Recommendations for a 5HP cyclone?

[Beechwood Chip]

I'm thinking of upgrading my frankenstein 2HP dust collector to a 5HP cyclone.  I'm looking at the Dust Gorilla but it's pretty pricey, and there might be better options out there.  It would need to fit under my shop's 8' ceiling.

I started off with an old 2HP Delta DC that I bought used.  I replaced the filter bag with a Wynn filter, and removed the "air ramp" and built a Thein separator (similar to what April Wilkerson did here).  I suspect that it's acting as a "dust pump" since the corner of my shop with the DC has more fine dust than the other areas of my shop.  Rather than drive myself crazy trying to find and plug the leaks, I'm considering just buying a solution.  Also, I'm continually annoyed by the poor dust collection at my tools, and figure that a dust collector with more oomph couldn't hurt.

Thoughts and recommendations would be welcome.  Thanks

[wtnhighlander]

I hear a lot of good things about the Oneida Supercell platform. I'm still stuck with a cobbled up monster for now, though.

[Mark J]

I have also heard good things about the Supercell.  I've also heard that it is loud, and I gotta say that a 5HP DC is going to be very loud.  

[Beechwood Chip]

On 11/19/2024 at 8:29 PM, Mark J said:

I have also heard good things about the Supercell.  I've also heard that it is loud, and I gotta say that a 5HP DC is going to be very loud.  

I wear hearing protection in the shop, and I've given up on keeping things quiet.  So far, the neighbors haven't complained.

The Supercell is interesting.  Higher static pressure but lower CFM.  But, with my ducting, I may actually get better CFM with a system designed to suck air through narrow pipes.  And I'd save almost $1000 and a lot of hassle if I stick with my 4" ducts instead of going up to 6".

I do very occasionally run two 4" tools at the same time.  The docs say that the Supercell can't handle that.  I'm guessing that it's not optimal, but the Supercell Turbo wouldn't catch fire and explode. 

[Beechwood Chip]

Hmmm, there's also the Harvey GYRO AIR G-700.  Less expensive and more quiet.  I seem to recall a couple Youtubers tried it out and eventually went back to more conventional DCs.  I'll have to find out why.

[EDIT] After doing some searching, the main problems with the Harvey is that the bins are smaller and need to be emptied more often, It's got a big footprint (but you can put things on top of it), the inlet at floor level in the front can be annoying depending on your shop layout, and cleaning out the fine dust that gets past the separator can be awkward (again, depending on your shop layout).

I think it might be a win for me in my oddly shaped basement shop.

[wtnhighlander]

I've seen a lot of good reviews on tbe Harvey unit also, but pushed it out of mind because the footprint won't work for me. I'll be interested in hearing your experience, if you choose that route.

[Beechwood Chip]

On 11/19/2024 at 10:40 PM, wtnhighlander said:

I've seen a lot of good reviews on tbe Harvey unit also, but pushed it out of mind because the footprint won't work for me. I'll be interested in hearing your experience, if you choose that route.

According to their website, it's $1000 off right now.  No indication of when that might change.  Soooo tempting to make an impulse purchase!

[Mark J]

Doesn't @JohnG run a Harvey DC?

[legenddc]

On 11/19/2024 at 10:59 PM, Beechwood Chip said:

According to their website, it's $1000 off right now.  No indication of when that might change.  Soooo tempting to make an impulse purchase!

I think Harvey pricing changes daily, if not hourly.

[Beechwood Chip]

On 11/20/2024 at 9:30 AM, legenddc said:

I think Harvey pricing changes daily, if not hourly.

Crap, I hate being manipulated by marketing, but I may need to hit the "buy" button on this. 

I have a question in to them and I'm waiting for a reply.  I use the iVac system to turn my DC on and off.  With the "computerized" soft start and power levels, I'm concerned that the Gyro can't be controlled this way.  That *might* be a deal breaker for me.

[Beechwood Chip]

On 11/20/2024 at 9:40 AM, Beechwood Chip said:

I have a question in to them and I'm waiting for a reply.  I use the iVAC system to turn my DC on and off.  With the "computerized" soft start and power levels, I'm concerned that the Gyro can't be controlled this way.  That *might* be a deal breaker for me.

iVAC has a gizmo that will learn a DC's remote RF signal to control it.  Their tech support confirms that it works with the Gyro.  I'm going to take several deep breaths before pulling the trigger.

[drzaius]

There is a thread over on Sawmill Creek where a couple of members with the G-700 discuss their experiences. The lowdown is that they are good within a fairly narrow set of parameters. It definitely is not a replacement for a 5HP collector. I'd read up thoroughly before buying.

[Beechwood Chip]

On 11/20/2024 at 3:36 PM, drzaius said:

There is a thread over on Sawmill Creek where a couple of members with the G-700 discuss their experiences. The lowdown is that they are good within a fairly narrow set of parameters. It definitely is not a replacement for a 5HP collector. I'd read up thoroughly before buying.

Thanks, but too late.  I will read up though.  If it's bad enough, I may eat the cancellation charge.

[JohnG]

On 11/20/2024 at 9:14 AM, Mark J said:

Doesn't @JohnG run a Harvey DC?

I do have one, and I have been happy with it. I bought it because it's unique form factor works well in my shop. 

I have not used it with my lunchbox planer much. I don't use the planer too often, and when I do I often take it outside and let the chips fly (I have a basement shop, and while most tool sounds don't carry through the house too well, lunchbox planer noise is something special). For my table saw, bandsaws, 6" jointer, and drum sander, it works well. My main DC run is only about 20' or so of 4" PVC but has a few turns in it. I do also occasionally run a 20' 2.5" flex line to my oscillating sander and for general cleanup. I have blast gates at most machines and I'm a solo shop, so only one machine running at a time.

I upgraded from a 2hp Harbor Freight DC with Wynn filter. I noticed a big improvement when I got the G700. But I don't know if it's fair to compare it with a 5hp Dust Gorilla. I have no idea how it would compare to a typical 3hp cyclone. Or how well it will perform in a bigger shop with longer runs.

I bought the G700 at a similar price to the current sale price, and I would personally buy it again at the same price. As I've mentioned many times, Harvey price fluctuations are ridiculous. Please nobody buy anything at their "list price." 

[pkinneb]

I have been happy with my Onieda Dust Gorilla no issues in 15+ years

[Beechwood Chip]

Just installed my new Harvey G-700.  Taking a break before doing the ducting and hooking up the tools.

One surprise: the installation instructions say that it should be 18" away from the wall for heat dissipation.  It didn't say which side should be 18" away from the wall.  Either way, that makes an already large footprint even larger.

It was a job to get it off the pallet and down the hall into my shop.  But, I'll only have to do that once.

[JohnG]

Only the front (side with the intake and dust bin door) of mine has 18” clearance. I think that will only really make a difference in a commercial shop running all day long every day. 

[Beechwood Chip]

On 12/3/2024 at 4:45 PM, JohnG said:

Only the front (side with the intake and dust bin door) of mine has 18” clearance. I think that will only really make a difference in a commercial shop running all day long every day. 

Mine has empty space on the front and right, several inches on the back, and about 2" on the left side.  I figured I'd be fine since I don't run it continuously and my shop never gets very warm.

Thanks for the confirmation.

[Mark J]

Congratulations on the new arrival.