Dust Collection

You are not logged in. [ Login ] Why log in
(NOTE: Login is not required to post)

Anyone know who makes this ancient dust collector?

11/6/14       
Chris Tomasi

I inherited this when I moved into my new shop a year ago. It's just not sucking what it should be judging from the size of it? We mainly use it for a sliding table saw. We close all blast gates to dedicate suction to one machine at a time. My suspicion is that the lousy and excessive ducting with sharp 90's doesn't help. Still, you would think by the size of it, it would suck my arm off. The connection to the slider in pic was removed to see if there was something clogging the duct. It was taped before. Also, the air is pulsing recently as it sucks Thanks.

11/7/14       #2: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
Bill

There is no photo but the first place I would look is at whatever filter arrangement is on it. They do not last forever.

11/7/14       #3: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
The Staff at WOODWEB

Chris - if you can send me the image via email, I will add it to your post. Send to webmaster@woodweb.com.

Thanks.

11/7/14       #4: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
David R Sochar Member

To carry Bill's point a bit further, a fan can only suck if has somewhere to blow. Other wise it is like trying to suck smoke out of a beer bottle. Open the other end, and it will flow out. If you have clogged filters or no air return to the area that is being exhausted, the fan will spin but move little or no air. If doors are blown open or shut, this tells you that you need air return.

Then make sure all the ducts are wide sweeps, no sudden changes of direction, no inside corrugations, and tight joints.

11/7/14       #5: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
Chris Tomasi

another attempt at attaching the pics


View higher quality, full size image (480 X 640)


View higher quality, full size image (480 X 640)


View higher quality, full size image (640 X 480)

11/10/14       #6: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
Randy Member

Make sure that it's wired correctly and that the fan is turning the correct direction.

Electrician wired mine backwards, still sucked but only about a 3rd of what it should.

11/10/14       #7: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
Chris Tomasi

Wasn't aware you could wife if backwards. I'll have an electrician look at it. Then again, how would he know? I guess wire it opposite of what it is now and hope for the best.
Thanks Randy

11/11/14       #8: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
Randy Member

As large as it is I'm assuming (I know better) it's 3 phase. 3 hot wires which any 2 and it reversed the motor, but better have an electrician do it.

11/11/14       #9: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
David R Sochar Member

Chris - I do not see where the air that is coming out of the shop is either returned to the shop or exited out the collector anywhere.

If the air is not returned, then the collector will suck doors closed in the shop (if they swing out), or suck them open if they are inswing. It must be a loop, free flowing.

The sequence appears to be Inlet, Fan, heavy separator, some sort of fine separator, then a cyclone oddly used (backwards), then some sort of box apparatus with hanging filters. Not logical at all, from what I see. Should be fan, cyclone, filters, then return to the shop. Heavy dust should fall below the cyclone, and the fines below the filters, with some sort of clean out at the base of the filters.

It looks like an old Murphy Rogers that has been 'fixed up' if you know what I mean. If those box affairs to the left and above are tight, then air will not exit the filter bags, and the whole thing will hardly suck up a shaving.

I think I would look for a local dealer of systems and ask him to come over and examine, diagnose and let you figure out where to go from there. His first response will be 'whole New System..." - you just need to tell him you are committed to making this work, you just need to know how.

11/17/14       #10: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
JR Rutter Member

Agree with David - It looks to me like the whole thing is backwards.

1/5/15       #11: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
Rick

Your system was made by AAF/American Air Filter and is a well made unit. The blower is a true vane turbo charger style design that is balanced and extremely well made. These systems were sold to Voc schools all over the country and most have been removed since bringing them up to compliance was too costly.

The blower is coupled to a ' Rotoclone ' a proprietary separator that spins the mix similar to a cyclone and pulls the heavier chips into the bigger hopper. Anyway they run from about 15-20hp and 55-7000 CFM depending on how they are set up. Very nice units and worth keeping if they meet your needs. Because of the efficient blower design they pull air quite a bit more efficiently than most paddle wheel type blowers out there today and subsequently have a very flat performance curve

1/6/15       #12: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
Chris Tomasi

Wow! Thanks Rick! How exciting to learn I havent inherited a piece of junk. I will call them tomorrow to see if they have a tech that can come by to have a look. I really appreciate your input. Thank you! Ia had a look at the moter and it is only 5 horse 3 phase. Could I replace it with a 15 horse motor? Would it make a difference? I know zip about mechanics.
Thanks again.

1/7/15       #13: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
Factory Owner Member

Chris,

If it's not sucking the way it should be, take a look at the fan rotation.

There is a chance it could be spinning the wrong direction.

1/8/15       #14: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
Chris tomasi

Checked that. Spins correctly. My suspicion is its in the lousy ducting. Any idea if I can put a bigger motor on it?

1/8/15       #15: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
c

Is that 10 or 12" coming off the collector and going into the building ? Is that an 8 reduction in the door ? Maybe to many reducers along the main and then reduced again too much going down the wall

If the collector is pulsing as it collects you may have too much restriction open a gate

2/2/15       #16: Anyone know who makes this ancient ...
B.H. Davis Member

That looks like an awfully large blower for a 5hp motor. My Oneida is a fraction of the size of that and has a 7.5 hp motor. From the look of the system I'd think a 15hp motor would be an absolute minimum. It will be interesting to see what you find out.

BH Davis


Post a Response
  • Notify me of responses to this thread
  • Subscribe to email updates on this Forum
  • To receive email notification of additions to this forum thread,
    enter your name and email address, and then click the
    "Keep Me Posted" button below.

    Please Note: If you have posted a message or response,
    do not submit this request ... you are already signed up
    to receive notification!

    Your Name:
    E-Mail Address:
    Enter the correct numbers into the field below:
     

    Date of your Birth:



    Return to top of page

    Buy & Sell Exchanges | Forums | Galleries | Site Map

    FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

  • WOODWEB is a professional industrial woodworking site. Hobbyist and homeowner woodworking questions are inappropriate.
  • Messages should be kept reasonably short and on topic, relating to the focus of the forum. Responses should relate to the original question.
  • A valid email return address must be included with each message.
  • Advertising is inappropriate. The only exceptions are the Classified Ads Exchange, Machinery Exchange, Lumber Exchange, and Job Opportunities and Services Exchange. When posting listings in these areas, review the posting instructions carefully.
  • Subject lines may be edited for length and clarity.
  • "Cross posting" is not permitted. Choose the best forum for your question, and post your question at one forum only.
  • Messages requesting private responses will be removed - Forums are designed to provide information and assistance for all of our visitors. Private response requests are appropriate at WOODWEB's Exchanges and Job Opportunities and Services.
  • Messages that accuse businesses or individuals of alleged negative actions or behavior are inappropriate since WOODWEB is unable to verify or substantiate the claims.
  • Posts with the intent of soliciting answers to surveys are not appropriate. Contact WOODWEB for more information on initiating a survey.
  • Excessive forum participation by an individual upsets the balance of a healthy forum atmosphere. Individuals who excessively post responses containing marginal content will be considered repeat forum abusers.
  • Responses that initiate or support inappropriate and off-topic discussion of general politics detract from the professional woodworking focus of WOODWEB, and will be removed.
  • Participants are encouraged to use their real name when posting. Intentionally using another persons name is prohibited, and posts of this nature will be removed at WOODWEB's discretion.
  • Comments, questions, or criticisms regarding Forum policies should be directed to WOODWEB's Systems Administrator
    (return to top).

    Carefully review your message before clicking on the "Send Message" button - you will not be able to revise the message once it has been sent.

    You will be notified of responses to the message(s) you posted via email. Be sure to enter your email address correctly.

    WOODWEB's forums are a highly regarded resource for professional woodworkers. Messages and responses that are crafted in a professional and civil manner strengthen this resource. Messages that do not reflect a professional tone reduce the value of our forums.

    Messages are inappropriate when their content: is deemed libelous in nature or is based on rumor, fails to meet basic standards of decorum, contains blatant advertising or inappropriate emphasis on self promotion (return to top).

    Libel:   Posts which defame an individual or organization, or employ a tone which can be viewed as malicious in nature. Words, pictures, or cartoons which expose a person or organization to public hatred, shame, disgrace, or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person or organization, are libelous.

    Improper Decorum:   Posts which are profane, inciting, disrespectful or uncivil in tone, or maliciously worded. This also includes the venting of unsubstantiated opinions. Such messages do little to illuminate a given topic, and often have the opposite effect. Constructive criticism is acceptable (return to top).

    Advertising:   The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not an advertising venue. Companies participating in a Forum discussion should provide specific answers to posted questions. WOODWEB suggests that businesses include an appropriately crafted signature in order to identify their company. A well meaning post that seems to be on-topic but contains a product reference may do your business more harm than good in the Forum environment. Forum users may perceive your references to specific products as unsolicited advertising (spam) and consciously avoid your web site or services. A well-crafted signature is an appropriate way to advertise your services that will not offend potential customers. Signatures should be limited to 4-6 lines, and may contain information that identifies the type of business you're in, your URL and email address (return to top).

    Repeated Forum Abuse: Forum participants who repeatedly fail to follow WOODWEB's Forum Guidelines may encounter difficulty when attempting to post messages.

    There are often situations when the original message asks for opinions: "What is the best widget for my type of shop?". To a certain extent, the person posting the message is responsible for including specific questions within the message. An open ended question (like the one above) invites responses that may read as sales pitches. WOODWEB suggests that companies responding to such a question provide detailed and substantive replies rather than responses that read as a one-sided product promotion. It has been WOODWEB's experience that substantive responses are held in higher regard by our readers (return to top).

    The staff of WOODWEB assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, or outcome of any posting transmitted at WOODWEB's Message Boards. Participants should undertake the use of machinery, materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB's Message Boards after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages it deems inappropriate. (return to top)


  • Forum Posting Help
    Your Name The name you enter in this field will be the name that appears with your post or response (return to form).
    Your Website Personal or business website links must point to the author's website. Inappropriate links will be removed without notice, and at WOODWEB's sole discretion. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    E-Mail Address Your e-mail address will not be publicly viewable. Forum participants will be able to contact you using a contact link (included with your post) that is substituted for your actual address. You must include a valid email address in this field. (return to form)
    Subject Subject may be edited for length and clarity. Subject lines should provide an indication of the content of your post. (return to form)
    Thread Related Link and Image Guidelines Thread Related Links posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should point to locations that provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related Link that directs visitors to an area with inappropriate content will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Thread Related File Uploads Thread Related Files posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. Video Files: acceptable video formats are: .MOV .AVI .WMV .MPEG .MPG .MP4 (Image Upload Tips)   If you encounter any difficulty when uploading video files, E-mail WOODWEB for assistance. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related File that contains inappropriate content will be removed, and uploaded files that are not directly related to the message thread will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links, files, or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)