Originally Posted by
Mark Bolton
We have an older 5HP cyclone (all steel) as well as one thats the newer 5HP with the plastic and there is no comparison. The 5HP w/plastic is fine til you hit the plastic. All steel cone, and top side, but the elbow to the filter is plastic (and suppose to be supported with a cable/turnbuckle above). The filter is held with these PITA J bolts and plastic wheel nuts. The gaskets on the filter are roached (same strip style but thats what came with the all steel version). Our all steel has these nice spring catch type deals that clip the filter to the cyclone and the catch cup to the bottom in seconds. Getting the filter off with the plastic j-bolts sucks.
Beyond that zero complaints. They both move plenty of air. Greasable motors, top quality. I was bummed when we got the plastic version and dont like it to this day. Weve re-sealed the cone with elastomeric because the foam tape fails.
Its the way of the world. All you have to do is watch sharktank. Over delivering on quality as opposed to hard focus on margins is a thing of the past. Eventually everyone caves. Sadly the consumer has been reprogrammed that this is the norm so when the last of you are weeded out (which they are waiting for) it will just be an overall consumer based acceptance of getting less than what you thought and the need to tinker, repair, replace, etc..