Modified Dust deputy - what affects cyclone performance?

[mrFinpgh]

I've had a dust deputy deluxe kit for about 5 years now.  It works great, keeps my dust collector mostly empty, etc..

The downside to it has always been emptying it, as the 5 gallon bucket fills up pretty quickly if I'm running a jointer or just processing a lot of material.  It's always a cloud of dust no matter how delicately I approach the task.

Rather than buy a larger bin, I decided to get some biodegradable liners and then use some scrap to build a larger bin to accommodate it, fitted to the bag size. I just tested it out today and the first issue is that the liners basically collapse in the bin once there's a vacuum.  That's probably not helping performance, though I don't know if it would cause more dust to be routed on to the vacuum.

I think I can deal with that by putting some sort of removable or disposable bracing in there.  Oneida sells a solution for this problem, but it wouldn't fit my specific container.

The other aspect that I'm curious about is whether the top of the bin (where the cyclone attaches) would make any difference in performance/separation.  The original  has a thin bucket lid with a 3" hole for debris to drop into.  Mine is a 1.5" thick top with a 3" hole for debris to drop into.  I wouldn't expect that to impact the performance of the cyclone or negatively affect anything, but I don't really know much about the physics of how these separators work. Would this have any effect on the dust separation ability of the cyclone?

Thanks,
Adam

 

[Bob D.]

I think if you equalize the pressure between the inside and outside of the bag it will stay put.

 

[Mini Me]

Equalising the pressure will fix it, a light drop in frame or no bag at all will also fix it. I use no bag in a 205 litre drum and dispose of it by tipping the drum directly but I can understand that not being an option for most people. What I have seen done and this only works if the debris is not contaminated with MDF, plywood etc is to have several drums of the same size and that take the same lid. There was a deal done with a local horse stable where the stables owner took away the full drum(s), returned it empty and rinse and repeat. Again not an option for everyone but brilliant if it works.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The thickness of the new lid is not a problem.

The Oneida Ultimate Dust Deputy uses a box with a bag inside to collect debris. To equalize the pressure and keep the bag out of the way of the incoming debris they run a tube between the the box and the fitting that goes to the vac. To press the bag against the sides of the box you run the vac while the vac hose is blocked. I just pull the hose and put my hand over the fitting. Then reconnect the hose and go on making debris. They provide a valve for the little tube but I just leave it open. Don’t even know what the valve is for really.

If you add a fitting for a similar tube to your bucket put it at the lowest point on the bucket since it will project into the bucket and could snag the bag if up higher.