Industrial DC bags Source??

[Morrie Jewell]

Had no idea that such a great forum existed here in Canada. 1) I would like to try these certified needle felt dust collector bags that some of you have been talking about.Anyone have a source to get me started ??
2) Also has any of you looked at the Gen. Int. 2hp dust collector . I was thinking of buying the one without the canister and installing the industrial bags.(Mobile single machine use) Any comments ??
Thanks Morrie

[Bob in Lachute, Qc.]

Hi Morrie,

There are several sources available, for industrial needle-felt bags. What size bags are you looking for??

One source, would be Kraemer, in Toronto (Brampton?) They have a wide selection of fabrics, and sizes. Smaller home-shop bags, may be a problem.

Belfab, in Longueil Qc., also has needle-felt bags, and depending on your dc, the bags from the Belfab JJ (20" diameter), may fit. You can buy those directly from Belfab, or you can try JR. Normand Inc. You might get a better price at Normand, since Belfab would probably sell at full manufacturers suggested retail. At Belfab, I believe they go for $63. US, each. Normand used to have those for $60 something Canadian, but that was two years ago.

The bags, are superbly made. They have an air permeability of over 60 cfm per square foot, and a pair of bags has 32 sq.ft. of surface area. They are rated for 0.5 microns. Bag thickness is 1/8". This is the same needle-felt, that Belfab uses in their larger dc's filters.

The bags are all triple-stitched, and very tight fitting. High quality construction throughout. There are no "bag loops", just one continuous pocket, around the entire rim of the bag. That feature, does not allow the bags to "bunch-up" on the bag clamp, when you are replacing the filters on the dc. They're a breeze to work with. Life expectancy in the home-shop ,is 5-10 years. These bags are washable, but you'll probably only require the occasional shake to clean them.

These are "low pressure-drop" filters, so watch your dc's amp-draw. As long as you're hooked-up to some ducting, to provide at least some resistance, you'll be fine.

I have a Belfab JJ, 2hp dc, and the over-all height with filters installed, is 80" (6' 10").

http://www.belfab.net/jj.html

http://www.kraemertool.com/datafilters.htm

http://www.normand.ca/ejoindre.html

I'm currently in the process of putting together some suppliers of filters, ducting, fittings, as well as small industrial dc's. If you need more info, just email me.

All the best, Bob

[Steve in Ayr]

Bob

I'm looking around for a supplier of high quality flex duct. (ie the stuff that will actually still flex in a cold shop on a January morning. ) I'm sure I've seen you post on where to find this stuff before, but I can't find it in the archives. I'm looking for somewhere in Toronto area and west.

Thanks

Steve Evans

[Bob in Lachute, Qc.]

Hi Steve,

I'm not certain about the Toronto area, but perhaps "Gus, in Maple", might help with that. Seems to me I saw someone mention that too. I seem to recall a guy near the Hamilton area, saying he paid $7. per foot, perhaps at "Tegs".I know there was also, someone near the Ottawa area, if I remember correctly. I think they bought from "Rubber-Line", or "Rubber-Set".

One of the most complete line-ups of flex ducting, is by "Flexhaust". Perhaps you can look that up, and find a distributor, or retailer. I met one at the Industrial show in Ste. Hyacinthe, Qc., at the end of October. I just made an initial contact, but have yet to go to Montreal, to look them up. They have something for every need. Probably fairly expensive, compared to what the average home-shop owner uses.

There are several varieties of urethane flex ducts available. Those look almost the same as the cheaper vinyl ducting we so often see in stores. It's a helluva lot tougher though, and much more expensive. Comes in many "Plies", 2 ply, 3ply, 4 ply, etc. That stuff is fairly common from industrial ducting suppliers, but they often will not sell less than a certain amount. The lowest I've seen, is 50 feet. Some are as high as 250 ft minimum. Those guys, will charge a "cutting fee". That fee alone, can be over $40.-$50. That stuff, is resistant to everything, and tough as nails. It won't crack, like vinyl can, if it gets too cold.

The pricing of most good quality large diameter (6")flex, tends to be well over $10. per foot. Usually up around $15.-$16. per foot, depending on diameter.

If you're looking for larger diameter flex-hose, but not too expensive, you might want to try any General dealer. General sells large diameter flex, and it's fairly limp. Most likely vinyl, but a fair quality none the less. I bought a 15-18 foot length of 6", and it cost me $150 if I remember. It's not something you want to be using, unless you have to. I bought it strictly for my 15" planer, since I have to roll it around, due to lack of shop space.

J.R. Normand, sells one of the Flexhaust flex hoses. Their pricing is quite good for what it is. They sell it in 4",5", and 6" diameters. That ducting, is extremely high quality, and is made from rubberized cloth, with an outer spiral "wear-ring", that's impervious to chemicals, etc. It tends to be a bit stiffer than some, especially compared to the vinyl flex. I don't know what current pricing is on that stuff, but I remember it was excellant. They sell it in pre-cut lengths, of 6',12', and 25'. They charge no cutting fee, and I believe the prices for 6" diameters, were roughly $70.(perhaps higher) for 6',$125. for 12', and around $190. for 25', respectively.

Here's the General ducting,

http://www.general.ca/product/inter/10110anopt.html

Here's Flexhaust.

http://www.flexaust.com/industrial/application.asp?cat=2

All the best, Bob

[Steve in Ayr]

Thanks Bob

I'm going to give Rubberline a shout tomorrow. We have one out here in Kitchener.

Steve