Can a 3D Printed Tool Free a Stuck Impeller? | Harbor Freight Dust Collector Wen Impeller Upgrade

In the process of swapping out my Harbor Freight dust collector's impeller for a 12" Wen version, I was met with an unyielding, stubborn impeller. After exhausting standard removal strategies and trying unsuccessfully to obtain a bearing puller through overnight delivery, I decided to make my own. The big question is: Can a 3D printed plastic part be strong enough to remove a tightly fitted impeller?
Whether you're an experienced woodworker or just interested in innovation, you'll find this episode enlightening, showcasing the potential for 3D printing in solving workshop challenges. I used Blender software for the digital design and a Bambu X1 Carbon for the printing.
My Etsy shop: thesnekkershow.etsy.com
You can download the digital file for this and my other 3d designs on printables: www.printables.com/@SnekkerSh...
Tools and supplies related to this video:
Impeller: wenproducts.com/products/3403...
Bearing puller kit: amzn.to/3Qb67jh
DeWalt 20V cutoff tool (tool only): amzn.to/30DxTAb
DeWalt 20V angle grinder with battery: amzn.to/3F7EtxP
LENOX diamond cutting wheel: amzn.to/3mb49C8
Klein CL800 clamp meter: amzn.to/3ieWwY8
Klein 69409 Line Splitter: amzn.to/2N9yKBD
Klein CL120 Kit: amzn.to/3bNMa02
Proster Handheld Anemometer: amzn.to/3B07gly
Blender software: www.blender.org/download/
Printer: us.store.bambulab.com/collect...
Chapters
0:00 The problem
1:38 The solution?
4:09 First test
5:38 Second test
8:08 Design update
10:32 Third test
12:06 What broke?
13:10 Now what do I do?
15:46 New impeller removal and installation
18:30 Conclusion
#3DPrinting #HarborFreight #DustCollectionUpgrade #WorkshopHacks #Woodworking #ImpellerRemoval
This video is not sponsored. I paid for everything and used my own time. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission if you use the Amazon links to make a purchase.

[@Otto-W]

To get my impeller off I use a stick and pocket screws, nut and a bolt. I used pocket screws because the flat head could hook underneath the impeller. The nut and bolt was in the center, I turned the bolt until the impeller came free. It wasn't a great solution but it was free. I've been using the WEN impeller for a while. Sometimes the blower struggles on start up it can pop the breaker but it's been a good upgrade.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

That's kind of what I tried at first. I used machine screws and ground a slight radius on the head to get more surface area on the impeller.

[@appliedmartialsciences5201]

Stepping up the game. Awesome.

[@gilbertbland7386]

You can go to your local auto place and pick up I mini gear puller for less than $20 that will work just fine - that's how I pulled mine when I switched to the 12 impeller. You can also hit it with the torch.... As for the increased power draw, I was also concerned about that, but as it turns out, it only spikes about 5% more on the initial start-up. I have my system on a dedicated 20 amp circuit and have had no problems.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

That's basically what I made with the plywood. Something like that could have worked fine if the impeller wasn't on so tight. I'm not how true it is, but I recall reading somewhere that the older models fit a lot tighter than the newer ones.

[@appliedmartialsciences5201]

Plus the music. NOICE!

[@TheLukemcdaniel]

It's also well known that each sub project spawns off 3 sub projects, which each in turn spawn off their own 3, etc etc

[@AndyCallaway]

Projectception... 😄

[@quantumleap8888]

I was really rooting for that puller to work for you on the original impeller. A little advice for the next time you encounter a stuck component, HEAT. Use a blow torch and then spray in some penetrating oil. I fell like you would of been successful.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

That's what had me baffled: I did that multiple times over several days using Liquid Wrench penetrating oil. I heated it with a torch, cooled it with upside-down canned air, vibrated it with a hammer - That thing should have come loose.

[@griinder]

Ugh I went through this stuck impeller thing all day yesterday. What a pain!!! Your puller is a cool idea.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Hopefully, you got it to come loose without having to cut

[@uther10]

Great project and great editing! Totally sucks on that shipping.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Thank you

[@mikedurkee7296]

my frankenstein harbor freight two stage dust collector looks a LOT like yours.... oh that's right I absolutely modeled mine after yours... hoping that I don't have to ever take off the impeller. I thought you were done with the dust collection series... 😂Thanks again! and I do want to add a window to my garbage can... only time mine has ever failed is when I let it get too full. Also, the bag has a tendency to want to come undone from that metal band (also known as a long razor blade-don't ask me how I know that)

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I think that's usually how my filter gets caked up. It doesn't happen often, but I've let the can fill all the way a few times.

[@davefarrell5014]

I have not watched your entire video yet will in a minute. I do not have a 3D printer but I rented a 3 jaw puller from an auto parts store. Promptly broke the flanges off the hub also. So I have been using a 90 dremel cut off wheel, and a 4.5 inch angle grinder with a cut off wheel on it. Right now I am down to cutting off the impeller so I can cut the hub in half to get it off. I have discovered that mine is rusted around the shaft so will not move at all. Now back you watching how you get yours off.

[@TheHooty505]

Just ran into this same issue ended up breaking the top ring as well, however i had bought the 3 leg puller set from harbor freight the biggest one was big enough to grip the rim of the blades. I tightened it until i could barely move it then heated up the cast iron part with a torch and sure enough the Damn thing popped right off!

[@johngalanes5264]

As the wise old surgeon said " when in doubt, cut it out" :)

[@tompatrick9070]

Love your vids.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@wesandell]

While using a 3d printed part worked, I'm going to refer you to your comment in your Shelix install video regarding the snap ring pliers. Right tool for the right job. While my local Lowes didn't have a bearing puller, my local Rural King did and it made it a breeze to remove the impeller. I'll admit, it wasn't cheap, if I remember it was like $40-50. However, it was the right tool for the right job and it worked flawlessly and the impeller came right out. If you live near farming supply stores, they often have those obscure tools that Lowes or Home Depot do not have and you won't have to wait for Amazon.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

In my case, I think the 3d printed part was a more suitable tool since it was custom sized for the impeller. A one-size-fits-most puller would have been more likely to apply uneven pressure and break the impeller faster. Mine wasn't sliding off either way, but I have some ideas for how to address that in a future version.

[@SaintFredrocks]

I have no 3-d printer (yet) so I went to Harbor Freight armed with a 25% off coupon, and got a puller for under $20. I consider that a win. Woo Hooo!.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

Watching this is déjà vu, for me, however I purchased a fan blade puller and it made that challenge a piece of cake. I have used it several times changing the fans on several HVAC motors. I bought the Rikon impeller I fir perfectly I forget the dimensions. I did take and amp readings with an ampprobe with the old fan and the new fan. Yes the new fan did draw more current as is expected. I do not recall amperage difference but is was not excessive. The air flow was substantially better. I will say I am at 2000 feet MSL where you are closer to 100 foot above mean sea level. This means your impeller is in mor dense air thus the current draw will be higher than what I draw. I used the same coupling to connect to connect the exhaust to the ring where the plastic bag was on the bottom and on the top I installed a Wynn Environmental 0.5 micron filter. On the suction side I made a coupling out of sheet metal that connected to a supper dust Deputy cyclone. For the dust bin I used a 35 gallon plastic drum that sat on Plywood using two google clamps to raise and lower the dust bin. It works great for me and I am using 5 inch ducting and blast gates. I will say if you use 6 inch duct your velocity will suffer greatly and the heavier chip is fall out of suspension creating a clog at some point. I built this Franklin sucker about 7 years ago. 😁🛫

[@joedance14]

Thank-you for an interesting video. What kind of puller were you planning to use to remove the stock impeller?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

It was a 3-jaw puller.

[@phish64209]

My reverse hex bolt got lost, does anyone know what size I should get?

[@williamfitzer4805]

How much does this impeller weigh? The Rikon impeller weighs 7.8#

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I'm not sure, but that's about what it felt like. I'm tempted to try printing all or part of an impeller to see if the reduced weight makes it more efficient. Since it's a two-stage collector now, I don't have to worry about it impacting large chips.

[@philshock3805]

To prevent the 3D puller from tearing apart, instead of screws what about using bolts (1/4-20?) that go all the way through the piece that's secured on each end? You might have still had to go through the process of cutting the impeller off, but the bolts would pretty much guarantee the puller wouldn't come apart. That's my theory anyway ... lol

[@TheSnekkerShow]

That would certainly do it. I think the latest version with the layers running in a different direction is going to make the screws unnecessary, though. If you look closely at the lines in the cross section, it would be more likely to shear off the ring first, which would take a great deal of force.

[@dangkolache]

Did the new impellor change the sound level/characteristics of the collector? I'm already afraid I'm making enemies with my neighbor (though she says she doesn't mind it), if it gets too much louder I might be SOL until I can replace my garage door with a solid wall (detached shop, not a garage, otherwise I wouldn't consider it)

[@TheSnekkerShow]

It's slightly louder, but I didn't measure it. Not ear-splitting, but it does sound a little different.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

After my mod I was reading 78 DB at 6 foot as a standard distance for measuring DB from a source. The frequency was lower however. Where the old chip bag hung previously I cut another bag about 6 inches in length and attached it where the old chips fell. That plast being shorter decreases the DB level as well. 😁🛫

[@AndyCallaway]

Who else noticed the old impeller was back to front?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

This guy

[@jamesbrunk9817]

Get out the big hammer!

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

Using the old impeller cover is going to cause a lot of parasitic drag. I opened mine up by making a new cover plate out of MDF and mounting a 5 inch HVAC flange duct that connected directly to the five inch Supper Dust Deputy. Using the old one defeats the purpose of having a larger impeller. If you open that up your CFM will be much better as well as velocity of air flow. You have a major choke point at that old cover.😁🛫

[@TheSnekkerShow]

This is true. I'm still happy with my 250 CFM increase.