Pete, re. splitting the airflow in the single outlet duct before the split, it should be doable. Having read your posts BobL and others the size of the ports on my machines is a priority. There is a bit of work to be performed in that area.
Your replies are certainly appreciated and your opinions valued. At least I now feel comfortable going ahead with what I have planned with some confidence. From what I have read on the Forums dust extraction strikes me as one of those 'dark arts' that we get dragged off into when all we really want to do is make a few boxes or a bit of furniture!
Thanks guys.
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