Dust collector advice

[luvmyglockfou]

Hey I'm hoping to get some opinions here. I am building a new powder coating booth and had planned on using a standard small dust collector with a 5 micron or less bag. Question one is will that work? Question two: I've got the option of either purchasing a used delta AP300 or a new harbor freight system. The delta unit comes with the hoses and stuff, and obviously the hf unit doesn't. They are both $100 (hf coupon). What's the better way to go and why?

 

[luvmyglockfou]

Surprised the collective genius here hasn't emerged in this thread yet

 

[shoot summ]

Surprised the collective genius here hasn't emerged in this thread yet

Surprised you actually expect LT 3 hour response...

I've never seen a PC operation use a dust collector, they typically use a paint booth type system with extremely large air movers and filters. I think if you are doing small parts, and trying to get a low budget, then look for some old furnace squirrel cage blowers and make your own system.

To address question 2 you might invest a little effort and look at the specs for both units, I would lean towards the Delta, if the specs are the same or better.

 

[luvmyglockfou]

Shoot,
GJ is usually pretty darn quick int he Gen Tool thread, but I guess pardon my impatience. I have looked at the specs, and the HF unit is 1/4HP more. I realize that not many PC operations use a dust collector; however, I don't have a dedicated, full-sized spray booth either. I'm working wit a 4'x4'x2'D booth. I dont do anything larger than a wheel.

When asking about suggestions, I am referring not to the specs. I already now what the specs are. I am looking for first-hand experience with delta, of which I have none. Thanks anyways; appreciate the response.

 

[shoot summ]

Shoot,
GJ is usually pretty darn quick int he Gen Tool thread, but I guess pardon my impatience. I have looked at the specs, and the HF unit is 1/4HP more. I realize that not many PC operations use a dust collector; however, I don't have a dedicated, full-sized spray booth either. I'm working wit a 4'x4'x2'D booth. I dont do anything larger than a wheel.

When asking about suggestions, I am referring not to the specs. I already now what the specs are. I am looking for first-hand experience with delta, of which I have none. Thanks anyways; appreciate the response.

I think either one is going to have a hard time moving enough air to make much of a difference.

I have one similar in design to what you are looking at, not sure of the brand, it is an import. And I have a Delta barrel based unit. I had them both set up when my daughter and I were sanding on a project. 2 hoods about 3 feet apart on a flat surface, with a ceiling mounted aircleaner above us. Both sanders had dust bags on them as well. There was still a lot of dust that went out into the shop.

That is why I am suggesting a squirrel cage blower with some filters. A dust collector moves air through a 4-6" pipe, typically the ones you are looking at are for one tool. A squirrel cage blower moves a LOT of air by design.

Google down draft sanding table. This is a pretty common home project for the wood working guys, they take a blower and mount it in a table to sand on.

Just as a point of reference, the following article has a good table to show the CFM you need for a sanding table(not that different from a PC area). For a 4' table you need over 1500 CFM, a 14.75" impeller, and 7.5HP. The units your are looking at are 600CFM...

http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/downdraft.cfm

Beyond that you really want to keep as much particulate matter away from what you are coating, I don't think the dust collector(s) will do a good job of keeping the particles away with a 5 micron bag. You can get 1 micron bags/filters though.

 

[luvmyglockfou]

I think either one is going to have a hard time moving enough air to make much of a difference.

I have one similar in design to what you are looking at, not sure of the brand, it is an import. And I have a Delta barrel based unit. I had them both set up when my daughter and I were sanding on a project. 2 hoods about 3 feet apart on a flat surface, with a ceiling mounted aircleaner above us. Both sanders had dust bags on them as well. There was still a lot of dust that went out into the shop.

That is why I am suggesting a squirrel cage blower with some filters. A dust collector moves air through a 4-6" pipe, typically the ones you are looking at are for one tool. A squirrel cage blower moves a LOT of air by design.

Google down draft sanding table. This is a pretty common home project for the wood working guys, they take a blower and mount it in a table to sand on.

Just as a point of reference, the following article has a good table to show the CFM you need for a sanding table(not that different from a PC area). For a 4' table you need over 1500 CFM, a 14.75" impeller, and 7.5HP. The units your are looking at are 600CFM...

http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/downdraft.cfm

Beyond that you really want to keep as much particulate matter away from what you are coating, I don't think the dust collector(s) will do a good job of keeping the particles away with a 5 micron bag. You can get 1 micron bags/filters though.

A lot of good information here. Thank you. The reason I guess I figured it would be adequate is that generally guys are using box fans (standard 16-20") mounted to the side of the booth, with a filter in place just before the fan. I supposed if that was the norm for these booths than a dust collector would be adequate. How far off base am I on that? I guess I don't know what the CFM of a box fan is..

 

[shoot summ]

A lot of good information here. Thank you. The reason I guess I figured it would be adequate is that generally guys are using box fans (standard 16-20") mounted to the side of the booth, with a filter in place just before the fan. I supposed if that was the norm for these booths than a dust collector would be adequate. How far off base am I on that? I guess I don't know what the CFM of a box fan is..

We gotta help you with your google fu...

I googled "box fan cfm"

and got:

https://www.google.com/search?q=box...7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lasko-20-in-3-Speed-Box-Fan-3733/100405665#.UpPcC9L_lwg

Circulates up to 2,500 CFM for ample cooling power

 

[luvmyglockfou]

We gotta help you with your google fu...

I googled "box fan cfm"

and got:

https://www.google.com/search?q=box...7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lasko-20-in-3-Speed-Box-Fan-3733/100405665#.UpPcC9L_lwg

Circulates up to 2,500 CFM for ample cooling power

I'm just going to go to the corner now and be by myself...

 

[shoot summ]

I'm just going to go to the corner now and be by myself...

I was actually a little shocked at the CFM of a box fan...

I think it's actually higher than a squirrel cage blower, most of what I found on them indicates 1200-1500 CFM. The difference is probably how they perform "under load" with filters, I suspect the squirrel cage blower can sustain the airflow under load while the box fan loses a lot if you restrict the intake.