Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Sep 05, 2008 05:17pm | #1

   I built a plywood chip-collection bin for my cyclone.   Putting a window in it just required cutting a slot in the plywood, and covering it with acrylic.  The acrylic is fastened with screws through it into the wood, and caulking to seal.    Perhaps you could do something like that to a fiberboard drum, although fastening the flat acrylic to the curved surface is likely to be trickier.  However, persevere:  a window is a very good thing.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 05, 2008 05:31pm | #2

   Yes..

   You will not need a thick piece of acrylic if you just cut a slot 1/2 - 1 inch wide? Whatever... Thin acrylic can be formed using a common hair drier. I have had it frost-up with too much heat applied.

   I have formed acrylic many times but not for your application. However, think it would be easy to do. 

   You would not need a long length. Just something to show the dust when it is above the height you would like to empty at. 

2. 
   Jfrostjr | Sep 05, 2008 06:53pm | #3

   I assume there is "positive" air pressure in the drum - though not a great deal. Correct?Frosty"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Sep 06, 2008 06:34am | #7

   "I assume there is "positive" air pressure in the drum - though not a great deal. Correct?"

   No, there is negative pressure inside the drum.   The impeller is sucking air from the tools, through the cylcone, and into the impeller.   As it goes through the impeller, it gets positive pressure which pushes it through the filter.

3. 
   Jfrostjr | Sep 07, 2008 04:11pm | #12

   Thanks for all your comments. I always appreciate the prompt and thoughtful responses from this group.Frosty"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

2. 
   PeterDurand | Sep 05, 2008 08:45pm | #4

   Oh man, can I ever relate to that. I saw the JDS with a window in the drum. And the the drum is on ROLLERS. I wish Oneida would see fit to sell a drum kit with those features.

   Cheers,

   Peter

    

   Better life through Zoodles and poutine...

1. 
   jointerman | Sep 07, 2008 08:42am | #10

   I don't mean to gloat, but I just got my small JDS the other day (still massive in my small shop). I love the window on the can, I love watching the chips spin around by the window!

2. 
   Garry | Sep 16, 2008 11:15pm | #13

   I have got one of these New JDS collectors as seen herehttp://www.superwoodworks.com/Projects/ShopShots.htm

   just remember to look at the window while planing.http://www.superwoodworks.com

3. 
   kreuzie | Sep 06, 2008 04:24am | #5

   Cut a hole in the drum, and use thin acrylic, about 1/16".

    A longer piece will better conform to the curvature of the drum.

   Fasten with small, short machine bolts and nuts (with washers) Nylon insert nuts would work well in this application. A bead of caulk or some kind of sealant between the drum and window wouldn't hurt.

   Drill the acrylic with a not-so-sharp bit at a low speed.

   kreuzie

   
   

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   Edited 9/5/2008 9:26 pm ET by kreuzie

4. 
   Dave45 | Sep 06, 2008 04:30am | #6

   I have one of those "windows" on my Jet 1100 and I find that I get the best results if I empty it when the window is ~1/2 full. Mine also has the pleated cartridge top filter with the cleaning paddles. The paddles get 8-10 turns every couple of days, but when the lower bag is ~1/2 full, it's time to empty it and give the top filter a good cleaning.

   You can check the level in the lower bag by giving it a few thumps to find the top of the sawdust. Just make sure that you don't let it fill completely. You don't really want to know how big a mess it is to wait too long to empty the bag. - lol

5. 
   bigdruid | Sep 07, 2008 03:37am | #8

   I have the 1 1/2 hp. Onieda DC with a 55 gal. drum for dust collection connected to the DC with 8" clear flex tube. Because I use 55 gal. garbage bags in the drum I can't put a window in the drum to see when it's full so I mounted a  60 watt work light behind the clear tubing and you can easily tell when the drum is full. Then slide the drum out from the DC, tie the bag shut, tip the drum over sideways and the full bag slides out easily.

1. 
   PeterDurand | Sep 07, 2008 08:18am | #9

   Merci. Thanks. 

   Better life through Zoodles and poutine...

2. 
   Jfrostjr | Sep 07, 2008 04:09pm | #11

   That sounds like a real slick idea. I'll give it a try. Thank you.Frosty"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

6. 
   Talma | Sep 17, 2008 07:24pm | #14

   Here's some plans on how to make your own dust level sensor.

    

   http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/DustLevelSensor.cfm

1. 
   Jfrostjr | Sep 17, 2008 10:13pm | #15

   Thanks. That one looks like a good practical solution.Here I come Radio Shack.Frosty"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922