Frequently asked questions

Cyclone filters

Cyclone filter systems separate dust by generating a vacuum inside the dustbin. Due to this underpressure, the dust is sucked in via the side inlet of the cyclone filter. Because the cyclone filter has a rotated inside, it pushes the dust outwards to the inner walls. This phenomenon is also centrifugal force. Because there is a vacuum in the dustbin, the rotating dust is pulled down. The centrifugal forces and the vacuum create a miniature cyclone and thus separate the dust from the air. Because the dust is heavier than the air, only the dust will be drawn to the bottom of the dustbin. The cleaner air (up to 99% cleaner) leaves the filter system through the top outlet.

Please see the page Filter Choice.

A cyclone filter can be used for all types of work where dust is generated. Cyclone filters can be used with sanders, mitre saws, table saws, routers, wall grinders, floor grinders, CNC routers, sand blasting cabinets, and drilling machines to name just a few. Just as long the dust has some weight it will filter just fine. Therefor, ashes from a fireplace won’t filter properly because it has no weight to it. Click on the ‘Application’ tab or click here for more information.

Cyclone filters can filter up to 99% of all the dust. For example, you replace twice a month the vacuum bag which totals to 24 bags a year. With the use of a cyclone filter you only need to change the bag once every 4 years.

The performance of a cyclone filter depends (among other things) on the type of dust being filtert. We have tested cyclone filter model 3 and it can filter 96% of the dust that is generated by milling in mdf board. (Dust from milling in MDF board  has the structure of very fine baking powder.) A filter performance of 96% would mean for the example mentioned above that you don’t have to change the vacuum bag twice a month but only once a year.

A cyclone filter system that is not working properly can have two causes:

  • The underpressure in the collection vessel is not correct.
  • The dust is too light and therefore cannot be drawn to the container.

In 95% of the cases, the cause is a vacuum inside the dustbin that is too low. This can be for a number of reasons:

  • The suction power of the vacuum machine is not strong enough to generate the necessary basic vacuum pressure. This is usually only the case when the filter of the vacuum cleaner is clogged or if the vacuum cleaner motor is no longer functioning properly.
  • There is an air leak in the filter system. Consider, for example, a lid that does not close properly, a gap between the base of the filter and the lid, or there is an air leak somewhere in the hose.

If you have a filter system with a anti-crush pressure valve, poor performance may be due to the vacuum valve opening too often. For a cyclone filter system to work properly, the anti-crush pressure valve must remain closed during normal use, otherwise dust will still end up in the vacuum cleaner. A valve that opens continuously is a sign that A. the spring resistance isn’t set correctly or B. the negative pressure is too high (for example, because dust is being sucked through a dust port that is too small). In those cases, a number of things can be done:

  • Tighten the adjustment nut to increase the spring resistance. Turn the adjustment nut with a maximum of two rotations each time and then test the system. This prevents the pressure valve from being adjusted too tightly causing the valve not to open in a timely manner and thereby crushing the dustbin. For our blue dustbins the adjustment nut should be set slightly below the center of the threaded portion of the bolt.
  • Lower the suctions power of the vacuum cleaner. Not too low, because there must be a basic vacuum pressure in the dustbin for proper operation.
  • Use a nozzle with variable air inlet, for example our Pro-X nozzle. The nozzle can admit air from the outside by means of a slide, which reduces the vacuum pressure.
  • Use a shorter hose on the side inlet of the filter. A hose creates air resistance: the longer the hose, the greater the air resistance. Greater air resistance creates greater a vacuum pressure.
  • Use a hose on the side inlet of the filter with a larger inner diameter and a larger nozzle. As a result, more air can flow through the system which reduces the vacuum pressure.
  • Reduce the number of bends in the hose that is attached to the side inlet of the filter. Every bend creates air resistance and thereby a greater vacuum pressure.

If you want to use a filter system with anti-crush pressure valve on machines whose dust port has an inner diameter smaller than 30mm and you do not have a vacuum cleaner with adjustable suction power, then we recommend using a nozzle with variable air inlet, for example our Pro-X nozzle. Smaller dust ports will cause excessive vacuum pressure, causing the valve to open continuously.

Hoses

Our hoses differ in five respects: (1) maximum air flow, (2) flexibility, (3) robustness, (4) durability and (5) grounding capabilities.

1) Maximum air flow:

Hoses with a larger diameter can handle a bigger airflow than hoses with a smaller diameter. There are three starting points for determining the required diameter:

  1. The longer the hose, the larger the inner diameter of the hose must be. By extending the hose, the air resistance also increases. With very long hoses, this can lead to a reduction of suction power. This will be less of an issue when the inner diameter of the hose is bigger.
  2. The greater the power of the vacuum cleaner, the bigger the inner diameter of the hose must be. All vacuum cleaner engines have a predetermined amount of air that needs to pass through. A hose that is too narrow will prevent enough air going through. Not only does this result in reduced suction power, but also resulting in the risk over overheating the vacuum engine and more wear and tear of the engine.
  3. More bends in a hose will require a hose with a larger inner diameter. Bends causes air resistance resulting in lower suction power. When the inner diameter is bigger there will be less air resistance due to a bend in the hose.

More information on dust collectors and types of hoses can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NmMoIYIsr8

There will always be a loss in suction power because generating the required underpressure in the dustbin requires suction power. We have put the 5 meter 32mm hose to the test and our tests show that 75% to 80% of the suction power remains. More than enough for a cyclone filter system to function perfectly.  If you want to reduce the lose of suction power to a minimum then you can opt for a hose with an inner diameter of 38mm or even 50mm depending on the power of your vacuum machine.

2) Flexibility:

A flexible hose is needed when you are using, for example, a sanding machine, or handheld router. These activities require a hose that does not interfere with the movement of the machine. All hoses have an indication of their degree of flexibility: 1/5 = stiff | 5/5 = extremely flexible.

  • The standard hose (inner diameter 32mm) is a flexible hose and is suitable for work where the hose must be able to move easily: 4/5.
  • The Industrial hose (inner diameter 38mm) is a flexible hose and is suitable for stationary machines and work where maximum movability isn’t a requirement: 3/5.
  • The Superflex hose (inner diameter 50mm) is an extremely flexible hose and can bend effortlessly in all directions: 5/5.

3) Robustness:

  • The standard hose is a sturdy and flexible hose. The flexibility of the hose is due to the fact that it does not have a reinforcing metal spiral. If the vacuum hose is being stepped on, it will be pressed in but will return to its original form.
  • The Industrial hose is a sturdy and flexible hose. The flexibility of the hose is due to the fact that it does not have a reinforcing metal spiral. If the vacuum hose is being stepped on, it will be pressed in but will return to its original form.
  • The Superflex hose has a reinforcing copper spiral and is therefore very strong and extremely flexible. It’s the most flexible hose we have.

4) Sustainability:

If abrasive material needs to be filtered then hoses with smooth inner walls are recommended. The thicker the walls of the hose, the longer it will last.

  • The standard hose has smooth inner walls (thickness 0.8mm).
  • The Industrial hose has smooth inner walls (thickness 1mm).
  • The Superflex  hose has slightly ribbed inner walls (thickness 0.55mm).

5) Grounding capabilities:

Where dust is being sucked up, there is a chance that static electricity will be generated. This is caused by dust rubbing against the inside walls of, for example, a vacuum hose or filter thereby creating friction. This friction gives the dust a different electrical charge than the surface on which it rubs. The extent to which static electricity is built up highly dependents on the material that is being sucked up. For example, sucking up plastic chips generates more static electricity than, for example, your ordinary wood chips.

  • The standard hose cannot be grounded.
  • The Industrial hose cannot be grounded.
  • The Superflex hose can be grounded because it has a copper spiral.

We have tested multiple vacuum machines (Festool, Bosch, and standard household machines) and the loss of suction power is between 15% and 20%. More than enough suction power remains for a cyclone filter system to function perfectly. Even with most standard household vacuum cleaners there is more then enough suction power left.

Yes, that is possible. If your hose does not have a connector that fits the 50mm opening of the filter, then please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

In most cases it is possible. The Universal Coupling Hose can be used to connect your vacuum machine to the top entrance of a filter system. This allows you to continue to use your own hose on your tools. For more information, see the Universal Coupling Hose page.

Vacuum machines

Yes, that is possible. Even with a standard household vacuum cleaner, a cyclone filter system will work very well. Professional vacuum machines will work even better since they can generate a greater underpressure which pulls the dust better to the bottom of the dustbin.

The vacuum nozzle at the end of the hose of your vacuum machine is inserted in the top opening of the filter. The top opening has an inner diameter of 50mm. Most hose nozzles have an outside diameter between 32mm and 40mm. This means that the top opening needs to be reduced which can be done with the use of a rubber reducer. There are two versions: reducer model M (’50mm>32mm to 34mm’) and reducer model L (’50mm>35mm to 40mm’). Both can be found here.

If you order a cyclone filter set then both reducers are included so that all vacuum nozzles ranging from 32mm to 40mm can be connected to the top opening of the cyclone filter.

Dustbins

The type of dustbin that is most suitable for your needs depends on four things: (a) the power of the (professional) vacuum machine and the inner diameter of the dust port, (b) the type of dust being filtered, (c) the amount of dust being filtered, and (d) the type of cyclone filter that will be used.

a) (Professional) vacuum machine and inner diameter dust port:

Do you have a powerful vacuum machine (Festool, Makita, Bosch blue, etc.) and does dust needs to flow through a relatively narrow dust port (smaller than 30mm)? Then a metal dustbin is recommended. Powerful (professional) vacuum machines generate a high negative pressure inside the dustbin. If the airflow is cut off by a too narrow dust port, then the motor of the vacuum machine will continue to operate at full speed, resulting in an even greater negative pressure inside the dustbin. This can cause a plastic dustbin to collapse. Metal dustbins are therefor more suitable for that kind of application.

b) Type of dust:

For example, if large wood chips are sucked up, the 30 liter dustbin will quickly become full, because large wood chips do not compress well. In those cases, the 60 liter metal dustbin would be the best solution.

c) The amount of dust:

Some work releases more dust than others. Milling sheets of MDF, for example, generates a lot of dust. The 30 liter and 32 liter dustbins would need to be emptied quite often.

d) Type of cyclone filter:

Cyclone filter model 3 can be mounted onto the 30 liter, 32 liter and the 60 liter metal dustbins. A metal filter with its grounding capabilities is almost always mounted onto a metal dustbin, because a plastic dustbin would negatively affect the grounding capabilities. The L filter and XL filter are too big to be mounted onto the 30 liter dustbin. The 60 liter metal dustbin would be the best option.

That is possible, but a dustbin larger than 60 liters is not recommended in most cases. A 60 liter dustbin can become quite heavy (depending on the type of dust collected). Larger dustbins can be become so heavy that they cannot be emptied easily.

Metal dustbins:

Some metal dustbins require an anti-crush valve. These are dustbins that a. have thin walls, b. have no reinforcement rings and c. are higher than they are wide. All our metal dustbins are very strong and do not require an anti-crush valve.

Plastic dustbins:

We have tested a large part of the plastic dustbins on the market. Also the ones advertised as ‘ultra strong’. And while some plastic dustbins are stronger than others, our tests have shown that small dust ports in combination with normal 32mm vacuum cleaner hoses will cause plastic dustbins to colapse.

That is why we have designed an anti-crush valve specifically for plastic dustbins and weak metal dustbins. All our filter systems with plastic dustbins are supplied with an anti-crush valve.

General

Orders placed on business days before 6 pm are prepared for shipment in the evening, so that they are shipped the next business day. In most cases you will receive your order within two business days.

You can find the shipping costs and delivery times on this page.

Yes, we have! You can find them on our Bol.com page.

When you have placed an order, a confirmation email will be sent automatically. Did you not receive it? It may have ended up in the spam folder.

When your order is ready to ship, you will automatically receive an order update. You will also receive an email from one of our carriers (PostNL, DHL and DPD) containing the shipping information for your order. Did you not receive it? The email may have ended up in the spam folder.