HF blower for cyclone?

[JohninGA]

I was considering building the Bill Pentz cyclone, including the 5 HP Leeson motor ($240.00 + $20.00 shipping), the Sheldon's Engineering impeller wheel ($130.00 + $35.00 shipping), building my own blower housing from Bill's plans and a cyclone from Bill's plans. But if I can buy a HF dust collector for $160.00 + $9.00 shipping and use the motor/blower assembly on top of my home built cyclone, then I have:

1. Reduced my cost from $425.00 to $169.00 (actually more when you add in whatever it would have cost me in materials to build the blower housing), saving $256.00. I realize I could get a 5HP motor from HF (on sale now for $110.00, reg. $120.00) and save some on the build-up from scratch.

2. The main advantage is, I would have a factory made metal blower housing included in the lower price.

I intend to use 6' S&D pipe to all tools. I know the HF 4" inlet can be removed and replaced with a home-built 6", so that is not a problem. I realize a larger inlet will increase the load on the motor, but I intend to check the amperage draw after all is assembled and hooked up to the duct system.

The questions:

1. What size is the blower housing outlet on the HF blower? Not the square to round plastic adapter, which I understand is for 5" flex hose, but the square portion of the metal housing that the plastic adapter bolts to?

2. What is the diameter of the impeller wheel?

3. What is the impeller wheel made of? I am guessing aluminum.

If I knew these dimensions I would have a better idea how this would compare in final CFM to a totally home-built blower.

Thanks in advance for any responses.
John

[dedaddy]

I don't think the HF dust collector has the HP or wheel diameter to pull enough air to get the required 3500-4500 fpm in 6" duct to a cyclone. You need at least 14" wheel and a motor that draws 15-17 amps at 208v.

I think the HF wheel is about 12". The motor is on the light size since it is meant for 4" ducts. I have a Bridgewood DC that is similar to the HF. It only has a 12" wheel in a very tight scroll. It has a 5" inlet that, if left open with no filters on the outlet, will over load the motor at 12 amps.

For a ready built unit see: http://www.pennstateind.com/Merchant...Code=DC14MB3HP

I have all the parts to build an airfoil blower using the sheldon airfoil wheel and a 2hp motor per Pentz's site. I will be mounting it on the clearvue cyclone. Now if I can just find the time!

[Stytooner]

I don't have one, but I would say that the HF is probably not going to be big enough to run the cylone anywhere near peak performance. Now if you want to save a little money and you are wanting to build the rest of it anyway, make your own. I have been running a 4 vane 19" home made impellar with a 1 HP motor for over two years with absolutely no trouble at all. I plan on using this same impeller when I do build a cyclone. A few of the other guys on this forum have built similar fans with more blades. Perhaps they will chime in too. Just thought you might like to know that you can do it yourself much cheaper than the outlay you are talking about. I do plan on adding 4 more vanes to mine and enlarging the exhaust outlet some.
Here is a link.
http://www.leestyron.com/dustcollector.php

[sscherin]

The HF DC blower outlet is 6"x 4.5"

[JohninGA]

quote:Originally posted by sscherin

The HF DC blower outlet is 6"x 4.5"

Thanks, that's a big help.
John

[Westex93]

I can't help on your question, but I see you're from WR, GA. Cool! I moved from there about a year and a half ago after living there over 10 years. Still a lot of folks there that are dear to our hearts.

Still have a house there I need to sell, too...

Wes

[mehranh]

Ok...this is from my actual trials to do what you're planning to do
The HF impeler is actually about 9"+. I had bought a PennState 12" impeller (for their 2hp DC), machined a motor pully, and attached to the HF DC motor. It blew my 30 amp fuse, and the motor spun very briefly. That confirmed what everyone else says, that althoght the motor is marked 2hp, it indeed is not. [B)]
The blower itself does not have enough air movement for a "real cyclone" at least to Bill Pentz standards. My measurments were too subjective, but didn't "feel" like what I would expect.
What I had used, actually before I bought the HF DC, is the PennState Portable (DC3-1M). I had used it for the Wood Magazine Cyclone and later on to Bill Pentz Cyclone. Actually it works well. And amuzingly enough if you attach the 12" impeller to it, works REALLY well with Bill Pentz Cyclone.
In my experience, and after spending enough money on material to buy an Oneida Cyclone [B)][:I][V], I realized the Cyclone wasn't for my shop. I use one machine at a time, and I found that the HF DC on a mobile base work better for me.

Sorry, for being long winded: but the moral of story in my opinion: Unless you feel like "experimenting", invest the money and buy a cyclone. It probably would work better, look prettier, leaves you more time for woodworking, and believe it or not may not cost terribly less.
But that's just my opinion.
P.S. I have a 1.5 hp motor, a 12" impeller, and a CFM gauge for sale if you want!!!

[JohninGA]

quote:Originally posted by Westex93

I can't help on your question, but I see you're from WR, GA. Cool! I moved from there about a year and a half ago after living there over 10 years. Still a lot of folks there that are dear to our hearts.

Still have a house there I need to sell, too...

Wes

This is interesting... email me with info on your house, I am in the market.

[meika123]

I too, built my own (from Lee's plans, BTW). At present, I am running a four-bladed 19" impeller with a 1.0 hp motor, spinning @ 1725 rpm. I have my cyclone built. I will be using eight blades of aluminum angle and Lexan blades. Each blade is individually balanced. I'm gonna use at least a 2.0 hp motor @ 1725 rpm.

Needless to say, this thing works so well, I have been using it for about 2 years with complete satisfaction. It is a real "BEAST". I am using it in a 20 x 20 foot shop with, at present, 4" S&D piping.

HTH

Dave in NC