Minimum CFM for ShopBot?

[williams_architectural]

What size CFM dust collector do I need for my ShopBot?

[dubliner]

Greetings from Austin - at least 1 HP, I'm using a 1.5, but its about a 20 ft run to the dust foot. I suppose it depends on how much dust you'll produce.

[erik_f]

I have a cheap delta unit that has been working for years. I think it is only 1 1/2 HP...it was the cheapest I could find. I suppose it depends on how long a run of hose you have. I'm sure a higher CFM unit might grab more dust...but usually I have a minimum of dust around after a file. You will never capture all if it no matter what you do.

[dana_swift]

My dust collector is 1500cfm 2.5hp. Heavier chips will escape under the dust foot if the skirt is not touching the material. All the "normal" size chips get collected in the DC.

It still works reasonably well if any blast gate other than the SB is open. So I can conclude that 1500cfm is more than what is really minimal. Its nice to have tho..

D

[fredtoo]

I picked this one up in February on sale for I think $149.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-hp-industrial-5-micron-dust-collector-97869.html

Works great.......

5 micron might be a problem to some but I also run a Jet dust filtration system and don't think I have a problem.

[dlcw]

I use the 1.5hp dust collector from Harbor Freight and it works really well. You can tell the DC is not overly well made but it works and the price isn't bad.

[michael_schwartz]

You can only pull so much CFM through the shopbot's dust shoe so a 1.5 or 2.5 HP DC should be more than enough unless you want to build a larger shoe.

If you want to run any additional machines, you would want to consider at least 3hp, or 2 separate collectors.

I run a 3.5 HP cyclone and recently ran 6" hose to the bot with the intention to allow for an outer shoe/shroud on the front half of the stock dust shoe which I am designing to take advantage of some more airflow.

[blackhawk]

One specification that is just as important as CFM is the STATIC PRESSURE rating of the chip collector. The higher the number the better. Static pressure is what allows your chip collector to overcome the frictional losses in your piping system. Every elbow, bend, joint, etc. induces friction to the air. Two separate DCs may callout 1500 CFM, but one may only have 8" of static pressure and the other may have 12". Both would perform the same if your system has less than 8" of frictional losses. But if your piping system has 10" of losses, you won't be able to move the chips with the 8" machine.

I use the G1029Z from Grizzly, 2HP, 1550 CFM, 11" static pressure. It runs $370 with shipping. It will suck up a 16' Stanley tape measure through 10 feet of flex pipe.:) That was fun to clean up.

[Big-Tex]

Delta 50-850 1-1/2 HP Single Phase Dust Collector 1200 CFM

I offered $100 it was collecting dust in shop I worked at.
He wanted $125 so I told boss who cleans it me or him....... :)
Ended paying $100.

[navigator7]

I use the G1029Z from Grizzly, 2HP, 1550 CFM, 11" static pressure. It runs $370 with shipping. It will suck up a 16' Stanley tape measure through 10 feet of flex pipe.:) That was fun to clean up.

I'd like to offer you a job as lead advertising director for Grizzly Tools!

(As we are here looking for advice....what is the best cleaning agent to get coffee off my iMac?
Dang, that was funny!)

[dubliner]

That would be the "iShamwow" Chuck.