Shop Pics with cyclone separator

[Steve D]

Well,

I finally have the shop back together, cleaned up and ready for action. I took advantage of the cyclone project to inspire me to improve the layout and functionality. It has been a major improvement. For those that remember the cyclone separator discussion, I took the plunge and found it very worthwhile. Dust collection as a whole is greatly improved. The separator allowed me to run 6" duct throughout the shop, which replaced the 4" PVC and Corrugated mixture I had before. The cyclone replaced my trash can separator. I was able to use my existing blower from my 2Hp Grizzly.



I also ran duct down into the cabinet below my CMS and built the collection point there. I also added a 1.5" long sweep elbow to the discharge. This results in a major improvement of dust collected at the saw:



The TS was moved over against the wall (I can still cut 50" to the right of the blade) and the jointer tucked below the left wing. The workbench is built to serve double duty as an outfeed table.



I mounted the portable planer on a platform that runs on heavy duty drawer slides. It pulls out for use and slides back for storage:

 

[cskipper]

That looks really great. I know you're glad to have it all back together. Where's the lathe going to be located?

 

[Steve D]

It depends what I go with. I've got a spot to the left of the CMS if I go with a Midi. I also have a guy that I'm talking to locally about his used full size Delta. If I go that route it will end up near the bandsaw.

 

[Monty]

Nice shop! I really like your solution for the planer -- genious!!!

 

[DaveO]

Nice set up. Very ingenious solutions to common problems. If you don't mind I am gonna steal your CMS dust collection idea, it will work perfect with my set up. Thanks for showing the clean shop pics, now go and mess it up again.

Dave

 

[SteveColes]

All of the above :icon_thumplus I'm inspired :eusa_danc

 

[Steve D]

Thanks for the positive comments. As far as the shop being clean, I'm sure that won't last. McRabbet got to see the "before" and Cathy was here for the "during". I milled a bunch of cherry today for the kitchen drawers and will be busy doing dovetails tomorrow. It's nice to be back to cutting wood instead of cutting myself on sheet metal.


The planer idea was one of those thoughts that literally woke me up at about 4:00 in the morning. It's so straight forward that it's one of those "duh" ideas that you can't believe you didn't think of earlier. The CMS idea was a natural when I cleaned up the big pile of dust sitting behind the saw. I'd tried to fashion things from above before but with this, gravity is on your side. There is enough of a curtain of air flowing that it gets just about everything - a far cry from what I had before.

I also added one of those auto sensing switches from Sears to the shop vac and have that hooked up to my dust hose for the sanders and plate joiter. It seems trivial but I love having it simply turn the vac on and off when I'm running the tool.

 

[McRabbet]

Great job, Steve! It is a real improvement over your old layout and looks significantly more efficient -- one question, however. Looks like the Grizzly DC fan output just goes into a 3 foot +/- section of flexible duct with an open end. Are you going to add a filter? I really like the way you've set up your planer on the extension slides. With it's weight, I assume that you used 100 pound capacity ones!!

Enjoy working on your project over the Christmas holiday -- with lots less dust, too!

 

[Steve D]

Good eyes Rob. Yes, I will be adding a filter. I'm looking at several different options and will be ordering next week. The cyclone is so efficient that nothing visible comes out of the hose, even when I sweep a pile of MDF sawdust into the floor sweep. I have less residual dust now with nothing on the outlet than I had with my .5 micron bags.

They are 100 pound slides but I also added simple bracing to provide additional support and lock the planer "fulll extended". Pop the braces out and in slides back for storage.

 

[D L Ames]

Wow, great job Steve.:icon_thum I will ditto all the comments above. I really like that idea you used for your planer........brilliant! D L

 

[cpowell]

The collection at the CMS is a great idea. I'm gonna look at that as soon as I get some coffee in me!


I've been doing the "single DC hose", move to different machines for 2 years now. Your shop pictures almost motivate me enough to make permanent drops.

 

[woodguy1975]

Looking good Steve. :icon_thum It will be a good place to work on your chair.

 

[Monty]

Wait a sec... I just noticed in your first picture: where's your filter cartridge? (sorry it took me so long - I was distracted by your planer platform and your CMS DC idea) Are you venting to the outside? Or are you just gonna let the fine dust settle on your compressor?!?!? ;-) I'm interested in knowing how you complete this.

 

[Steve D]

I'm just getting it on order but this will be mounted on the end of the discharge:

 

[sapwood]

Another positive ditto head here :!:

Great layout, but I'm more jealous than inspired :mrgreen:

Noticed the Powermatic BS that I also have--curious about how effective the dust collection is on that unit. Mine hasn't been too effective, though it is a lowly 3/4 hp, 750 cfm wimp :cry:

Sapwood

 

[Steve D]

Dust collection on mine is great except when re-sawing. I think that is typical of any band saw because dust falls off before it gets below the table. Some people add another pickup point there but it hasn't been enough of a nuisance for me to bother. The blower it a really nice feature for keeping the line visible when cutting and I love the Carter detensioner. Have you put a lift kit in yours?

 

[sapwood]

Yep, I put on two :roll: First riser block was extremely uneven so they sent a Jet kit and some gold paint. It was much better but not perfect. One day when I have someone around to help I'll give it a whirl again. Know what to do (shim and shim till ya get it perfect), just keep putting it off as usual

Still think it's a great bandsaw and I, too, enjoy the features.

Sapwood

 

[Steve D]

Complete with filter installed, and yes, it sucks.

 

[Monty]

YOU SUCK.

 

[D L Ames]

YOU SUCK.

Yeah........what he said!

Steve, is your waste bucket at the bottom closed off in anyway or is it just sitting under the open end of the filter?

D L