Converting old DC? Suggestions please

[CPG]

Hi,
I bought an older DC which fits on a 55 gallon drum and has a 6" intake and 5" out, it is 2 hp with 12" impeller. Tight budget, so I want to get this running for as little as possible. Of course I'm committed to spending the $ on a paper filter or something on the exhaust for health reasons, but would like to save where I can.
So, would it be better to leave it on the drum and buy a filter that can withstand some wear (from poor separation), or should I build some kind of cyclone unit for underneath that would separate more of the dust (and so I wouldn't have to lift off the whole top whenever I need to empty it). If I go with the cyclone underneath, could I still use the top base, even though it is not centered? The cyclone website everyone talks about usually has the air intake in the side, and a centered impeller.

I'm new to the website, so this may be something that has come up before. Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

[lrogers]

First off, welcome aboard. What you could do is use the unit you have just as it is with a filter bag or canister filter. You can also make a very simple separator from a trash can, a couple pices of ply wood and some PVC fittings. You then hook your collector into one fitting with a hose and run a hose from the other fitting to the tool. The garbage can then becomes a separator that works quite well. If you keep several inches of water in the garbage can, the water traps the dust and you won't even need a filter. The down side is thatyou end up with saw dust mush. I used this method with a 5 gallon bucket and a shop vac before I had a big cyclone built and it worked quite well. If you hit the search feature here, you will find some very nice photos of some of the separators others here have made. They aren't fancy, just a tightfitting plywood lid with an inlet and out let. Some of the supply companies like ROCKLER, make a plastic lid that fits over the trash can (large size) or 5 gallon bucket (small size for use with a shop vac). Either way, you avoid the need for metal work.

[Hoover]

I recommend you visit Bill Pentz's web site on dust collection, cyclones, and related info.
http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/index.cfm

[lrogers]

Between your collector and the separator, I'd run a piece of 6" hose. From the separator to the tool I'd run 4" and use an adapter at the tool. Most of my tools have 2 1/2" dust ports. I got a 4x2 1/2" adapter for the tools and hook the hose to that using a 4" quick connect. On my system, I have a central 6" line in the ceiling that wye's off to each side of the shop and a section of 4" for each side. I made a couple of simple blast gates so I could isolate one side or the other. If you click on the link in my tag line, and look in the "redneck workj shop" almumn, you can see my shots of my system and the modified 5 gallon separtor I used before I got the bigger system. In a couple of months I'll be moving and then I'll have to figure a way to filter since I won't be able to vent to the outside any more.
Good luck with your system. If I can help in any way, just shoot me an e-mail or post here. Dust collection is a very important issue and one that should not be taken lightly.