Harbor Freight dust collector: 1 year later

On this video we take a look at the Harbor Freight dust collector after a year of use and talk about all the upgrades, lessons learned, and answer some of the questions from the original video
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Original Dust collector upgrade video
• Harbor Freight Dust Co...
Original mounting of the dust collector
• Harbor Freight dust co...
Oneida Super Dust Deputy
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Donaldson P181038 air filter
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Wen Turbo Fan 3403-022
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5 inch hose from Grizzly
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Power meter
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unistrut Trolley
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Table the CNC is on
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Laptop table mount
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[@BelleChasseHome]

Thank you for your REAL EXPERIENCE sharing. Im about to mount my HF dust collector on the wall too. Im still not sure about the impeller upgrade. I am mounting next to my breaker and I as I rewired my entire shop its easy to cut the drywall and run a 20 amp wire and outlet if needed. It seems EVERYONE is an EXPERT when it comes to dust collection too. At the end, I think its about EACH persons needs, risk, and cost. I run my shop as a startup business. Im retired too, so Its not MANDATORY with the stress. I can take the lost to build my shop right and take my time learning which many dont have the opportunity to do. I appreciate you HONESTY too, and keeping things REAL. Blessings.

[@builtforlife]

I agree everyone has different needs, and while the impeller did increase airflow it’s not a must. The dust collector still moves plenty of air with the factory one, and if the factory one doesn’t end up meeting your needs you can always go back and change it. If you have an Instagram for your business send me a message on instagram and i will follow.

[@eriorellana89]

i love how you edit in the real world struggles we all face sometimes.

[@builtforlife]

Thanks.

[@yamlcase230]

no kidding! that sucker is HEAVY.

[@larryshreve9076]

10/10 on the trolley 🏆

[@builtforlife]

Thank you!!!

[@gunslinger8718]

Very nice setup with the unistrut and the trolley for the flex hose. I have larger area but may use that idea! Good video.

[@builtforlife]

Thank you so much!

[@alanrichardson7244]

I added a donut baffle in the top of my filter side and a theine baffle on the bottom to try and prevent the thin dust sneaking up into my filter and the theine baffle traps the light dust in the bag. For my elevator I used the cranks off two pipe clamps welded to an angle bar. I shortened the pipes and attached them with collars to the base. It raises and lowers my barrel very well and seals it up under my cycline ring. My theine baggie is in the lid of the barrel.

[@WackeyWorxWorkshop]

Great video guy. Thank you for putting out your content. I did something similar to mine and is on my channel. It takes a lot to put out these videos and I understand the amount of effort that you have put in. Great job.

[@builtforlife]

Thank you so much … it’s a steep learning curve on the recording and editing side.

[@WackeyWorxWorkshop]

@@builtforlife well if you never like to discuss, I'm always open to it

[@mikeconroy2651]

Great info! I just bought that dust collector used and that is what lead me to your initial video. In designing what I had and how I wanted to lay it out, it is essentially very similar to your system layout in this video, although it's going to be portable, so it will look more like a tall Laguna Pflux. Like you, I worry about the Wen impeller weight (haven't added it yet but most likely will) But I worry more about turning the motor on its end because I worry that the armature weight + the impeller weight will wear out some thrust washer as the motor didn't have that kind of downward loading of weight applied when the shaft was oriented horizontally. I have a couple questions. As I said, my order of components is similar to yours except the old filter/bag round piece (separator) will be my inlet and the motor/blower will mount on top of that, where you now have the filter. I'll extend the motor fan inlet about 6 to 8" down, past the round concave baffle and just slightly beneath the inlet port, to make that separator function more like a cyclone would. So, that's stage one. Then stage two is the fan outlet feeds the inlet of my super dust deputy. The bottom outlet of the dust deputy will have a 1-to-3-gallon bucket on the bottom of it for fine dust and then a filter or filter box on the dust deputy top discharge port. The question is; just how much dust are you are actually accumulating in your second and 3rd stage ( the bag and filter)? You have a 3-stage system as you have installed it (cyclone/separator/filter) so I'm curious what and how much material actually makes it through to the 3rd stage. I may not need a filter with that much surface area if not much gets through to there. I've seen people show the level of separation by starting with an empty system then sucking up a pile of debris. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience!

[@moonolyth]

I would avoid 90 elbows and use 45s. Nice job man. I built one too used PVC sewer pipe (no worries about static fires) and the Thein baffle. Also I got me an aluminum flap for clothes drier 6inch to run outside, rather than have a filter. Works great less pressure and less cleaning. The air always looks clean coming out. Now Im upgrading the unit, just found a new used unit for $100. Id say New really. I may make a cyclone this time.

[@builtforlife]

I tried to avoid turns as much as possible. For my little 2 car garage this thing has been a work horse. It will probably be running all weekend again... biggest issue i have is dumping the barrel which is a good problem to have.

[@jeffwilder7117]

So maybe a solve for the window blocking. Move the motor and cyclone to the left edge of the window, making sure the flex hose opening is lined up level with the filter opening. Then make the stand for the barrel at needed height. Take approximately 1’ of flex hose and hard pipe to connect the filter and DC. Less resistance, more window.

[@builtforlife]

Hey this is a great idea. I shouldn’t have rushed through that part. Now it is one annoying part of my shop.

[@joedance14]

Just took another look at this video, and … Documentation for my 2HP HF dust collector says it is rated at 20 amps. Just thought you would want to know. Finally got my motor/impeller mounted up on the wall. Used a game hoist - seems like they’re usually rated for about 1000 pounds. SO MUCH easier (and safer) than lifting it into place. Best wishes!

[@builtforlife]

Yeah patience has never been my strong suit and safety sometimes suffers. I’ll learn one day.

[@AgribusinessDR.G.]

I have heard that some people have had issues with the Wen impeller, not a perfect fit and caused noise.

[@builtforlife]

I didn't have any issues really. The initial amp draw is higher, but that is about it. If I did it all again I don't know if I would do it right out the gate again. I would probably get the system installed how I wanted it, and then decide if I need the extra flow.

[@davidketterer5519]

You could add a section of flexible hose between the barrel and the dust deputy. You would have to lower the barrel but then you could disconnect when emptying the barrel.

[@builtforlife]

That is a good idea… i have a plan for a lift that goes under the barrel but I’m real good at ignoring problems until they become to annoying to deal with. I will eventually fix this… the barrel not the ignoring issues thing.

[@davidbondi]

@@builtforlife Hi Joel. A few years ago I did a similar build up from the same 2 HP HF Dust Collector. Like you, I stacked the Motor/Blower on top of the Super Dust Deputy on top of a barrel (mine is a 30 gallon with the lock ring). My solution to remove the barrel was a small lift box underneath it powered by a $20 car scissor jack from amazon. I also made my own level sensor for maybe $50 in parts. If you are interested let me know and I can shoot you a few pictures.

[@cottagemail4066]

@@davidbondi I'd be interested in seeing that lift system! Any chance you have it posted somewhere?

[@joedance14]

Nice follow up! Glad to see things are going well. From what I have read or seen, the issue with residential metal ducting was allegedly that the seams face the wrong way. Never really understood why that should be a problem - just turn it around! But you apparently got it right. About the “circuit breaker” issue, residential circuit breakers are designed to allow for spikes well beyond their rated capacity; ie, a 15 amp circuit breaker will generally handle a momentary spike to 20 amps or more. A power strip is a completely different ballgame, as you found. There ARE some heavy duty power strips that are rated for 20 amps, should you so desire. Love the Unistrut & trolley setup. Unistrut used to be in the small town where I grew up; don’t know if they are still there. The father of a friend was the president of the company. Could you list the parts used? That would be helpful. Thanks! Happy holidays and stay safe!

[@builtforlife]

Thank you. This whole experience from CNC, to wood working to filming and KZbin has been an awesome learning experience I truly do appreciate the comments and interactions they make all the work that goes into this a lot more worth it. All the parts i used are linked in the description if there is something specific you are looking for let me know and i will get you the info.

[@joedance14]

@@builtforlife Thanks, I missed that.

[@jimginnyohio]

Nice. Where did you get your plastic barrel?

[@builtforlife]

I found it on FB market place it was a concrete mixing set that somebody was getting rid of.

[@kevinrose8568]

1000th subscriber.

[@builtforlife]

Can confirm you are the 1000th subscriber. Thank you so much I have been watching it all day to see who it would be. Such a huge milestone glad you are here.

[@willaimharrell6091]

If you can run that same motor on 220v you will use almost half the amperage. IF my reading is correct check on that & if my understanding is 😅 I would appreciate knowing 14:04 15:18 15:21

[@builtforlife]

I would like to say I’m schooled up on electricity to know the answer here but I am not. I am just planning on adding a 30 amp circuit to my garage and i think that will solve most of my problems.

[@MarkJonesRanger]

The Dust Deputy traps 99.9% of the dust in the barrel below it when that is not working correctly you have a leak between the Dust Deputy and the barrel below I see a lot of guys making a different containers but those l e a k that gets dust in your filter

[@builtforlife]

My set up has been great. The only time i have seen dust in the bag below the filter is when i let the barrel get way too full.

[@elkskiutah8204]

seems like lots of CFM loss would have been nice to measure at the cyclone to see the piping loss. Have you cleaned your filter yet? looks a bit hard to get up there for that.

[@builtforlife]

Haven’t cleaned it yet there is barely any dust in the bag. I’m sure a lot was lost with the cyclone but totally worth it to have the barrel collection. I just gotta figure out a way to monitor the fullness. It’s pretty easy to get to the filter though those turnbuckles tighten down plenty by hand.

[@elkskiutah8204]

@@builtforlife they make a level detector. it was like 170$ but I want to get one because my system will be in adjacent shed. amazon for 171$ Dust Sentry Bin Level Indicator made by Oneida

[@builtforlife]

Thanks I’m going to check this out for sure!

[@hasmukhvpatel4539]

how do you clean your filter /And how long does it Last?

[@builtforlife]

Every so often i spay it with the air hose and dust falls in the bag and i empty it. I should probably take it down and inspect it soon.

[@alanrichardson7244]

How mush dust collects in your filter? I run a sander and it really plugs up the filter.

[@builtforlife]

I haven’t cleaned the filter yet. I have blown it out and got little to no dust in the bag. Granted most of my sanding i use a shop vac with a hep filter and bag.

[@newt2010]

If it does everything you need, then. that is ALL that matters. Get it people that are pulling your hair out?

[@builtforlife]

Well its my own fault if you make a youtube video you have to understand people are going to tell you what they think. I'm right there with you though it does everything I need so i like it.

[@mannyfilmsinc]

the trolly idea: 100! where did you source it or did you make one?

[@builtforlife]

I got the strut at Home Depot and the trolley from amazon. hopefully this link will work below amzn.to/3VTdtNh

[@pete.marshman]

What is the barrel that you are using? Is it part of the cyclone?

[@builtforlife]

The barrel is just a 15 galling barrel with a clamp on sealed lid that i found on FB marketplace.

[@GeraldRahm]

What size Donaldson filter was used ?

[@builtforlife]

There is a link in the comments to the specific part number. Please let me know if it doesn't work.

[@Adam-h3b8k]

Im not sure if the filter linked is correct, the product dimensions are listed as Product Dimensions ‎12.2 x 12.2 x 8.27 inches which I dont think can be correct@@builtforlife

[@builtforlife]

I’ll check the link but the part number should be P181038

[@cottagemail4066]

What gauge are all your HVAC parts?

[@builtforlife]

I don’t know but if it helps i bought it all off the shelf a lowes and there’s not much variety there.

[@cottagemail4066]

@@builtforlife thanks!

[@ThierryC2373]

Do you know that you must ground to Earth the plastic and the metal piping to avoid any fire risk with the dust friction, you have no idea how explosive dusted environment can be. I've been a pro in woodworking and all dust collection pipes must be grounded to Earth in commercial workshops. The easiest way is to connect a copper cable to the metal pipes and use small sections with collars on the plastic connections.

[@builtforlife]

Well you have a good eye Sr. I have not grounded it yet. I am aware of the risks involved but like everything else I do I turned it into a learning experience. I have been watching the exterior to see if dust builds up. My plan was to see it build up then clean it ground it and see the difference. I have not accumulated any dust yet. I am keeping an eye on it though and Thank You for looking out for me.

[@SaltyWoodworking]

He does not have to ground his pvc lines. There is not a single documented case of pvc being the cause of a fire in a home setting. Industrial is completely different.

[@WackeyWorxWorkshop]

Did you know that? If you don't believe your doors open when a herd of elephants run through, you might get hurt cuz you won't see it coming... You have a nice day sir and thanks for watching his video.