Best Place to purchase cyclone DC???
loucarabasi
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
Hey Fellas, Looking to purchase a new dust collector (cyclone) Anyone know of any good places?
Thanks, Lou
Replies
Lou:
Go to Jet web site and look up thru zip code (see link below) . jet now makes a cyclone dust collectors. Good luck.
http://www.jettools.com/shop/index.cfm?navPage=4&iid=6056075&vid=1
As I've posted recently, I bought an Oneida Dust Gorilla. I was truly amazed at the quality when the unit arrived - top flight right down to the nuts and bolts; built like a tank.
As to performance, my shop does seem cleaner since I replaced the 'pleated, cannister filter' regular DC.
Frosty
First, consider this a must read:
http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/Index.cfm
His site also has directions for how to roll your own.
Second, check out:
http://www.clearvuecyclones.com
and
http://www.pennstateind.com
or
http://www.oneida-air.com/
Personally, I'm probably going to go with Penn State to pick up my cyclone in the next couple of months. I don't have the time to roll my own and I can't afford Clear Vue. Penn's aren't as efficient as Bill's design, but Penn's current models are the result of a consult with Bill on how to improve the design. Clear Vue is selling Pentz cyclones.
On the rumor mill front (please take with several grains of salt!), I have heard good things about Clear Vue and Penn customer service when you run into problems. Oneida doesn't have such a good rep if you hit a problem, but wonderful otherwise. Again, all rumors and circumstantial scuttlebutt.
First though, I have to wait for the tax refund to come in and to clear out some space in the shop (aka my garage). <sigh>
Glen
Glen,
Thanks for the info.
The Penn State price is seductive, but I don't like their performance on the CFM vs. static pressure graph. Check out Oneida's graph: http://www.oneida-air.com/aww_airflow_tests.htm
Does anybody who's had one of the Penn State cheaper, entry-level models have any comments - good or bad?
aj kelly
As I understand it, the methods manufacturers use to measure static pressure and air flow vary widely and are often performed with no load. The January 2006 issue of American Woodworker had a review of a variety of models and they performed a consistent test on all the models they reviewed.
Morning AJ...
"Does anybody who's had one of the Penn State cheaper, entry-level models have any comments - good or bad"?
aj kelly
****************************************************
Not yet AJ, but I will in a couple of weeks. I ordered the 2 HP Tempest with the 6" in-let for the price $595 and the fact I feel it will do what I am asking for my situation.
If I do report it does that, in fairness the circumstances may not be exactly the same as most might use it for. The 6" cyclone will be located center shop and all 4 of my major dust-makers (20" planer.. 8" jointer.. Uni-saw.. 18" BS) are located pretty much backed around that spot intentionally.
I am running a metal 6" pipe from the cyclone outlet straight down 4' and end it with a wye "Y" connector. From there I will attach a single 8" foot long 6" flex pipe to one side of the "Y" and cap the other. That flex pipe will hang on a pole the cyclone backs up to when not in use. I have converted all 4 of the above machines to 6" ports by simple flange hoods as all had existing holes large enough to accommodate the 6" dust ports.
When I need a machine, I just attach the hanging flex pipe to it with quick connect and go to work. So..... all machines will get 6" flow from the smaller HP cyclone straight to the machine as the the longest run I have under these circumstances is 8' combined with the 4' of metal pipe from the machine itself. That's gives me 12' feet of 6" run maximum on one single line with no reduction at all from cyclone to machine. I see that as delivering as much efficiency as I can get.
I could have purchased the larger PS or Oneida, but with conditions I intentionally created I felt it totally un-necessary and over-kill in both power needed and price to get the job done. I am guessing that my match-up should "suck your socks off". If wrong.. I will be the first to admit it. I'm going to either turn out to be either stupid or brillant. :>)
Time will tell.. time will indeed tell!
Regards...
Sarge.. jt
Edited 3/22/2007 9:38 am ET by SARGEgrinder47
I had a PSI 1 1/2 HP conventional DC. I upgraded by replacing the filter bag with a pleated cannister. That helped but I could never get a tight seal on the chip bag to DC body. I even added foam insultion stripping to help. Plus, when it came time to change out the bag I had to dose up on tranquilizers. (kidding) I finally switched to the Oneida Dust Gorilla. The place seems much cleaner now.1. The PSI unit seemd well built and they were easy to deal with. I don't know if other brands have the same problems I did.2. I gave the old PSI unit to a friend who is starting a shop. It was not trashed.3. I chose the Oneida because of their good reputation AND because they were 2' lower in overall height which was very important to me.Frosty
Hi AJ,That's a good point regarding the measured performance. Penn is claiming different values, so I wonder if Oneida's test is with an older Penn model?There's an SP vs. AF curve at the bottom of:
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/tempest-s-series.html
and:
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/temp142.htmlNotably, Penn isn't comparing itself to anyone else. I don't know if they're taking the high road there or if they're just trying to avoid creating more confusion. I'm feeling generous today, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.And of course neither mfg publishes *who* did the study or *when* the study was done. Caveat emptor, as usual. :-)It looks like Oneida has put up more information on their systems and doing direct comparisons to the competition. Or I was blind before and just now noticed it. Granted, you have to take it with a grain of salt (or three), but the extra info is nice.One thing Oneida isn't calling out very well and that Penn only does marginally is sub-micron filter performance. Penn is claiming 99.7 @ 1/2 micron whereas Oneida is only going down to 1 micron. Food for thought.
Morning Lou...
After much comparisons and shopping... I pulled the trigger on a Penn State cyclone yesterday. I have a Penn State DC currently and can tell you they are a small company that meets all customer service demands "heads up" from past experience.
Combined with good product quality..very reasonable pricing.. 5 year warranty.. customer service and their techs knowledge of what it takes for you particular shop lay-out.... I felt again as I did when shopping for the first DC I got the "best bang for my buck" by going Penn State!
They've got cyclones that range from $495 on up the ladder depending on motor size.. type of bag or cannister.. etc. etc..
Regards...
Sarge.. jt
Dear Lou,
Oneida
John
I ended up getting a ClearVue after a painfully long decision making process. I started the install then had to stop a few months ago as it just got way too cold in the unheated shop to do any work. I'm getting ready to start tackling the ducting shortly. So I cant give you a review yet but it's certainly going to work better than my previous shop-vac setup. I will tell you though that I don't think you'd find better customer service anywhere. Both before and after the sale I'd email or call Ed at ClearVue with more questions. I got calls back from Ed in pretty short order - weekends, nights, whenever. I've also been adding pics regularly to a gallery page on CVs website as the installation progresses. I got one or two emails from Ed with unsolicited tips or advice in response to something he'd seen in one of my pics. I have no clue where the guy finds time to have a life:-)
If you build it he will come.
Lou:
I have a 2HP Super Gorilla by Oneida. I am completely satisfied with the performance and service from Oneida.
I suggest you give them a serious look.
Best of luck.
Hastings
Lou, my decision was driven by my 7'10" over head , less in some areas due to the soil lines for the 3 bed room ranch above the shop. I was impressed with the super performance numbers of the JDS units in that review and bought the 3hp . an 8" main, FULL SIZE trash canister, no extras for brackets -cans-fittings etc. and they give you two switches, one magnetic installed and a mechanical if you want to use remote gates to turn it on. I got a great deal from Woodcraft and picked it up at the store (no shipping) but bring two friends. Paddy
All, I am going with this unit from oneida. I'm getting ready to set up the new shop. Any advice on ducting for my machines. I dont want to make any hasty decisions becouse I may want to mave machines around.
Lou:That's a big, bad a** sucker!I went with the crimped ducting from Oneida; it's reasonably priced but I wouldn't want to do a big install with it. If I were to do it again, I would use something that fits together with the clamps etc. It will also make it easier to change your layout.Hastings
Dear Lou,
Wow! That's a sick set up! I have the 3 hp and it pulls like H#!!, The 5 hp may take your shirt right off! I had Oneida design my duct system as they know how to properly step down the pipe and where for a balanced system. I have a floor sweep, SCMS, TS, Planer & Jointer. I can run any two machines with no loss of collection and three with a minimum drop. I have approximately 120' - 150' of ductwork and it works very well. Let them design it, even if you don't buy the ductwork from them, at least you will have a design to start with and a material list. Good Choice!Best,JohnPS Floor Sweep: my kids LOVE it they ASK to sweep up !
Edited 3/22/2007 7:49 pm ET by Jmartinsky
Lou,
I agree with John completely, let Onieda design your layout. I have the 5HP and I had them design the system and it works flawlessly. I connected every machine with the clear spiral wire hose off of spiral seam ducts with the seams calked with silicone. I would use that Gorilla tape if I were doing it now because it would be so much cleaner and that stuff is tough.
Terry
Lou, I wish I had more slack in my ceiling height(read envy here) but I refused to deal with a patched up kit using short collection drums/bags etc. so I went for a monster air mover and will run the 8" main down the center of the shop (spirial duct) then 6" 24 ga.legs along the ceiling with wyes (NO 90° FITTINGS) dropping down the walls or posts to the equipment. At the equipment ( about 2' above finished floor) it becomes plastic drain to very short flex hose bushed down as required.
The whole key to DC is air volume movement to pick up all the trash -don't slow it down- then the filter process to insure that you keep it in the bag/can and not back in the air with you.
You are using a good blower, don't short cut the install. Do it a leg at a time if ya have to as it will pay off in the long run. Paddy
btw. I can not at this time open pdf files -soon to be cured- pfh
Lou,
Others have said this, some have challenged this. Oneida's are built like a tank, seem to have thoroughly thought thru the design and related issues. I believe that they will outperform most of the imported models (Oneida is made in USA). My experience is that they do perform as advertised. It is my belief that they have taken the high road when comparing actual test results, didn't have to name the others since most of them use no load results for their claims to greatness.
Personally, I am not to fond of their crimped elbows. The Nordfab type style of ducting is the most flexible, but it is the most expensive to. I set my ducting up using 24 ga. spiral pipe and matching fittings. If you order the fittings with spotwelds and wipe the joints with silicone caulk they perform just as well as fully welded fittings at 1/3 of the cost.
If you can locate who manufactures custom ductworks for commercial jobs in your area you can probably deal with them directly instead of ordering thru a supplier who will just order your parts from the fabricator and then mark them up to you. Best of luck.
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