HF dust collector mods(what have you done??)

[gettools]

I have hf 2hp dust collector, thru the wise opinions on this sight I have decided to keep it and update it. I started with the Wynns poly spun filter & hoses.
What other mods have you done to make this unit better ??
Did they work like you wanted them to ??
Where did you get the parts ??

[LCHIEN]

neutral vane http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...795#post316795
Grizz canister filter ( 1 micron) http://www.grizzlytools.com/products...48-G0562/H5783 and
plastic catch bag from Pennstate
30A Remote control relay (home-brewed) + appliance remote control switch http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...+control+relay
(maybe this doesn't really count as a modification but it has made life better - put in a dedicated circuit to run it on, now its permanently plugged in with the remote control)

all working as hoped for.

[gettools]

Loring,

Where did you get a neutral vane ?? and what diff did it make ??

[BobSch]

Although I haven't done it yet, a Wynn cartridge filter http://www.wynnenv.com/cartridge_filters.htm and probably a Thien Cyclone Separator http://www.cgallery.com/jpthien/cy.htm in place of a neutral vane.

[sweensdv]

The only change I made to mine was to upgrade the OEM bags. Other than that I haven't done a thing and it just keeps eating sawdust.

[LarryG]

1. Wynn spun-bond filter, with plastic bag on the bottom
2. Hard piping to replace as much hose as possible
3. Remote control unit, which as Loring says is a wonderful convenience
4. My "stovepipe" mod between impeller unit and inlet ring, visible here

I did most of these mods all at once, so I cannot quantify how much each one helped individually, but I can tell you that the overall performance of the humble HF unit shot up so dramatically it was like having an all-new and more powerful DC.

The piping system will soon get completely reworked. I'm going to switch a few of my stationary tools to new positions, and I have bought metal blast gates to replace the troublesome plastic cheapos pictured in the above thread. In that thread, I wrote that "The plastic gates are working fine." BRRRRRTT! Wrong. Experience has proven these to not be worth even the $2 sale price I paid for these miserable clunkers. Unlike better quality metal gates, dust collects and compacts within the recesses of the plastic gates' outer housings, and prevents them closing all the way (and with the passage of time, the problem gets ever worse). Whatever you do, avoid the garden-variety plastic gates entirely.

I've also been planning to do either Loring's neutral vane or Phil Thien's baffle, but as of yet have not been able to locate the proverbial Round Tuit. (Similar to the problem with that drawing you've been waiting on ...)

[JR]

... but as of yet have not been able to locate the proverbial Rount Tuit. (Similar to the problem with that drawing you've been waiting on ...)

LOL. It took me a minute, but I got there. My entire shop is waiting for that.

Oh yeah. Miy mods: remote control, Wynn filter and a spine of 4" pipe leading to flex where necessary.

JR

[gettools]

Larry,
Does that drawing really exist ?? ( hee hee )

[LarryG]

Does that drawing really exist ?? ( hee hee )

The drawing, Yes. The notes and dimensions necessary to make it meaningful to anyone except me ... No.

I'm hosting a bike ride this weekend, and my parents will still be in town for another week afterwards. After that, my schedule clears up considerably. In the interim, your continued patience will be appreciated.

(We now return you to your regularly-scheduled HF 2HP DC thread ...)

[LCHIEN]

Loring,

Where did you get a neutral vane ?? and what diff did it make ??

The Neutral vane was described by Bill Pentz (the dust collection super-guru) as a must-have for a DC unit. he gave the general principle that it must direct incoming air past the up-going column of air to the top filter bag to enhance the cyclonic action of the unit. and gave a little sketch.

I worked out the dimensions for a NV for the HF unit and cut it out of sheet metal (e.g. canabalized a piece of duct work from Lowes). I wrote an article on how to make and install the vane.

If you search for Neutral vane here there's some discussions. The pictures keep disappearing and I will post them again tonight. I described the numeric measurements for the piece of metal cut for this, someone made a full size PDF drawing (on 11x17 paper) using Autocad using my dimensions and sent it to me.

I have a PDF template amd measurements on how to do this, I have given them out in the past on request. Just PM me with your e-mail address.

I actually never operated the DC without the vane, making it and installing it when i got the unit on Bil Pentz's advice.

Pictures:
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...795#post316795

[gettools]

Larry ,
No problem, just pulling your chain.

[dbhost]

Although I haven't done it yet, a Wynn cartridge filter http://www.wynnenv.com/cartridge_filters.htm and probably a Thien Cyclone Separator http://www.cgallery.com/jpthien/cy.htm in place of a neutral vane.

Is your Thien separator the trash can cyclone separator you linked, or the one that goes in the DC unit itself. I have seen a LOT of these on the various forums with the Thien baffle in the DC itself. They are supposed to keep the chunks out of the filter bag / cartridge...

[LinuxRandal]

I've also been planning to do either Loring's neutral vane or Phil Thien's baffle, but as of yet have not been able to locate the proverbial Round Tuit. (Similar to the problem with that drawing you've been waiting on ...)

Here you go:

http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7

[BobSch]

Is your Thien separator the trash can cyclone separator you linked, or the one that goes in the DC unit itself. I have seen a LOT of these on the various forums with the Thien baffle in the DC itself. They are supposed to keep the chunks out of the filter bag / cartridge...

I think it can be used either way, as a separate trashcan unit or built right in the DC.

[ksum]

... I'm going to switch a few of my stationary tools to new positions, and I have bought metal blast gates to replace the troublesome plastic cheapos pictured in the above thread. In that thread, I wrote that "The plastic gates are working fine." BRRRRRTT! Wrong.

Larry, I am curious. I have had the plastic gates for some time now, with a good bit of use, and have no problems. Then again, I did cut the bottoms off and make sure I mounted them with the bottom down. The cut was made far enough from the bottom to make them open on the bottom. This way the gate pushes any accumulated dust out the bottom just like the metal ones. As of last night, I see no dust accumulated in the gates. You may want to give this a try before purchasing the metal gates.