I’ve about finished my new shop and would like to install a DC system. I’ve been planning on using the Oneida 1.5 system with external filter. I’ve got a wooden floor mounted over cement using 2×6 sleepers so I have room for the five inch piple.
A couple of questions — is the Oneida system as good as it sounds and is rated? Does their radial arm/sliding miter saw hood work? Do I need to built a plywood hood around the hood to catch the dust/sawdust. If so, has anyone seen any plans in any of the woodworking magazines.
The system is costly but I expect a big improvement over my ten year old Powermatic.
Any comments, recommendations? Thanks for the help.
Don
Replies
The only dust collector I've had is the Onieda. I like it a lot.
All my ductwork was sized according to their recommendations.
The only problems I've had are with collecting the dust at the tool. Some tools have well designed hoods and others don't. It also matters what size dust the tool generates. For the planer and jointer I get essentially 100% collection, not only because the waste is more chips than dust, but because the hoods are well designed by the manufacturer right into the machine. For the table saw I don't capture all the fine dust. The blade just flings it so fast that it can't be trapped by my collector. The collection point is my homemade box under the saw. It traps material below the saw well, but the top of the blade has no collection, so I get dust off the top of the blade. The chop saw is another difficult tool to make up a hood for, because you have to allow for tilting the saw, so it's hard to get a hood to really enclose the work area.
I will say the filtration on the Oneida is excellent. No visible dust comes out the exhaust. I recommend the optional muffler. It helped noticeably, although it's still not a quiet tool.
If I were choosing a DC now, that would be my pick. It always seems to come to the top of ratings in mag reviews, and everyone around here who has one sings its praises.
The dust problems Wayne5 mentions (with TS and CS) are inherent to any DC.
Are you sure you have the headroom for this unit? It is taller than most.
Don,
I have the 2hp model with internal filter and 35 gal waste container. It fits nicely in a shop with an 8' ceiling. I also have the muffler and it makes a significant difference in the noise. You can actually talk in a normal tone and be heard.
The smartest thing I did was let Oneida design the duct system and I followed it to the letter. 5" duct may be okay for 1.5 system but I would hang those rascals overhead if Oneida says to use a 6" main line. My system starts with a run of 7" tapering to 6" and then to 5" for much of the run.
For most of my tools - cabinet saw, RAS and wide belt sander, I use 5" ports. For the planer, planer/joiner and band saw I use 4" ports and on the router cabinet I use 2- 3" ports. I also use a 3" port for the overhead blade guard/DC on the cabinet saw. I will convert the planner to 5" port this winter.
The RAS DC is always a problem unless you are mainly cutting 90's. I use an old modified Craftsman RAS collector hood and it works okay.
Like most things you always regret not getting "bigger". I got such a great deal on a demo unit that I couldn't resist it although my shop really could use the 3hp model. My point, if 1.5 hp is adequate for your needs now, consider the 2hp unit to handle the future. The increase in the air handling capacity is well worth the extra cost.
Doug
How did you go about getting a demo unit?
Michael
Michael,
Bought it from a guy who bought it from the Mini-max folks after their last wood working show. They didn't want to frieght it back to where-ever and sold it to him at the show. He never used it and I got a great deal on a super system.
Doug
Don,
Oneida makes very nice systems. I believe them all to be very high quality. None of us can tell whether or not the 1.5HP system will be good for you. There are significant performance differences in Oneida's various cyclones and everyone's DC needs are different. So the results that one gets out of their Oneida may or may not apply to your situation.
The key is to get the appropriately sized system for your shop. If you haven't already, take the time to talk to the Oneida reps. Send them your proposed shop layout and DC location and ask them which DC will handle your current and future (don't forget about that) needs. If I recall correctly, there was only about $250 difference between the 1.5HP component and the 2HP commercial (about 30%). So for about 30% extra money, you get about 50% more performance (630cfm @ 5.1SP vs. 954cfm @ 5.4SP).
Good luck,
--Rob
I'ver had my 1.5 HP system for about six years and I'm happy with it and would do it again -- maybe getting the 2.0 HP model. A couple of things not mentioned by the other guys: a bigger (optional 50-gallon) collector drum means less emptying; a second-stage dust collector (I use one of those trash cans with a plastic cyclone-type cover) at the planer and jointer will keep the Oneida drum from filling up fast if you do much planing; an overarm blade guard/dust collector will help with capturing the fine table saw dust; and you can modify the RAS and chop saw hoods with plywood to improve the capture areas. You'll also need an extra long 3-inch flex hose on the shrouds of these saws to allow them to have full swings. Oneida didn't agree with me about the need for a secondary drum to collect waste at my planer and jointer, but that thing fills up fast with the heavy stuff and is easier to empty than the main drum which is located in a closet and harder to get at. Also, at least as it is in my shop, I don't think you can expect anywhere near 100% collection. The good news is that the Oneida does very well with really fine dust, but -- as someone else has pointed out -- much of the efficiency has to do with how the dust is collected at the source. (My Powermatic 66 table saw is about as efficient at dust control as a lawnmower.) However, I do believe the Oneida system is about as well designed and effective as any system would be for a small shop and the main unit and fitting are well made. If you buy one, plan it taking a couple of days to set up at least.
Dear Don,
As noted by others, let Oneida design the system. I have the 3 hp model and it works great. Installed it about three years ago and nevr looked back. Ask them about a remote start. I use the "long Ranger 3", but my understanding is that it will no longer work with the new 3 hp units. The 2 hp and under are no problem. As far as cost goes, considering what new lungs go for, I'd say it's money well spent. Good Luck!
John
Donshop,
I too have the 2HP Oneida set up the way they suggested from my shop plan. That's a free service if you by the system. I agree with most of the other posts. I have a shop made ceiling mounted TS blade guard with a 4" pickup as well as under table pickup. The blade guard works well when it can be used, but the saw tosses sawdust in operations where the guard cannot be used or cannot be placed close to the work as when cross cutting with a miter gauge.
I agree, the SCMS is a problem. My setup has a 2" hose to the blade guard outlet and a 4" hose which I have attached to a couple of shop built shrouds none of which are very successful at picking up the sawdust. I'm still mulling over a better way if there is one.
If calculations show you need 6" duct and you still want to go beneath the floor, you could squeeze 6" galvanized duct down to a 5½" oval and you would not loose any significant amount of flow because the cross sectional area wouldn't change and would be so close to round it wouldn't matter. It would be better to do that than to use 5" duct if the plan calls for 6".
I also have the 1.5 HP Oneida and am very happy with it. The 2 HP model came out just after I bought mine. I wish I had more power
Stephen J. Gaal
I would also take a look at the Woodsucker. http://www.woodsucker.comI has gotten good comments from my MiniMax group and I'm seriously considering the Woodsucker unit._________________________________
Michael in San Jose
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell
Michael,
Its too bad they did not compare the Woodsucker 2hp to the Oneida 2hp. Instead they compared it to an Oneida 1.5hp DC. Since they make such a big deal about proper testing - which I agree with - their ethical concerns in market comparisions seem a bit misplaced.
Having said theat, I'm sure this machine if far better than most bag and canister types and for not a whole lot more money.
Doug
There trying to positiion their unit between the "consumer" and "pro" units Oneida sells.I don't have a problem with their model to model comparison as long as it is honest. Give me the straight facts and I'm smart enough to make my decision._________________________________
Michael in San Jose
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell
True. The Woodsucker sits in between the 1.5 and 2HP models for Oneida on price and performance.
It's still a nice DC system and if it has enough power for your application, well, its a good buy.
--Rob
I am also stuck with size limitations and not wanting the Oneida interior filter. The Woodsucker meets my requirments._________________________________
Michael in San Jose
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell
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