Jerry Lawrence
07-24-2012, 11:28 PM
Ok, just one more dust collection question then I won't ask any more, I promise! (at least not until the next one :) )
I have a small, old, reliant dust collector that I use as my "roll around the shop and hook to a machine when I need it" d/c. It is 1 h.p. with one upper and one lower bag. I had been noticing that fine dust was escaping around the opening of the bags, as they were not forming a tight seal, and even bunching and gapping where the belt pulled tight. So, trying to fix the problem, I adhered a ring of foam weather-stripping type material around the body of the d/c where the bag attaches, squeezed the bag up over (or down over, for the top bag), tightened the belts, compressing the foam a bit, and figured I'd be good to go!
Now for the interesting part... When I hooked the hose up and turned the d/c on, I noticed that the bags were not inflating fully, I was still able to push the top bag right down almost flat with my hand. The suction was great, more powerful than ever, and there was no dust escaping around the edges anymore so it seems like the issue was fixed, but I can't help but wonder what's up with the bags. Maybe air escaping through the weatherstripping foam, but not allowing the dust through? I'm not really that concerned, since like I said, the suction is great, but thought I'd hit you guys up for your thoughts on the situation. Should I be addressing this 'problem', or just leave it as it is?
Thanks!
I have a small, old, reliant dust collector that I use as my "roll around the shop and hook to a machine when I need it" d/c. It is 1 h.p. with one upper and one lower bag. I had been noticing that fine dust was escaping around the opening of the bags, as they were not forming a tight seal, and even bunching and gapping where the belt pulled tight. So, trying to fix the problem, I adhered a ring of foam weather-stripping type material around the body of the d/c where the bag attaches, squeezed the bag up over (or down over, for the top bag), tightened the belts, compressing the foam a bit, and figured I'd be good to go!
Now for the interesting part... When I hooked the hose up and turned the d/c on, I noticed that the bags were not inflating fully, I was still able to push the top bag right down almost flat with my hand. The suction was great, more powerful than ever, and there was no dust escaping around the edges anymore so it seems like the issue was fixed, but I can't help but wonder what's up with the bags. Maybe air escaping through the weatherstripping foam, but not allowing the dust through? I'm not really that concerned, since like I said, the suction is great, but thought I'd hit you guys up for your thoughts on the situation. Should I be addressing this 'problem', or just leave it as it is?
Thanks!