HF Portable DC Filtration

[ssmith1627]

Hey guys. Toying with the idea of mounting a small unit like this up above my table saw:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=31810

I like the idea of attaching that to the shark guard but also having a way to use it for the fence on the router table that's built into my table saw as well. A third possibility is a dust hood that would hang down some distance above the saw table for when the shark guard couldn't be used -- like with a crosscut sled.

Is there a better bag to replace the one that comes with it ? I'm sure they don't filter down to 1 micron or anything close. Just looking at options and trying to think this out.

Thanks,
Steve

[JR]

Steve,

Would this be in addition to some other dust collection scheme in your shop? Or is it intended to be the primary DC?

JR

[windmill]

You know, I like the idea. I have the HF 2HP unit (with the 1 micron Wynn filter conversion kit) and duct work to collect the sawdust and chips from the planer, jointer etc., but the table saw always blows a lot of fine dust. An auxilliary overhead dust collector would be great.

Assuming you have a primary DC system....what if I you routed the exhaust of the auxilliary collector into the duct work for the main DC...to avoid having to empty two machines, and there would not be a need for a better bag.

Of course, this might be a really stupid idea that just looks good on paper.

[LarryG]

I have the impression this would be an auxiliary system; but perhaps not.

If it is ... for the controlled environment, so to speak, of the dust ports on a Shark Guard and a router fence, I'm thinking a shop vac would be just as effective. You probably already own a vac, so you could fit it with a HEPA filter and be in business for a lot less money than this little HF unit (plus bag upgrade) will set you back.

OTOH, if you want a hood suspended above a tool, this won't work -- but I'd also question whether the HF unit would move enough air for it to work well in that scenario, either.

[ssmith1627]

I have the HF 2HP DC as well. And that's connected from the bottom side of the Delta saw via S&D pipe. Also S&D to my bandsaw, planer and jointer.

Interesting idea to simply run the ducting from this small DC into the ductwork I already have for the bigger unit. Running both machines at once. That's worth spending a little time thinking about.

As for using a shop vac -- yes, I have two already so that's an easy route to go. How do the better filters for the shop vacs compare ? Will they filter enough of the fine dust that I won't be breathing it right back in or spreading it all around the shop ?

Larry -- you really don't think that smaller HF unit would move enough air for a dust hood if it was just 2-3 feet away ? If I mount something like that above my saw it would have to be below where the garage door tracks are so that it didn't interfere with the garage door opening / closing. But as you said, it's certainly more expensive than to go the shop vac route.

Thanks for hashing this out with me guys. Like impromptu problem solving meetings. Very helpful !

Steve

[maxparot]

I had that portable from HF before I switched to their 2hp w/ the Wynn conversion. Grizzly has a felt bag that will do the trick for better filtering. As for using it for the Sharkguard I think a good shopvac with the right filter would provide better results since it can generate a higher negative pressure for the port size.

[JR]

I'm running the HF 2HP DC with Winn filter. It is currently pulling through two 4" ports on the back and bottom of the TS, and one 2-1/2" port on Shark Guard. Once I got the Winn filter cleaned it all works like a champ. So I don't think you'd need the 1HP unit at all if you plumb it properly.

I also think the dust hood thing won't work at all.

I have an air cleaner in my shop and that makes a big difference. I think I'm less worried about emissions from the odd dado cut, so I don't worry about trying solutions like the hood idea.

I move the 2-1/2" hose from SG to router fence as needed, but it could be set up with blast gates and a wye.

JR

[ssmith1627]

JR, I'm using the HF DC with the bags from Grizzly right now. Do you feel like you get a lot more airflow with the Wynn filter ?

Curious as to the results you've seen with that. Want to get as much out of this unit as I can.

Many thanks.

Steve

[JR]

I'm not positive, but I do believe the pleated filter should improve overall flow vs. bags. The difference is in the amount of surface over which the blower is pushing air. There is an awful lot of pleats on that Winn filter, creating a huge filtering surface.

JR