Jason Brown
01-09-2008, 1:27 PM
Hi all-
I just received my HF DC system and set it up last night. Some caveats to this review: This is my first dust collection system, and haven't actually turned the system on yet. However, I wanted to give my first impressions and experiences in setting it up. I will update this post when I get power hooked up to the system (something this weekend, hopefully), and also when I get new filter bags or filter canister. I will try and post pictures as well.
The box arrived in good condition, and was packed well (mainly styrofoam packaging). I sometimes worry about the packaging when ordering from Grizzly or HF, as I have read many horror stories here on SMC. I unloaded the pieces and hauled them downstairs to my basement workshop (that motor is darn heavy!). Checking all of the major pieces (base plate, blower, parts bag, casters, etc.) everything seemed to be there. I opened the instructions and began assembly.
Now, I understand that these machines are built in China and/or Taiwan, and therefore don't necessarily expect a well-written, detailed instruction manual. However, if you order one of these DC systems, take the assembly instructions as a LOOSE guide only as to how to put the system together. The very first step in assembling the system is to bolt the casters on to the base plate. The instructions say to do this with the included M6-1.0x10 hex screws, M6 washers, and M6 nuts. However, the only thing that fit the M6-1.0X10 bill were not, in fact, hex screws, but phillips head screws. Once I figured this out after about 10 minutes of looking through every nook and cranny of the boxes to see if I missed another parts bag, I actually started to assemble the thing.
From there, the assembly went relatively quickly, and the next snag came up when the instructions said to bolt the supports to the base plate with M10-1.5X16 hex screws, washers and nuts. However, there were about 20 of these size hex screws and exactly 4 nuts. There were also 4 M10-1.5X20 hex screws, so I was skeptical that they didn't just forget the additional 20 nuts. I discovered that these screws hold pretty securely by just screwing them directly into the base plate. However, the base plate isn't the strongest of materials (powder-coated aluminum?), so I may contemplate adding nuts on the underside at some point. The M10 nuts were indeed for the longer hex screws, which mount the motor to the motor bracket. However, the instructions don't actually tell you that that's what they're for (they don't mention them at all, except in the parts list).
The instructions also never mention adding the third support bracket to the base plate, so when it came time to add the collar that the dust bags attach to, it wasn't an easy task until I again realized that there was an additional support still sitting in the box.
Poor instructions aside, however, the fit and finish of the DC are satisfactory, and there were actually enough parts of some correct type or another in the parts bag to assemble the thing in an apparently correct manner. However, it's difficult to claim that it's truly correct, as the instructions don't match what you get in the box. I understand you get what you pay for, and this is a cheap 1 to 2HP system. I will post more info when I plug it in and start cutting!!
Cheers,
Jason
I just received my HF DC system and set it up last night. Some caveats to this review: This is my first dust collection system, and haven't actually turned the system on yet. However, I wanted to give my first impressions and experiences in setting it up. I will update this post when I get power hooked up to the system (something this weekend, hopefully), and also when I get new filter bags or filter canister. I will try and post pictures as well.
The box arrived in good condition, and was packed well (mainly styrofoam packaging). I sometimes worry about the packaging when ordering from Grizzly or HF, as I have read many horror stories here on SMC. I unloaded the pieces and hauled them downstairs to my basement workshop (that motor is darn heavy!). Checking all of the major pieces (base plate, blower, parts bag, casters, etc.) everything seemed to be there. I opened the instructions and began assembly.
Now, I understand that these machines are built in China and/or Taiwan, and therefore don't necessarily expect a well-written, detailed instruction manual. However, if you order one of these DC systems, take the assembly instructions as a LOOSE guide only as to how to put the system together. The very first step in assembling the system is to bolt the casters on to the base plate. The instructions say to do this with the included M6-1.0x10 hex screws, M6 washers, and M6 nuts. However, the only thing that fit the M6-1.0X10 bill were not, in fact, hex screws, but phillips head screws. Once I figured this out after about 10 minutes of looking through every nook and cranny of the boxes to see if I missed another parts bag, I actually started to assemble the thing.
From there, the assembly went relatively quickly, and the next snag came up when the instructions said to bolt the supports to the base plate with M10-1.5X16 hex screws, washers and nuts. However, there were about 20 of these size hex screws and exactly 4 nuts. There were also 4 M10-1.5X20 hex screws, so I was skeptical that they didn't just forget the additional 20 nuts. I discovered that these screws hold pretty securely by just screwing them directly into the base plate. However, the base plate isn't the strongest of materials (powder-coated aluminum?), so I may contemplate adding nuts on the underside at some point. The M10 nuts were indeed for the longer hex screws, which mount the motor to the motor bracket. However, the instructions don't actually tell you that that's what they're for (they don't mention them at all, except in the parts list).
The instructions also never mention adding the third support bracket to the base plate, so when it came time to add the collar that the dust bags attach to, it wasn't an easy task until I again realized that there was an additional support still sitting in the box.
Poor instructions aside, however, the fit and finish of the DC are satisfactory, and there were actually enough parts of some correct type or another in the parts bag to assemble the thing in an apparently correct manner. However, it's difficult to claim that it's truly correct, as the instructions don't match what you get in the box. I understand you get what you pay for, and this is a cheap 1 to 2HP system. I will post more info when I plug it in and start cutting!!
Cheers,
Jason