DC Drop Box Question

[Stan Smith]

I have a jet 1100 dc. In a Canadian woodworking mag, I came across an article on a drop box to attach to a dc. There was a plan for it and I made it. I hooked it up and it is mounted to the base of my dc. However, it didn't work all that well (it cut down on the sucking power), so I disconnected it. Wherever I hear that whap noise of something hitting the impeller, I cringe and think of the drop box. Is anyone using a drop box with success? If so, would you mind sharing how you have it setup? Thanks.

Stan

[Bill Pentz]

Stan,

Drop boxes and most "cyclone" lids for trash cans provide separation by a momentary change of the airflow into a large enough chamber that the air movement is no longer ample to keep the dust entrained (suspended). With a 400 CFM system like most hobbyist systems that only use 4" ducting, these devices work well. In fact, I used one of the Woodstock (Grizzly) trashcan separators myself for years.

Unfortunately, the instant I upgraded my hoses to 6" to have enough size to move 800 CFM recommended to capture the fine dust at my larger tools, my trashcan went empty and stopped working. There was so much increase in airflow that it scoured the can empty of all but the largest chips. Just for fun I did the calculations to figure out what sized trashcan I needed with that increased airflow. A 5'1" diameter can about 7' tall works nicely.

You can build a 55 gallon drum with cyclonic action that will work up to about 1/3 full, but after lots of years of research, the best design continues to be using a cyclone. You are welcome to build your own from my design (http://cnets.net/~eclectic/woodworking/cyclone/) I spent a couple of years refining it. If chasing down parts and cutting out the metal does not appeal, take a look at The DustEliminator kit cyclone (http://www.dusteliminator.com) being offered by fellow creek member Terry Hatfield.

bill pentz

http://cnets.net/%7Eeclectic/woodworking/Cyclone/TerryHatfield/TerrysCyclone.jpg

[Stan Smith]

Thanks, Bill. I don't have a duct system at this time. I'm not sure if I want or need one. Prior to my 1100, I had a little unit that I had a garbage can attached to. My drop box is a lot smaller. I did get some things in it though. I just had the feeling that air was leaking our around the door. Maybe I should just work on a better and tighter seal for the box?

[Bill Pentz]

Stan,

What I did before going with ducting was replace my 4" flex hose with a long piece of 6" that I hooked directly to the Jet DC-1100 inlet instead of that two-way adapter. Once I did that my airflow and dust collection more than doubled. I bought and made a few adapters to go from that 6" to my 4" and some of my European tools with weird sized connectors.

Regardless, once I shifted from the 4" to 6" the trash can separator did not work again.

Before then, I used some heavy foam sick on insulation material on the bottom of my plastic separator top. For the hose adapters I cut a hose connector in half and caulked the halves in place with hot melt glue to make my 4" adapters. That worked well for me, as shown here:

http://cnets.net/~eclectic/woodworking/cyclone/SeparatorTop.gif http://cnets.net/~eclectic/woodworking/cyclone/SeparatorBot.gif

Hope this helps.

bill

[Stan Smith]

I'll give that stick on insulation a try and also caulk around the fittings on the box. I don't think that I got the right kind of stick-on insulation to put around the door on the box so the seal may not be very good. If I get it to work okay, I'll post a pic. thanks again