J. Phil Thien's Projects

Quote from: rob219 on May 10, 2009, 12:09:29 PM
Phil were did you get your can from? I live in MN so maybe I can go to the same place. How about fleet farm.

Mills has 'em a lot heavier than HD and Menards - although Menards also has a thicker one that's 32 gal - the 30 gal is thin. The stores may vary but Eden Prairie usually has both and the one up on 65/Central too.

I like to take the hose and insert it into a 4" pvc coupler that I had cut in half. I slip the hose in by turning it or kinda screwing it into coupler section. Then a take a tiny SM screw (1/2" fine) and screw it thru the pvc into the hose - barely protudes inside the hose so nothing catches and it is bang near bullet proof - I have a couple sections of hose that hang from ceiling off the main trunk and when I need a tool thats not tied into the DC piping already I wheel it to the drop area, slap the hose with connection onto the fitting and done. Nice tight fit at the tool too.
I used tape once - works good to but looks dumb and seems to collect gook on it. A screw or 2 seems better and don't fret a leak as the fit is nice and tight. You may not even need a screw but I yank hard on things sometimes so it's extra precaution. Cheap insurance

The coupler connecters (4") run about $1.89 at BORG so when I cut it I got 2 for under a buck apiece. They are designed to go around the 4" pvc and fit nicely around all the tool connecters I've had from Rockler, LV, WC, and the ones they sometimes already have on a tool. when you get it. And on the router table I simply used a piece of 4" pvc glues into the cabinet and slipped it over that. I guess that makes sense since that was what they were designed to be used with. LOL
No fittings are ever exactly the same in OD nor are hoses from different vendors. The coupler a hair loose on the fitting? - rough it up w/ sandpaper a bit. Snug. Hose a bit off and large - use a heat gun/blow dryer for 10 seconds to soften, stick it. Done. Under-sized - tape on end. Never had the problem but I imagine it could happen? Try getting that thing OVER a connecter --- never happen. Couplers are the answer.
A simple, very solid at the tool hook-up/disconnect that takes a real beating.

I've gone the hose to the fitting route and really like this a lot better. If a clog or other reason to remove the hose from the tool is required I can do it in 3 seconds. No strain on the ends of the hose either. Win-Win

And use the tin walled stuff - it's called #2729 or the 30xx stuff (IMO heavier than needed). Don't use the Sch 40 stuff.

** already started making them in 6" for the change over, as well as the blast gates I'll need then. Enjoy how much cheaper all these 4" things are vs the 6". It's absurd how much more things are in 6" .......

I had added a Wynn (paper one) to that HF and it was nice --- but the thing really hated MDF and would cake up sooooooo
bad I had to go back to the bags. I could at least get them cleaner - actually ended up tearing up a part of that Wynn when I was really wacking on it.

So the new HF has a bigger motor - I bet I drew about 16-18amps on startup with the old one since it popped a 15a breaker all the time. I ended up tossing it on a new 20a circuit I ran for it.

I found 6" 2729 pvc today - 10' at $17.99 so I will be changing it over sometime sooner than anticipated. The wyes and 45's were real costly - I'm in no rush and will wait for them to go on sale. I tested the DC with a 6" piece direct on the blower and wow --- I've used the 2 - 4"s off the wye it shipped with and been happy but using a 6" --- what a difference. Whenever I do the swap out I'll think the time will be well spent doing so.

Lazy ..... oh how I know that feeling. I have about 18-20 started projects and none completed. Now the weathers wonderful and I want to be outside so ... things again on hold  :-[

DB - thanks for the feedback. I'm leaning that way more and more I guess. What I would love to do is scrap out that bottom bag and have a trash can instead to simplify the process but from what I have read it means I must add a larger top bag. I've cheched on this a couple of places and the cost gets upwards of $150. Mighty painfull at the moment to keep adding to the want list.

That "cheapo" HF you have was one I had and I loved that critter after I upgraded the original bags (30 micron back then) to some felt ones from Rockler. I bet they ship today with better ones than they had on mine.
It just hummed along day after day. I replaced it with a Delta and wish that never was done - the Delta died after warranty ended of course and the HF still works fine across the street where the new owner lives. One of the dumbest moves I coulda made. I liked the green color better too.  :D

The PSI that is here now has a bonafide 12" impeller and it has loads of suction. I really love it but hate dumping the bag(s) - been doing the unthinkable and using a lot of that miserable MDF lately and what a PITA to slap it out of the bags. Even with a seperater/baffle I'll likley have some in the top bag but either way it will be less I hope.

U close to adding one?

Can I restate a bit .... how big a hit would one think I'd take using a pre-seperater? Talking maybe 20% drop off or such?
I can live with that - more I'm thinking it needs to be inside.

Or maybe I can consider flipping it by making a mount similar to the Delta's and have the seperater underneath?
This is getting me mighty confused to be honest :-\

you are me? lol

Okay - here's what I got and done and from here I need some thoughts.

I have a Penn State DC, 2hp model 2000B I think its called. Bags are the 1 micron it shipped with. Love this DC - best one I've owned to date by a mile.

I ran pvc duct -- only 4" I hate to admit, for maybe 16' total. 3 drops, and short lengths of 4" hose off to tool. I'm mainly mobile with all tools on bases, share the shop (garage) space wih a car so I do shift around the RT, jointer, SCMS when I use to a hose are. I know suction is restricted due to the 4" but so far it still works great. Someday when the $$ shows up I'll swap out to 6".

Okay - my questions:

I want to incorporate Phil's:     A) pre-seperator before the DC
                                          B) add the internal baffle

Which one would you go to minimize loss of suction? I have a 12" fan on the thing but assume it's still choked due to the 4" lines so maybe the pre-seperator not the ticket? If I use the baffle do I need to add over-sized bag or go to a filter to use a trash can underneath instaed of bag #2?

I am mighty open to any ideas. Thanks.

Rockhead
(I'm a landscaper! LOL)