Jim – Thank you for your kind words.
Would it be possible to build a 24" diameter cyclone, especially since my two stage unit has a 24" diameter lid, that would also be as effective as the 22" unit you describe on your web page?
Absolutely, and the 24” would be a better solution with this unit, but you are going to lose some fine dust separation efficiency. My measuring of a 22” diameter cyclone showed the find dust separation efficiency fell by nearly half. The 24” will be even worse which is why with the resale so high on one of these that I recommended using that equity to buy or build a more efficient cyclone.
When you were working with your Cincinnati Fan unit did you ever try their 3hp filter bag which attaches to a garbage can and is hung from a ceiling mount? Even though its only 5 micron filtration I was interested in it because of the sheer amount of surface area it offered.
No, I instead bought an oversized bag from AFF. It flowed more air, but also rapidly clogged because my unit just put too much dust into the filter.
Alan,
Pardon my ignorance on this subject, but the one thing I haven't seen discussed recently is if one was content to use a single stage canister type DC, could build one themselves with a 3HP or 5HP motor and create tremendous suction? Seems that most products change to a 2 stage when they get to 3HP.
Yes you can make an excellent blower to power a single stage blower for a very reasonable cost (<$200 if you scrounge a good used motor) using my Budget Blower plans. I know quite a few who have done just this and then blow their dust away outside into a big drum topped with a large open filter bag that freely passes most of the fine dust. Should they later choose to power a cyclone, they are already set with a good blower.