DC3300 Maintenance and Repair

letterk · Post by **letterk** » Fri May 18, 2012 10:18 am

I have a newly acquired DC3300. Long story is I think I got a great deal on an older collector. Wasn't sure how much I wanted to spend on an 1989 model, but the guy sold it to me for $40. Figure I couldn't loose at that price.

It does need some work though. The foam seals fall apart with the slightest touch, in fact they feel like saw dust. The top felt bag also seems really dusty so I'm guessing the 7 micron rating is probably not true any more.

So from reading posts and the exploded parts view, I understand that foam weatherstripping should be put around the back vent in a square shape to fill the top gap in the housing and in a circle around the inlet. Any particular size weatherstripping, 1"? Since I'm looking for a complete seal, should I add duct tape or a plastic adhesive strip like they sell for caulking around tubs?

Also, bag wise, I wouldn't mind purchasing a bigger, better rated bag, but I'm weary about spending double what I did on the unit. I do need to buy some couplers, twist-on hose connector and elbows and Grizzly seems the cheapest. Not that I'm adverse to spending money with Shopsmith, but with shipping the 42" bag is approaching $90 and I've spent too much money on this hobby in the last two months.

Grizzley has this one, it is 19.5" x 33" tall. http://www.grizzly.com/products/2-5-Mic ... ries/G5556

Anyone know the size of the SS bag or tried a retrofit with another brand of bag?

Also, is there any maintenance besides a good cleaning that I should do. And since I bought a Rockler Dust Right Separator, can I use it with the DC3300 or will it slow down the airflow too much? It would be nice not to have to empty to DC3300 so much.

Thanks everyone in advance.

danscot · Post by **danscot** » Fri May 18, 2012 5:39 pm

You are exactly where I was last weekend - I decided to open my DC3300 to clean it out before I start using it. Beware! ... once you get to the rotted foam you've just got to keep going (or is that just me?

). So I ended up with this: (and then I took the wheels off too!)

[ATTACH]17412[/ATTACH]

The good news is, I got it all back together again & it sucks - really well!

I scraped off the old foam seal - the foam just crumbles but the adhesive is really high quality:mad:. I tried softening it with heat with little success & eventually just scraped it away carefully with an old chisel. I used a mild solvent to get the last of the sticky off & washed that off with lots of water. Hopefully before any damage was done to the plastic! I left the one strip on the Main Housing at the joint with the top of the motor housing (see note below).

Then I applied 2 parallel strips of 1/4" square draught/draft* excluder foam where the old foam had been. It's done the job perfectly (might even have got away with a single strip) & I've now got a nice clean vacuum that works well. I used 1/4" width purely because that's what the store had!

[ATTACH]17413[/ATTACH]

I should mention that I used another vacuum to clean out the inside of the DC3300 & the filter hood which was thickly caked in dust; I couldn't see anything that would need maintenance apart from that. After re-assembling I started it up outdoors - a wise move considering the cloud of dust that came off the hood!:eek:

BTW, the hood can be washed - cold water hand or machine. Air dry.

The only problem I found was that, for some reason, the 2 self tapping screws that pull the motor housing down onto the main body (pt no. 515137, 21 on exploded drawing) were not present so the main body to motor housing seal is not perfect; I've temporarily sealed that with packing tape until I get the right screws. Anyone know the size?

*UK/US translation

algale · Post by **algale** » Fri May 18, 2012 7:32 pm

letterk wrote: Also, bag wise, I wouldn't mind purchasing a bigger, better rated bag, but I'm weary about spending double what I did on the unit.

The big 42 inch/1 micron Shopsmith filter hood (actually made by American Filter Fabric, I believe) is really worth it in my opinion. My DC3300 (bought used) came with the standard 12 inch/7 micron filter. My shop is in my basement and after running the DC3300 there would be a covering of dust everywhere in the shop. The upgraded hood has made a huge difference. By the time you finish rigging up something else, you will probably spend as much retrofitting something else. You got a great deal on the unit, now spend the $ on the hood. You won't be disappointed.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri May 18, 2012 11:54 pm

I got my 'weather stripping' from SS.

Already cut to size!:D

Pretty reasonable as I recall.

I think the dust right separator should work, but will reduce static pressure slightly(similar to longer hoses/joints/etc.).

letterk · Post by **letterk** » Fri May 18, 2012 11:56 pm

So I take it the big thing is to seal the dust collection chamber from the motor. Basically, keep the dust in the collection chamber and the motor sealed off so no dust gets in. I take it the vents on the back allow for fresh air and cooling to the motor.

I'm hoping to get a chance to get it outside and clean it up this weekend. I"ll blow out the motor while it is running.

Algale - I don't doubt the Shopsmith hood is great. Truth is wtih Shopsmith everything I've seen is very high quality. They don't skimp at all, but you do pay for the quality and the lower volume.

Does it come with the rod and mounting brackets too? Looking at the Grizzly catalog, I'm guessing the medium hood would be more likely a better replacement and it is about the equivalent size to the 24" hood. It also has a smaller diameter too. Since I'm already paying shipping, it would be $21, versus Shopsmiht being $50 (or about $60 with shipping).

Truthfully, I'll probably just live with the current hood at this point.

letterk · Post by **letterk** » Sat May 19, 2012 12:00 am

JPG40504 wrote:I got my 'weather stripping' from SS.

Already cut to size!:D

Pretty reasonable as I recall.

I think the dust right separator should work, but will reduce static pressure slightly(similar to longer hoses/joints/etc.).

It doesn't look to expensive from the catalog. I think maybe $5-$6 for all 3 pieces, but I just need to have more items to make it worth the shipping.

Any things I should watch out for with the DC3300?

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat May 19, 2012 12:05 am

letterk wrote:It doesn't look to expensive from the catalog. I think maybe $5-$6 for all 3 pieces, but I just need to have more items to make it worth the shipping.

Any things I should watch out for with the DC3300?

Do not allow chunks of wood to get sucked in. The impeller can get damaged.

algale · Post by **algale** » Sat May 19, 2012 12:24 am

letterk wrote: Does it come with the rod and mounting brackets too?

Yes, when you buy the Shopsmith 42 inch hood it comes with the rod and mounting bracket and screws and a template for locating the bracket. A very easy retrofit.

derekdarling · Post by **derekdarling** » Sat May 19, 2012 1:05 am

danscot wrote:...
Then I applied 2 parallel strips of 1/4" square draught/draft* excluder foam ...

*UK/US translation

As a Canadian, I naturally understand both spellings. That is why I can take a draught of my draft beer, which, being Canadian beer, has actual taste (this last bit is sure to start a flame war hee hee)!

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat May 19, 2012 1:01 pm

derekdarling wrote:As a Canadian, I naturally understand both spellings. That is why I can take a draught of my draft beer, which, being Canadian beer, has actual taste (this last bit is sure to start a flame war hee hee)!

How about Molson?;)