My New 42 Inch Filter Hood Has A Zipper?

algale · Post by **algale** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:00 pm

When Shopsmith put the DC3300 and accessories on sale recently, I decided to upgrade to the 42 inch filter hood. I got around to installing it tonight. Messy job!

Here's the weird thing. The hood has a ... zipper. Runs vertically and is a little less than half height of the hood. There's a somewhat loose flap of filter material that seals the zipper from the inside. Presumably when the DC3300 is on and the hood inflates and is under pressure, the flap makes a tight seal??

Anyhow, I didn't see any documentation for this "feature" in the literature that came with the 42 inch hood or on Shopsmith's website. Does anyone else have a 42 inch hood with a zipper? What's it for???

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:11 pm

algale wrote:When Shopsmith put the DC3300 and accessories on sale recently, I decided to upgrade to the 42 inch filter hood. I got around to installing it tonight. Messy job!

Here's the weird thing. The hood has a ... zipper. Runs vertically and is a little less than half height of the hood. There's a somewhat loose flap of filter material that seals the zipper from the inside. Presumably when the DC3300 is on and the hood inflates and is under pressure, the flap makes a tight seal??

Anyhow, I didn't see any documentation for this "feature" in the literature that came with the 42 inch hood or on Shopsmith's website. Does anyone else have a 42 inch hood with a zipper? What's it for???

So ya kin take a shopvac and clean out the cake!:D

Seems weird to me since cake buildup is supposed to be 'good'.

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:19 pm

Actually, I like the "zipper". Dust and chips can accumulate on the side where the fan housing is closest to the hood. The openings where chips fall into the plastic bag can also become clogged. Every third or forth emptying of the plastic bag I unzip the hood and with a thin piece of wood, like a paint stirrer, I clean dust and chips from these areas. It's not as messy as one might think. I do it in my shop, and many know my penchant for neatness.

algale · Post by **algale** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:26 pm

8iowa wrote:Actually, I like the "zipper". Dust and chips can accumulate on the side where the fan housing is closest to the hood. The openings where chips fall into the plastic bag can also become clogged. Every third or forth emptying of the plastic bag I unzip the hood and with a thin piece of wood, like a paint stirrer, I clean dust and chips from these areas. It's not as messy as one might think. I do it in my shop, and many know my penchant for neatness.

Well, I'm glad to find out others have a zipper too. You explanation makes sense. When I changed the 12 inch hood I notice there was a ton of dust built up on top of the fan housing. If I had been changing the lower collector bag, a lot of that stuff probably would have fallen out on the floor. I can see the advantage of knocking it into the collector bag before changing it. thanks.

Al

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:31 pm

I unzip it to knock down the buildup on top of the housing. Just in front of the switch.

algale · Post by **algale** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:30 pm

A quick review of the 42 inch filter hood: if you have been using the regular 12 inch hood, you NEED this upgrade especially if you have a basement shop like me.

My unscientific test (how much dust I see in the air and smell while using the DC3300 plus how much visible dust settles out of the air on to the floor after it is shut off for a few hours) tells me that much more of the dust is staying in the DC3300 than before.

Before buying the 42 inch hood, I had been contemplating buying a HEPA cyclone but I decided to go with the far lower cost of the 42 inch hood. Money well spent.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:36 pm

algale wrote:A quick review of the 42 inch filter hood: if you have been using the regular 12 inch hood, you NEED this upgrade especially if you have a basement shop like me.

My unscientific test (how much dust I see in the air and smell while using the DC3300 plus how much visible dust settles out of the air on to the floor after it is shut off for a few hours) tells me that much more of the dust is staying in the DC3300 than before.

Before buying the 42 inch hood, I had been contemplating buying a HEPA cyclone but I decided to go with the far lower cost of the 42 inch hood. Money well spent.

I have found the 42" hood a super investment. First someone on this group of experts suggested running the DC3300 for 15 or 20 minutes after completion of all shop work for the day. It literally sucks most of airborne sawdust from the air. Secondly the zipper is really handy if one needs to stick a paw in to move a blockage. Warning paws cannot go where a tool especially a dust collector is running. Fjimp

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:53 pm

fjimp wrote:I have found the 42" hood a super investment. First someone on this group of experts suggested running the DC3300 for 15 or 20 minutes after completion of all shop work for the day. It literally sucks most of airborne sawdust from the air. Secondly the zipper is really handy if one needs to stick a paw in to move a blockage. Warning paws cannot go where a tool especially a dust collector is running. Fjimp

I would not think opening that zipper while running is a good idea either unless one is wearing a gas mask!:D

jimthej · Post by **jimthej** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:07 pm

JPG40504 wrote:I would not think opening that zipper while running is a good idea either unless one is wearing a gas mask!:D

I think a Hazmat Suit would be more better.