Popular Post Just Bob Posted September 15, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Recently I swapped out the HF DC impeller, for the larger Rikon impeller. I did this to try and delay, for a little while, replacing the HF with a real DC. I ordered the RIkon impeller and with shipping it was $119.00. The swap was easy, remove 12 screws for the impeller cover, remove a reverse threaded hex bolt and washer. I used a small puller to start removing the old impeller and then pulled it off by hand. Put the new impeller on and screw everything back together. The HF impeller is 9 7/8" in diameter with forward facing vanes, the Rikon is 11 7/8" with reverse vanes. My DC uses 5" duct, reduced to 4" at three drops, it is ducted through a Super Dust Deputy and exhausts outside. The longest run is 41', using a handheld anemometer, here are the results. Before: the average at all three drops was 325 cfm After: average 640 cfm. These are not "denture" sucking numbers, but it did suck up the remote for my air filter. FYI this makes a lot of noise in metal ducting. So for me the swap was worth the effort. However, it does make the motor work more, using a amp clamp meter, here is what I found. Before: Startup amps, 14.27 Running 10.17 After: Startup 18.7, Running 12.7 So if you do this realize that you are putting additional stress on the motor, which may end up in its premature death.. My unit is 8yrs old and I would be happy to replace it. Rikon Service #: 877-884-5167 M-F, 8-5 EST. ask for the impeller for 60-200. Impellers: DC 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 That sounds like a great outcome vs the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Was this one of those bag models that you disassembled and rigged up with a cyclone? What HP did you start with? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 This is cool an interesting. I'd really like to do this but i have a feeling that when i upgrade I'm going to just go with a cyclone unit. My concern is with the extra load on the motor. It'd be interesting to see if this has an effect on bearings and other items on the motor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted September 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 11 hours ago, Isaac Gaetz said: Was this one of those bag models that you disassembled and rigged up with a cyclone? What HP did you start with? It is just the standard 2hp Harbor Freight 2 bag DC. Over the last 8 years I have tried every modification known to man to get better results. This is the last mod.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonPacific Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 That's a really neat idea. I like the idea of simple machinery like this, where you can replace individual parts for better results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 3 hours ago, Just Bob said: It is just the standard 2hp Harbor Freight 2 bag DC. Over the last 8 years I have tried every modification known to man to get better results. This is the last mod.... Very cool. That is what I thought you were doing. I've been thinking of upgrading my dust collection, I like the unit over a cyclone covered bucket like that. It would work better for my set up, may have to borrow it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Meggison Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 I have seen a number of HF modifications and like a lot of the ideas. Still thinking about what I will do with mine. I do have one concern. It is my understanding that many electric motors are designed with bearings based on whether the shaft is mounted horizontal or vertical. The vertical mount has special thrust bearings to take the vertical load. Without these I would think the bearings would fail prematurely. I am no electric motor specialist, please correct my thinking if I am wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 I have seen a number of HF modifications and like a lot of the ideas. Still thinking about what I will do with mine. I do have one concern. It is my understanding that many electric motors are designed with bearings based on whether the shaft is mounted horizontal or vertical. The vertical mount has special thrust bearings to take the vertical load. Without these I would think the bearings would fail prematurely. I am no electric motor specialist, please correct my thinking if I am wrong. You are correct, but 'premature failure' is a relative term. In such a small machine, it might mean it runs for 19 years, instead of 20. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted September 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 6 minutes ago, wtnhighlander said: You are correct, but 'premature failure' is a relative term. In such a small machine, it might mean it runs for 19 years, instead of 20. I agree, I just don't see the this as being a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Wincer Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 Just Rob, Do you know why the vanes on the Rikon face backwards? It just doesn't make any sense to me. I am surprised the impeller cost $119 including shipping. I've read posts where it only cost $60. Guess I need to get a hold of Rikon. Well, I guess your right. Just called them and it's $117 including shipping to Ohio. Any they don't know why the vanes are shaped backwards either. Titan152 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 Very cool, thanks for sharing...................... -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted February 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 14 minutes ago, Bill Wincer said: Do you know why the vanes on the Rikon face backwards? It just doesn't make any sense to me I did some research on this, and if memory serves, it has to do with less stress on the motor. The backward facing vanes are more efficient in moving air, but place a greater amount of stress on the motor bearings, etc.. DO NOT QUOTE me, it has been awhile and it is quite possible I am wrong. But I wouldn't worry about it a whole lot, I have used the crap out of my DC since I changed impellers and it is still going strong. And yea, the price used to be $60.00, ya gotta love supply and demand.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post drzaius Posted February 8, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 56 minutes ago, Bill Wincer said: Do you know why the vanes on the Rikon face backwards? It just doesn't make any sense to me. Backward facing vanes will maintain CFM better as static pressure rises. Forward facing will make a ton of CFM, but will quickly drop off as static pressure rises. That's why furnace blowers (which have a very strong forward curve) make crappy dust collectors. Straight vanes are in between. The above is highly simplified & I'm no expert, but this is just what I learn from doing way too much research when shopping for a dust collection system. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleedinblue Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 I don't know how I missed this thread before...but holy crap that's a big improvement in suction. I guess I'll have to do the same to mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Wincer Posted February 10, 2017 Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 On 2/8/2017 at 11:50 PM, bleedinblue said: I don't know how I missed this thread before...but holy crap that's a big improvement in suction. I guess I'll have to do the same to mine. Yes in my research the impeller of the Harbor Freight is 9 7/8" and the Rikon 60-200 is 12". Why Harbor Freight chose to under size the impeller is anyone's guess. It leaves 2" of volume loss. My goal is to make the DC as close to the 3hp Grizzly as possible without the Grizzly price. I recently had the opportunity to witness first hand the awesome suction that a 3hp Grizzly system fitted with an Oneida Super Dust Deputy can produce. In my HF DC design, I'm changing the impeller, increasing the impeller inlet from 4 3/8" to 6", fit a super dust deputy XL (which has 6" inlet and outlet) Wynn 35A filter, 6" main's and 4" drops with blast gates. This design is going to make the HF DC as best as it can get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 11, 2017 Report Share Posted February 11, 2017 Yes in my research the impeller of the Harbor Freight is 9 7/8" and the Rikon 60-200 is 12". Why Harbor Freight chose to under size the impeller is anyone's guess. It leaves 2" of volume loss. My goal is to make the DC as close to the 3hp Grizzly as possible without the Grizzly price. I recently had the opportunity to witness first hand the awesome suction that a 3hp Grizzly system fitted with an Oneida Super Dust Deputy can produce. In my HF DC design, I'm changing the impeller, increasing the impeller inlet from 4 3/8" to 6", fit a super dust deputy XL (which has 6" inlet and outlet) Wynn 35A filter, 6" main's and 4" drops with blast gates. This design is going to make the HF DC as best as it can get. But is it actually going to be significantly less expensive, in the end? Not sarcasm, I really am curious. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Brent Posted March 18, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 I modified my Harbor Freight Dust Collector with the 12" Rikon impeller, opened up the inlet to 6" and turned it into a two stage scylone with the Super Dust Deputy XL. I shot a video of the entire process and measured the CFM of the final system. I am really happy with the results. Here is a link to the video: 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted March 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 6 hours ago, Brent said: I modified my Harbor Freight Dust Collector with the 12" Rikon impeller, opened up the inlet to 6" and turned it into a two stage scylone with the Super Dust Deputy XL. Brent, I saw your video on YouTube the other day and was really impressed. I have seen others that have increased the intake on the DC to 6" to match the SDD. I swore that I was not going to do anymore mods to this thing, but now I am waffling a bit. I am curious about the dust sensor, the lid for my can is 3/4 ply, will the sensor work in something that thick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent Posted March 19, 2017 Report Share Posted March 19, 2017 16 hours ago, Just Bob said: Brent, I saw your video on YouTube the other day and was really impressed. I have seen others that have increased the intake on the DC to 6" to match the SDD. I swore that I was not going to do anymore mods to this thing, but now I am waffling a bit. I am curious about the dust sensor, the lid for my can is 3/4 ply, will the sensor work in something that thick? Thanks! The sensor would work through a 3/4" lid because it lets you adjust the sensitivity. You would probably have to bore out the bottom half of the hole to countersink the nut into the ply. I don't think the shaft of the sensor would stick out far enough through the bottom of the hole to attach the nut otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Wincer Posted March 21, 2017 Report Share Posted March 21, 2017 Brent, awesome video!! Thank you so much!! Please read my comments to this video on your Grey House Studio page. I am making the mod to my HF DC exactly like yours. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJanzen Posted May 10, 2017 Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 I sent a request to Rikon Tech Support earlier today and they were very timely in responding with the following note: Hey Joel, Thank you for your inquiry. Parts can be ordered by calling (877)-884-5167 Mon-Fri from 8:00am-4:30pm EST. Unfortunately we are currently out of stock on the Impeller and are expecting to see more beginning of June. If you would like we can put the impeller on backorder and ship as soon as we have them in. Cost for the Impeller is $199.98 plus shipping and handling. I hope this is helpful. Please do not hesitate to let us know if there is anything else we could help you with. Wow! Is it supply and demand or greed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JJanzen Posted May 10, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 I just sent the Tech Support back a note and questioned why their price has gone up $ 80.00 since February....I got a very quick email back with the following note: Hey Joel. There was a typo in that email. The price for the impeller is $119.99 with S&H Glad to hear that and this restores my faith back in Rikon! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Wincer Posted May 11, 2017 Report Share Posted May 11, 2017 JJansen, I'm glad you got that clarification on price from Rikon. That initial price quote alarmed me as well. I'm confident that if we upgrade the impeller, it will definitely increase the CFM. Best of luck to you in your upgrade. I will be doing the same thing later this year. So far, I am using the original Harbor Freight Dust Collector set up with the cloth collection bag on the bottom and the cloth bag filter on top. Initially, the fine dust particles did make it through the 2.0 micron bag, but after a couple uses I no longer noticed it. I am also using a Powertec dust collection hose from Amazon and good hose clamps. Love the dust collector so far and with upgrades it will only get better. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LPOR42M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FAMGEFI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DIYBUILDS Posted February 6, 2018 Report Share Posted February 6, 2018 Hey everyone, Just wanted to say this forum was a big help to me and I did go head with the Rikon upgrade and made a video about my results. If anyone is interested here you go: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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