Hello, first post. Looking for some basic DC guidance. I've been doing a lot of reading (Bill Pentz's website) and everything I'm seeing says that I probably should be bigger than 4" ducts and that the HF motor/unit I have is garbage. I bought the HF unit a few years ago (used on CL) but it did come with the upgraded Rikon impeller. I've got a 25x25 2-car garage/shop with 2 bandsaws, ts, two RAS, planer, jointer, router table, etc. I also have a couple welders and some metal working stuff that's not part of the DC issue but I'll mention it because I've got a metal brake and can weld so fabrication isn't an issue at all. I think I've got a typical homeowner shop. Every once in a while she's out in the shop with me doing a project or maybe I've got a friend over and two machines get used at same time. That said, 99.9% of the time it's just me, one machine at a time and two dogs sitting at attention waiting for the off-cuts to fall to the floor.
My biggest concern is my health. My allergist told me to wear a respirator and get an air filtration system in place. Second to that, space/footprint and noise are the two other things I worry about. Reading Bill Pentz's website wasn't very encouraging that I could get what I want by modifying the HF unit --but also I wonder if modifying what I have will be night/day over what I've been using and therefore it'll make a difference.
Venting outside is not an option. Or, I REALLY don't want to vent outside. My garage is fully finished and insulated. I had issues with a single-vent rolling air conditioning unit and I know that I'd have big issues venting a DC outside. In addition to that, I'd like to add a vent hood over my welding table and put a HEPA filter on the back end of the DC so I can try and double-dip using it as DC as well as air filter when woodworking machines aren't on.
With all that said, I'm trying to decide if I want to fabricate a Pentz cyclone or if a Thien baffle will be just as good. Thanks.