I posted the ancient dust collector post recently. I'm getting new nordfab pipe and hope that helps TREMENDOUSLY. On to the next issue...opening "the hatch". Currently I put a trash an under it and have about a 3' distance from top of can to bottom of hatch. When I open it and clean out the dust it is a dust storm! I mean I am covered in dust. I was thinking to take a rubber sheet with the elasticity of a rubber band and glue it into a cylinder and zip tie it to "the hatch". I know there are companies that make these sleeves but I thought I could wrap the rubber sleeve around a the hatch and a container of sorts. Any input would help. Mucho gracias

Attached is a shot of a dust collection system that worked well. Note the fan is after the cyclone - this was an attempt to keep the shavings large and fluffy for the horse people that would haul the shavings away for us. This allowed the shavings to drop without going thru the fan, and it cost us some CFM since fan first delivers more direct CFM to the input side.

The cyclone had a rotary air lock under it to keep pressure up in the system so the shavings could drop, and then the air filtered thru the bags.

We first tried a tubular sleeve, but the shavings could bridge and clog it up, so we made a curtain that lapped around just inside the dumpster and fastened up to the deck above tightly. It did not have to be airtight - and should not be - since you want the chips to be able to displace the air.

A few slight problems: It was a pain to check the level, and we had to take a stick one or two times a day to knock down the center, or the pyramid would run up towards the air lock.

Also, when we removed the dumpster, there was lot of dust stirred up in the process. We had two of these dumpsters, with a garage for the extra one to the right.

We never did get horse people to haul the shavings since the Mahogany turned the show horses hooves pink. We paid to have it all landfilled, a real shame.

View higher quality, full size image (2592 X 1944)

Correction - This system has the fan first. A previous system had the capacity for us to have the fan after the cyclone. Here, we needed all the capacity we could get, so the fan was mounted first in the system. This did help break up shavings and made for a dustier load.

I appreciate your input and taking the time David. I must confess my lack or ignorance of machine knowledge (actually both). What you speak might as well be another language.
I'm thinking low tech now... As in a sock-like tubes (canvas?) tied to collector exit holes and a zipper which empties into trash cans. Same concept as a filter bag.
I can't justify the perfect solution it seems

Justify the expense of the perfect solution should have said. Can't believe Nordfab ducting in my little shop will cost over $4000 w/o installation.

First, the world's most expensive dust collection pipe will not have much effect, if any, on the efficiency of your system unless every other component is correctly place, ducted and utilized. You will have a much more expensive system, but that does not mean it will operate better.

Secondly, only someone that knows dust collection should monkey around with this stuff unless you just enjoy fiddling. If you call Oneida or any of the other dust collection people, they can look at what you have and advise you how best to make use of it for maximum efficiency.

Third, dust collection is not sexy or cool, it is mundane and unexciting. But like a good foundation or roof, it will work in the background almost forever with very little attention, and most importantly, allow you to make money and preserve your health.

Thanks David. I don't profess to know anything about dust collectors. My apprehension about calling someone out to look at it is that they'll most likely want to sell me a new system. As a matter of fact that is what happened last Friday. For only $4800 we have a used one they said. The stiles rep that quoted me the Nordfab also stopped by Friday with his Nordfab quote mentioning how another shop he just sold the stuff to as to how clean their floors are now and how thankful the employees are.

Check out Clearvue Cyclones. I bought their 'max' back in 2010 I believe. I also got all my 6" ducting locally and bought my 45's and 90's from PennState I believe.

Made a huge difference! All the savings/dust are in a (for us) big car wash detergent bucket. But bigger then a regular trash can but a regular trash can works well. When the cyclone is not used the dust hangs in the air. For days. But if we use it normally it will move all the air in the shop in 3 minutes. Well worth the investment!

Mine runs on 3 phase and operates in a 2000 sqft shop. I have over 200' of ducting and it pulls a tremendous amount of air at the end of the longest runs. All in, I think I spent around $3500.

Nordfab is nice but get a proper seamless 6" metal duct and the proper fittings from PennState and your off to the races.

Make a simple dust bag that goes from your fan exhaust to trash can— it doesn't have to be fancy, it just has to attach reasonably tightly. This design has worked for me. It can be used singly or ganged.

I'm glad that companies that sell fabric filter will sew bags, my first ones were of denim and I did them myself. Pain in the neck!

Try American Fabric Filter, they have done good work for me and use specialized dust collector fabric that beats anything you'll find at a fabric store.

Depending on what you have, make an opening at the top or a fabric "pipe" out the side. At the bottom, loop the fabric (or better yet, use collector bag fabric, with different qualities) to make a loop for a drawstring and a skirt that hangs down into your trash can.

Hose clamp the bag onto the pipe at the top. Drawstring through the fabric loop to tie tight around the trash can (admittedly, a bit of a pain). I use trash bags inside the can to simplify bagging.

Try similar arrangement run horizontally on a ceiling mounted blower to filter atmospheric fines. If you have enough fabric, it works as well as a furnace filter type, is very quiet, and used blowers can be pretty cheap. I empty mine every five years like clockwork and never have to replace a filter.

http://www.americanfabricfilter.com/