| Project by IowaWoodcrafter | posted 628 days ago | 910 views | 0 times favorited | 7 comments |  |
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After reading the issue of Wood magazine regarding dust collectors I decided I needed to do something to make my environment healthier. The Crafstman dust collector I had purchased came with 30 micron filter bags. I ordered replacement bags from American Fabric Filter. The new upper bag is 72 inches tall and will filter down to 1 micron. I ordered 4 heavy plastic lower bags, 5 or 6 mil thick, can’t remember.
I first ran the machine after replacing just the upper bag. It filters so good that dust started coming out of the lower bag like mad. I immediately shut down the machine and replaced the lower bag with one of the plastic bags.
I am completely amazed at the difference in my dust collector after the upgrade, it’s like a whole new machine. I have no way to scientifically prove this but I can a vast improvement in the cubic feet per minute of air being sucked through the hose.
I’ve never liked the based of the machine. The sheet metal is far too thin. I’m also not happy about my improvised upper bag hanger. This weekend I hope to make a better base out of MDF, find some way to raise the section where the bags attach and create a better upper bag holder.
-- Owen Johnson - aka IowaWoodcrafter
7 comments so far
mgradwohl
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189 posts in 692 days
posted 628 days ago
Hey sounds like a great upgrade.
Can you post contact info for them? My internet search didn’t return helpful results.
IowaWoodcrafter
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256 posts in 955 days
posted 628 days ago
Their web site is American Fabric Filter. Their phone is 800-367-3591. The fabric filter cost was $80.84. The four plastic bags were $10, ($2.50 each). I’m going to like the plastic bags because I’ll be able to see when it’s getting to where it needs to be emptied. I just double checked and they are 6 mil plastic. You can also buy the bags in boxes of 50, the price drops down to a little over a dollar per bag.
They can custom make any size bags. They quoted me bags that tapered out to 30 or 36 inches in diameter. The more surface area the better your dust collector will work.
-- Owen Johnson - aka IowaWoodcrafter
Scott Bryan
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20080 posts in 700 days
posted 628 days ago
Nice upgrade. As woodworkers we tend to overlook the heath and safety implications of the fines that come from sanding and sawing. The cost of the upgrade is insignificant when compared with the toll these fines take on our lungs.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Scott
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57 posts in 740 days
posted 628 days ago
Thanks for the information. I has a Grizzly twin bag dust collector. After hearing that you feel the CFM has improved, I plan to up grade to the 1 micron bags.
-- Scott, Kentucky ----- "Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry" Mark Twain
Jiri Parkman
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602 posts in 691 days
posted 628 days ago
Nice upgrade.
-- Jiri
Al Killian
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271 posts in 632 days
posted 622 days ago
Nice upgrade. I have bought a new bag from them also and it made a big differnce in the dust in the shop.One more thing that can help is, Getting rid of the bend in the plastic pipe. The one going from the blower houseing to the bags.
USCJeff
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899 posts in 947 days
posted 622 days ago
Need to get better bags myself. Check out an old project of http://lumberjocks.com/projects/4507. Don’t know if it will be what you’re looking for, but it has made my dinky steel base feel much more stable.
-- Jeff, South Carolina