HF dust collector issues

[cc]

Tried posting but did not see..apologiies if shows up twice

1200 CFM HF (OK maybe 850) DC, 10' straight run using 4" flexible hose (no way to use PVC) off one "y" arm with the other capped..adaptor at RAS from 4" to 2.5"..very poor suction. Having read favorable reviews of the unit, is:

- problem using 4" hose, starving the unit of air > remove 4", use 6" run dedicated for RAS, loose use of it for anything else

- run 6'" to RAS, then use branch and blast gate, come off with 4" hose I can plug into tools as needed, caping the branch to the RAS when in use

Even if one of above works, does not solve problem of low suction to seperator, so how do I fix that?

Didn't think sucking up dust could be so problematic..

C

[Morris Dovey]

| ..adaptor at RAS from 4" to 2.5"..very poor suction.

Yup. Cause and effect. Remove the constriction and suck more dust.

-- Morris Dovey DeSoto Solar DeSoto, Iowa USA

[Pat]

When the air flow is reduced to a low level the suction is greatly reduced. Try taking the cap off the wye and giving it more air. Try adjusting the amount of air to give maximum suction.

[Greg O]

You have a couple things causing you problems, first the 2-1/2" adaptor at the RAS. No dust collector will "suck" well restricted down that far. Run 5" or 6" mains, and SHORT runs of 4" to any tool. do not reduce any farther. Straighter and less elbows is better. You probably can leave open a extra 4" opening on the end of the run and not notice a drop in performance, and it may help. When I use my HF collector I leave the extra 4" port open as it does not seem to make any difference. Remember a dust collector is high CFM, low suction, compared to a shop vac that is low CFM, high suction. The air flow moves the dust and chips more than suction. Greg

[mac davis]

Not sure if I have the same unit... 2 bag model that claims 1.5 hp?

I use 4" hose to the BS and lathe with no problem.. I also use a short 4" to

2.5" reducer at the lathe as a nozzle...

When I was using a plastic garbage can for a separator, it collapsed when I tried to go down to 2.5" hose, so I think the DC itself "sucks pretty good"..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

[Dr. Deb]

All good advice, but you are still limited to about 600-800 CFM with that unit (I know I have/had one). What I did was build a simple platform to go on top of the collector ring (the thing the grey 5" hose goes into) and order two more collector rings from HF and two "shaker felt" bags from Highland Hardware (the stock bags only filter out larger chunks).

Cut the input fittings on one of the new collector rings and slide it inside the other collector ring's input pipe and caulk (in fact caulk all holes not used in both rings). What this does is balances the pressure in both collector bags. Mount the assembled rings on the platform you made and caulk any gaps. Then mount the platform on the DC's collector ring and caulk. Put your new "shaker felt" bags on the two top collector rings and line the bottom "collector bag" with a large black plastic bag. You will have about 1000-1150CFM

I said, "had" above because I took the impeller and remoted it from a cyclone with the discharge blowing outside into a little "outhouse" . That works even better.

Deb