John:
I am a High school woodshop teacher with an ailing cyclonic dust collection system. The unit is an older 7.5 hp “Donaldson” brand dust collector, with sealed steel duct work. I have gone though it to the best of my abilities, but can not find the cause of it’s lack-o-suck. Here’s what I know: Because the ductwork is sealed and riveted together above the shop’s drop panel cieling it is impossible for me to fully explore for clogs, but their are no clogs in the areas that I can get at. Even with every other blast gate completely closed, the dust collector can still only just barely keep up with our 18″ surface planer. It can not keep up with our 10″ jointer, so I’ve given up and disconnected it from that machine. Also, and this is the most telling sign, the cyclonic seperator does not work at all. All of the collected saw dust ends up in the four large filter bags. None ever goes into the 55 gallon drum as it is supposed to. What I’d really like to do is to hire a specialist to come out and fix it. Any suggestions on where I could find such a person?
Keith Landin
Woodshop instructor, Woodstock Academy
Replies
Keith,
I will be driving from Vermont to the Fine Woodworking offices in Newtown CT on Sunday a couple of days from now. Being the school isn't far off of I-84, I could stop in and take a look at your system. Sometime around 2:00 PM would be convenient, but I can be flexible.
I will need to charge for my time, my wife insists (she's right). $50.00 to $100.00 should do it, depending on how much time it takes. It should only take an hour or two unless there is something really strange going on.
I can bill the time to the school, you won't have to pay me on the spot, but I'll take cash anytime.
I'm heading out to dinner right now. Let me know if we can meet on Sunday and I'll get back to you tomorrow. Include your phone number and we'll talk about the details.
John White
Wow! I never expected such a prompt and helpful offer. Too prompt actually. It will be difficult for me to make the necesarry arrangements on such short notice, but I will give it my best shot. First let me see about gaining access to the building on a Sunday. The money thing without first going through official beaurocratic channels is likely to be a problem, so if necessary I'll pay you myself.
My home number is (860) 487-3952. I'll be out most of Saturday (I'm doing some volunteer construction work), but I should be home by the late afternoon/early evening. Hopefully by then I will have found out how/if we can get into the building on a Sunday.
Thanks again,
Keith Landin
I'll call you this evening.John W.
Tried to call, but your AS was out. We still on for Friday?
Keith L.
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