Make you own cyclone advice

[Jeff in vancouver]

So after much reading and research I have decided the DC options for me is the small oineda cyclone with integrated filter or to make my own. As the oineda would be way over my budget, I plan to make my own cyclone and blower. I have read peltz's site all about this.

Who has made there cyclone blower and so you have any general advice or things to look out for?

[GerryinAgassiz]

Hi Jeff - I made the Wood Cyclone several years ago and it works fine. When I build another one I am going to follow Bill Pentz directions and plans. From all reports and posts Bills design works as good as or better than anything out there.

Gerry

[Rajiv_in_KW]

Steve in kemptville made his own following bill pentz's advice. also on woodcentral articles section there is an article by another gentleman who did same. HTH

--Rajiv

[Albert]

http://home.pacbell.net/jdismuk/cyclone.html

[Allan Johanson - South Su]

Hi Jeff,

Drop Bill a line and maybe you can buy one of his spare giant blowers. Then you need a beefy motor to spin the thing without frying. You will be fine with a 5HP rated motor; one that draws about 20 amps @ 240V. Hook that up to a 30A circuit with #10 wire and you're set.

If, in the end, you opt for an Oneida, get the one that has the EXTERNAL filter, not the internal one. You'll be much happier.

Happy planning!

Allan

[Steve In Kemptville]

I made my own cyclone and blower (but used a Cincinnati Blower replacement fan).
Mine is not using BIll's plans as Raj said but rather a WOOD stule cyclone that was modified (with Bills guidance) to perform almost as well as his but not quite.

I didn't do my own metal work, I found a sheet metal worker that was willing to take on the jobe on the side for cash and it cost me only about $50 in labour.

If you do build make sure you either use a 14" (or bigger) material movement fan or maybe something along the lines of Sheldon's airfoil.

With a material fan you will need 5HP, an airfoil you can get by on 2HP.

I would suggest that you follow Bill's plans on the cyclone, it's proven and effective.

If you use the FARR filter consider using 2. The information supplie dot me originally was not quite accurate and instead of 1000CFM they are really about 800CFM. This will add some overhead to your system and 2 filters (in parallel) would allow it to breathe easier. I am considering doing this to mine someday but first I need a "round Tuit" ;)

Check out my website if you haven't seen it yet. My links page has a few others on it that have built thier own. Stephen Silca was a recent graduate of the Bill Pentz school of DIY cyclones (you do you like that one Bill ~grin~).
He debated on using 2 filters also and at the time I suggested he do as I did and use one, if he had problems with it he could always add another. In honesty mine will likely run for years on one filter, it still works great.

THe only real thing I would change about my cyclone is the blower housing. I put the cutoff right close to the fan instead of setting it back a couple inches (the tighter is better mentality, sorta like more power si better;). This doesn't add much in efficiency but what it does do is creates noise, in fact it basically turns the blower into a siren. Result is my blower has a medium pitched "whine" that's a bit annoying after a while.

Other than these minor suggestions I say GO FOR IT. You will spend half the cost of the Oneida and likely have a much more powerful system when finished.


My Website (http://www3.sympatico.ca/caters/Wood)

[Gump in Renfrew]

Hi Jeff,

I have recently decided to take on the cyclone project as well. Just waiting for the funds to accumulate. Steve has been fantastic in providing advice for me and I have been in touch with Bill as well. I was planning on going with the 14" Cincinatti fan but Bill has talked me into a new fan from Sheldon's Engineering (no disrespect Steve). It isn't the airfoil but a new material movement fan like the Cincinatti that was developed for Bill's cyclone. Bill has recently issued a warning about the Cincinatti fan and no longer recommends it. The Sheldon's fan is steel vs. the aluminum Cincinatti. Apparently the Cincinatti cannot take the abuse of material hits if you overfill the collection barrel and may break apart. I can retrieve an exact quote of Bill's warning if you require it.

I had contacted the Cincinatti dealer in Ontario and got a quote of $244.00 plus S&H and tax. I haven't got a quote from Sheldon's yet. By the way, Sheldon's is a Canadian firm. Bill pointed this out to me after I mistakenly dismissed them as American. Nothing against American's, I just didn't want to get into the crossborder shipping suprises that I keep reading about on this forum.

As far as the motor and filter, I am following Steve's recommendation and going with Leeson and Farr. There are cheaper motors available but hopefully I have many years to come in the shop and I want a quality unit that will stand the test of time. I also like Baldor and Weg.

I also plan on eliminating some of the soldering from Bill's design with snaplock joints and HVAC sealant. Steve did the same.

Bill will probably read your post and respond as well. Bill, If I have misconstrued your opinions please correct me. Ditto for you too Steve.

Hope this helps,

Gump

[Scott in Bradford]

I've been regularly following all the threads on here and reading Bill's website - and I'm soon to take on this project as well. I also have a few eyes out looking for a deal on a motor...
In the meantime, the questions will be coming, and just wanted to say thanks in advance to Bill & Steve especially for their dedication and help in this area!

[Rajiv_in_KW]

Same here, keeping an eye out for good motor & waiting for funds to accumulate.

--Rajiv

[Toshi in Stouffville]

I made from Bill's with Sheldon's Air foil fan (about CAN$220) and 2HP Motor from DELTA.

I ask a lot of question to bill (Thanks bill!)
I got right.

Works good, One hard things was transition from
Cyclone to blower intake shape. Other things went
very smooth.

Oh!. that is heavy. hard work put this things to between basement rafter.

[Ed/Leaside]

But first I gotta figgur out how big a hood's goin' on the lathe, suckin' dust off a 6' toothpick :)

[Jeff in vancouver]

Maybe we should start a support group!

[Rajiv_in_KW]

United Cyclone Constructors a.k.a. UCC?? wait..that acronym is already taken :)

--Rajiv

[Ed/Leaside]

Support groups, with all the abuse and abasement required to motivate, lead to disfunctional relationships. I'd don't think the forum would recover :)