My unofficial...official review....
I’ve had the Gorilla operating in my shop for almost two weeks now and all I can say is this unit really sucks…..and that is a Very good thing. I put together a webpage with a few images of my install and comments on the unit. If you woule like to see it, it’s http://www.picframer.ca/cyclone.htm
The Gorilla is located in a DC room I built, has a 7” main run of about 38 feet, with 6” branches reduced at the tools where necessary. I have three tools that create a lot of fine dust, miter saws (I do picture framing as a business so a lot of dust is generated here), a performax surface sander (almost all of my work is exotics or figured wood) and my son turns a lot at the wood lathe.
The unit easily captures any dust we have created with two gates open. I have now generated 6 bins of shavings and dust so I decided to blow the filter out to see what the air/dust separation was like, I haven’t had a cyclone in the past so I wasn’t sure what to expect, I had less than ½ a teaspoon of talc like dust…..pretty amazing. During this time we spent hours at the big dust generators (sanding/lathe) as I was curious how this all works.
The unit went together like a glove, the instructions are great, very easy to read, understand and follow. I personally opted to not use the mag switch and installed an X10. To me a remote is a huge benefit.
For the past few years I have been using 2 – 2 h.p. delta single stage collectors, they don’t hold a candle to a cyclone. Aside from the cyclone maintaing CFM performance (I found the high efficiency aftermarket bags, as they loaded, my CFM dropped a lot and I was forever cleaning them spreading dust through the shop) and there always seemed to be a small leak, evidence of this was the colored dust on the wall from woods like bloodwood and Padouk.
When I am now sanding, I open a 6” port close to the sanding area and leave the cyclone running, IMO it’s better than running my air filter although I will continue to run both. The air quality in my shop at the moment is like I have never experienced.
I have read a number of comments that appear to be a little off base based on my own experience and feedback from other across the country that have purchased the Gorilla.
Shipping: The unit comes in 5 boxes, via UPS and not on a pallet. It is probably the best packed unit I have purchased, professionally done and it arrived without a scratch. I have a ww buddy in California that also received his without a scratch.
Metal Used: Cyclone Gauge is 16, the motor mounting plate is 11 gauge, I can’t imagine requiring heavier metal and I do have experience working with sheet metal....another hobby
Clean Out: There have been comments you have to remove the filter and blow it out, which could place harmful dust into your shop, this is not true, you blow it out with the filter attached to the cyclone, wait a few moments and remove the sealed bottom filter cover, dump the cover and that is basically it.
Shipping: From reading Oneida’s site shipping on the Gorilla costs $138 for points east of the MI river, $188 for points west. In my opinion from receiving equipment shipped UPS makes up in convenience as compared to a Freight delivery.
Availability: I spoke with Oneida yesterday as I have a fellow woodworker who would like to order their Gorilla. They are still sending out units with the Baldor motor. However they will not guarantee that anyone will get the Baldor motor. The Gorilla will have an alternate motor but for the time being they are still substituting and will be for at least a little while. They have the product however Jeffery who handled my order told me they are overwhelmed with orders, which does not surprise me. Jeff did say they are placing more of their resources on Gorilla orders and shipments, best idea is to give them a call, they are excellent folks to deal with, in my experience.
I noticed Oneida added a FAQ page yesterday for folks wanting to know the difference between the commercial unit and the Gorilla, may be worth a read.
Thanks and have a Great Weekend!
Andy