What size dust collector?

[tz1238]

I've just completed setting up my CNC router. I made it from the plans at PDJ and built the Pilot Pro Ex. The router works perfectly, but makes a mess, so my next project is a dust collector. I've downloaded plans from
Wood Plans online for the cyclone unit. The two sizes I'm interested in are The 1 hp, 350-500 cfm with 4" inlet, or the 2 hp, 550-800 cfm with 6" inlet. Would the smaller one be enough for my CNC router? I like the fact that it has a 4" inlet and I would not have to reduce the size to the router. Also, my shop is cramped and a smaller size would be preferable. This dust collector will only be used on the router. Can anybody offer any insight to this? Thanks

[BobF]

The smaller is certainly better than no collector. If you have a good "shoe" for your router, it should work OK.
Of course I am a bigger is better fan, and my collector is 1.5 hp and 5" inlet. I got mine at HF and it has done fine for a couple years now. I added a canister filter in place of the top bag and use a poly bag for the bottom. The filter improved air flow noticeably.

[lovebugjunkie]

I went with a shop vac and mini cyclone. Still have to make a shoe for the router.
Also need to work on placement of the shop vac and cyclone.

I needed:

1. A support that goes over the router to support the vac hose.
2. A place to hang a spindle when not in use but still have it handy.
3. Wanted to use a shop vac on router but still available if needed for general use.
4. Past experience using a shop vac and hand router I had to clean the filter more often than I cared to. So less filter cleaning the better.
5. I wanted to use the small 1.5 inch vac hose to connect to the shoe mounted on the router.

Posted some comments and pics here: Romaxx

Got the mini cyclone here:
http://www.clearvuecyclones.com




My original idea was to order a 15-20 foot section of vac hose and support it or run it thru the PVC support. Since I already had three shorter sections of vac hose with the correct dimensions I thought I would see what I could make with the parts at hand and save a few $$ on getting a new longer vac hose. Turns out this mess works better then expected. Think I will keep it.

[wcarrothers1]

go to clearviewcyclones.com and check out what they got.

The designer has plans on his site (can't get that address just now) which would make a better collector then the Wood plans. That said I've had the wood plan collector for the better part of 8 years now (at least I think) and it does work. But I think making one based on the clear view plans would be many times better then the wood one.

b.