Replies

1. 
   InMyOpinion | Feb 13, 2007 09:03am | #1

   I think imposing a separator will solve your problem. That's a molded lid for a 5 gal. bucket or a 32 gal. trash can. Air will swirl within the can, dropping out the chips and sending on the dust.

   The only problem is the need for a place for the can and some additional 4". jc

1. 
   brad805 | Feb 13, 2007 09:22am | #2

   Room is an issue, but i do have one hanging on the wall.  I have one from lee valley.  2 1/2" dia, do they make a 4"?  A lot of fittings and pressure loss to reduce to the can and increase back to the dust collector.  I didnt think of this. 

1. 
   InMyOpinion | Feb 13, 2007 09:41am | #4

   I don't know why the separator is failing. But I do believe that the size reduction actually speeds the air flow at the can, and therefore do not concur with your theory. Perhaps the separator is too close and/or too high in relationship to the DC, so that the chips are not given opportunity to drop. Sorry. jc

2. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Feb 13, 2007 10:13am | #5

   Brad, my appoliges, I over looked this 2 1/2" comment thread.  The 2 1/2 kills the volume and velocity required to solve your problem , it perhaps was less costly but not the correct solution. Use those fittings for the shop vac. or as a 4" to 2 1/2 bench pickup for sanders/ cs. js etc. it works, and execute the other 4" solution for the bigger tools. Post if you have Questions, I have done this. Your DC should accomodate the equipment in a one at a time manner with no problem.Paddy

2. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Feb 13, 2007 09:35am | #3

   Brad, do not pass go, do not collect any $ just go to Home Dopy, Lowes or your happy hardware store and get a large (32 gal. ) galvanized garbage can, then get a cyclone cover from Leevalley.com and enough 4" hose and their offset 4" clamps(4) to hook up to your DC and you will be a happy person. No worries as our Aussie bros. say.

   Then take that big bag (you did line the trash can with a bag and put  big chunks  of cut offs in the bottom so that the DC didn't suck up the bag?) or tip the can into a bag when it's about 3/4 full and give it to a friend to bed his horses or turn under in his garden . He will love ya but not if it's black walnut or some tropical woods (check it out). Enjoy Paddy.

   EDIT. I forgot to say that the LV offset clamps lay on the same angle as the wires in the 4" hose so you have a tight connection with little or no loss of suction . The can will pick up so much stuff that you will forget how to change the bag on the DC. I did this on a sh!tty sears two bagger and my 13" planner and the 6 1/4" jointer loved it and so did I. I now have a JDS 3 hp cyclone setting up and will keep the old rig just for my lathe, another big chip producer but used much less on a day to day basis. pfh

    

   
   

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   Edited 2/13/2007 1:53 am ET by PADDYDAHAT

3. 
   hammer1 | Feb 13, 2007 05:26pm | #6

   I cut my grid out. I don't use the dust collector for floor sweepings. If you suck up a rag, you could have problems but you might with or without the grid. I don't think there is need for the grid unless you use the collector like a garbage disposal. If someone in the shop would remove the pipe and stick their hand in the running machine, you'd better leave the grid on.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

4. 
   JohnWW | Feb 13, 2007 06:08pm | #7

   The grid is a safety item designed by lawyers to keep people from putting their hands into the impeller, it is not there to protect the impeller from larger debris.

   John W. 

1. 
   brad805 | Feb 13, 2007 06:42pm | #8

   Thanks all.  Lawyers take the fun out of everything don't they, ha!ha! 

5. 
   MBerger | Feb 14, 2007 06:49pm | #9

   I just deleted the last three posts from this thread, which featured some off-color jokes about lawyers and wives. It's not that they weren't funny, they just didn't belong in this discussion.

   If you feel inclined to posts jokes in Knots, please post new messages in the off-topic Woodworkers Cafe folder.

   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

1. 
   fussy | Feb 15, 2007 02:10am | #10

   Matt,

   Didn't mean to hoch anyone's choiniks (ruffle any feathers).  I suppose we need to keep standards high for this forum, and I respect your efforts.  How do I get to the cafe?  Not that I want to start a war.  Just want to see what's going on.  Live long and prosper.

   SteveThere are two secrets to keeping one's wife happy.

   1.  Let her think she's having her own way.

   2.  Let her have her own way. President  Lyndon Baines Johnson

2. 
   alanplanesaw | Feb 18, 2007 04:42pm | #18

   Matt,

   First, my apologies, as, although I didn't look thoroughly, mine was probably one of them.  Your action, and rationale, make sense. 

   Alan - planesaw

6. 
   Keef | Feb 15, 2007 07:35am | #11

   My 1 hp has enough suction to suck up a metal ratchet, a tape measure or chunk of 2X4. Based on experence, DO NOT CUT OUT THE PROTECTIVE METAL CROSS PIECES in the inlet.  You will be making other arrangments later doen the road if you do.....

   I cut the cross pieces out of mine and sucked up a big cotton cloth..bent the impellers. No huge big deal to straighten them (about an hour total time) , but they have to be straight or you get vibration. I've done it about five times.   Now, I have a splice at the end of a 5' hose with "coat hanger" crossmembers affixed to prevent the shirt sucking.  GOd forbid if you ever sucked up a tape measure.  At an hour per repair, thats about 5 total hours.  You could unclog a bunch of times in 5 hours.  JMHO.

   Keef

1. 
   bricky | Feb 15, 2007 07:33pm | #12

   How the hell are you sucking up tape measures and shop rags???? nohing bigger than a planer shaving should be going in the hose,and that wont affect the blades at all .Cut em.

1. 
   Keef | Feb 16, 2007 02:52am | #15

   I have never sucked up a tape measure (but I could see it happening), but while sweeping shavings off the floor, you turn your head just one time.... up goes the shop rag.  I used to drag my single DC hose from tool to tool.  Lay that hose down, reposition the jointer, whoops...up goes the stain rag.  A couple of times while sanding, with the hose clamped to the table top, dammm, I sucked up another t-shirt.    Each time, removed the 12 or so bolts, straighten the bent impellers to a straight edge, realign the top and gasket, and pattern tighten the bolts again. I have since mounted a piping system.  Dont dog me too hard- what i lack in smarts is made up in honesty..

   KB 

1. 
   bricky | Feb 16, 2007 10:16pm | #16

   I'm sorry--didn't mean to "dog" ya--But, you really need to be more careful, all those disappearing items can add up to big bucks!
   Maybe all the money you spent buying new shop rags and t-shirts etc, you could buy yourself a shop-vac--that's what you need.
   What the heck are you doing using it to clean up with anyway?
   It's much harder to clean the dc than a shop vac!
   You know I just had to bust your chops with the tape measure thing.
   And, yes you are probably the most honest person I have talked to yet on this sight!

1. 
   Keef | Feb 16, 2007 11:39pm | #17

   Ha, bricky.  I deserve a little dogging.  On cutting off the guards, its just dammed if you do- and dammed if you dont.

   Mispelling intentional.

   KB

    

2. 
   joinerswork | Feb 18, 2007 05:38pm | #20

   All,

   Working at the Va Craftsmen shop years ago,  their dust collector dumped right into the coal fired furnace.  In the summer, the janitor kept just enough of a fire going to maintain some steam for bending chair parts,  and so that the shavings etc didn't pile up.  One day, as the shop manager, "Pappy" Miller, was adjusting the fence of the shaper, the suction from the collector pulled the baseball cap right off his head.  He immediately tore across the shop and down into the furnace room, and yanked the door of the furnace open just in time to see his cap emerge from the pipe, and  disappear into the flames.  Folks teased him for weeks afterward about letting his hat go up the dust spout.

   Ray

2. 
   AzDiscDog | Feb 22, 2007 07:22pm | #21

   Hi,I'm looking to get a DC in the near future (c'mon birthday!) but I was curious to know how it would perform as a regular "vacuum." I'm either going to go with a normal DC (prob @ 1.5 or 2HP) and a separator or a cyclone if I can swing the cost.Are you able to use your DCs to drive a floor sweep just as well as a shop vac can or will I be stuck with using the shop vac to clean up the floors?As an aside, my wife wants me to look into using the DC as a whole house vac (hence the separator or cyclone). We have hardwood throughout the house, so it's just dust and dog fur that I'd be picking up with the "whole house" DC. I know if I go this way I'll have to get a more powerful DC to handle the drop from the lines. But I'm not saying that's a bad thing... Anybody have any thoughts on that? Has anyone done the same?

7. 
   BruceS | Feb 16, 2007 01:51am | #13

   My Jet 1100 CFM / 1 1/2 HP  DC came with out a grid and I sure don't want one !   And haven't sucked up any tools, 2X4's or rags yet.  Did let loose of the TS arbor nut but it didn't move very fast and was able to shut off DC in time to save it from the Whirling Dervish  ;-)

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

   
   

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   Edited 2/15/2007 5:52 pm ET by BruceS

1. 
   brad805 | Feb 16, 2007 02:18am | #14

   A helpful bunch indeed.  I think i will start with a separator.  I hate cutting things of equipment I buy.  The planer is about the only one causing probs.

   Thanks all

8. 
   nazard | Feb 18, 2007 05:05pm | #19

   Brad,

   I would be interested in how your separator set-up performs on the 1 hp DC.  If you get a chance, please post. 

   Many thanks,

   -Jerry