Stuart Ablett
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- Messages
- 15,917
- Location
- Tokyo Japan
While I agree with you about a properly-powered cyclone being better, not all of the single stage DCs are the dust distributors you make them out to be. A 0.5 micron filter is a 0.5 micron filter, regardless of the machine it's hooked up to. A good cyclone does have more airflow and will indeed capture more dust at the tool, but a good single stage will blow out no more dust than a comparably-filtered cyclone.
In my shop, even the best DC system wouldn't be able to catch all the dust. When I use the air hose to blow the sanding dust off something on the lathe, there's no way to get all of it in a DC scoop. This is especially true when blowing out a hollow form as it gets hollowed. It shoots dust and shavings in a 15' circle. That's why, even with the DC running, I wear lung protection.
Had I waited until I could afford a cyclone, I would have breathed a lot more dust than I have to date. I consider it $300 well spent, and in my current economic situation, a better DC is still way off in the future.
Not disagreeing with you Vaughn
And your modified DC is head and shoulders above most out there.
Most DCs even the ones with the fancy filters on them get a cake on the filters very quickly that cause the airflow to drop drastically, which makes them MUCH less effective at capturing the dust at the tool, the super fine dust that unless it is caught at the tool will float around in one's shop for a very long time. The dust that piles up on the floor etc, that one can sweep up, well unless one sticks their face into the pile inhales, it is rather harmless, the dust that causes all the problems is the super fine stuff. If the air flow, or CFM drops too low, most of that super fine dust is NOT caught.
Vaughn you make a very good point about not catching it all, that is absolutely correct, that is why I have an ambient air cleaner and run my exhaust fan while down in the Dungeon.
Most of you above workshop dwellers can just open a garage door or such to exchange your air.
I do not want to start an argument, but continue a discussion