Setting Up a Dust-Collection System
T
O SET UP A DUST-COLLECTIONsystem using a cyclone separator
and tube filters, the first step is to determine the amount of air
required by each machine to take care of the wood dust generated. In
a small, typical woodshop, it is most likely that you will be running
only one machine at a time. Therefore, you should determine the size
of your dust-collection system according to the air requirements of
your largest machine. This is usually the planer, which can require up
to a 900-cubic-feet-per-minute (CFM) blower capacity. In this case, a
2-hp/1,000 CFM system would probably be best. For a 2-hp unit,
with air usage between 800 and 1,200 CFM, the pipe should be
sized to maintain a conveying velocity between 3,500 to 4,500 feet
per minute.
The dust/air mixture travels through the system in the following
manner: It is first collected at the machine and then conveyed to the
cyclone where all but the finest particles are separated from the air.
The fine dust/air mix then moves through the fan and on to the
filter bags.
The heart of the dust system will run approximately $200 for a
cyclone, $350 for a 2-hp dust collector (includes motor and blower),
and about $150 for a set of tube filters. Finally, there’s the cost of the
duct work, collection hoods, and plywood that is required to put the
new, improved system together.
The complete system does not have to be set up all in one place.
The cyclone and fan could be put outside the shop and the bag filters
inside. This would move the noise of the system outside yet return
heated or cooled air to the shop. However, adding the cyclone and
extra filters will reduce the noise level of the system.
SHOP SETUP