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Vac trouble

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 11:32 pm
by JimmiV
Members, I have the DC-3300 vac with the stock air hood. I use the vac. As an all around garage vac as well as for wood working. I have done a lot of Sheetrock work and used the vac to clean up my messes...now whenever I turn on the vac I get dust blowing out the back where the fan exhaust is located. I banged my hood to try and clean it..but no luck...any suggestions.
Thanks
Jimmi V.

Re: Vac trouble

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 11:38 pm
by dusty
You need to pull off the hood and the dust collection bag and clean the DC out real good.

You may also have to cleanup the fan motor compartment to clear the "clog".

Wall Board Dust second only to MDF Dust

Good Luck.

Browse the forum. There is a recent thread detailing what one of the members accomplished (same sort of problem).

Re: Vac trouble

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 1:17 pm
by woodmeister
Just maybe it is coming from where the bag seals onto the flat clamp that goes around it. I have tightened mine up as tight as I can get it and it still leaks. To remedy it I put foam window strip caulking around band which sealed up all leaks. Worked for me but may not be your problem.
Tom

Re: Vac trouble

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 3:51 pm
by JPG
Is it blowing out the motor port, or from the bag just below it?

If from the motor port you are on borrowed time.

That fine drywall dust will accumulate on the windings and clog it up and cause overheating. BTDT. My PO used it for cleaning up drywall as well as ink from a print shop.

It works well for cleaning up after drywall work, but it needs to be flushed afterwards.

Re: Vac trouble

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 7:35 pm
by wa2crk
Cleaning up drywall dust is a no-no for any vac. That stuff clogs any filter in a very short time. I used my shop vac to clean up drywall dust and just replaced the filter after each use. Remove the dust filter bag of the DC3300 and turn it inside out and hang it over a wash line and beat the snot out of it with a broomstick. This MIGHT make it clean enough to be effective. 50-50 chance. As JPG has stated, dust in the windings is a cause for future failure. You may have to take the motor apart and blow out the windings to restore air flow.

Re: Vac trouble

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 8:29 pm
by ChrisNeilan
By any chance, can you (after beating your bag) put it into a washing machine to clean? Think laundromat large machine. Then air dry?

Re: Vac trouble

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 8:41 pm
by JPG
Maybe!

Remember it is felt.

It might shrink!


As I recall felt hats were dry clean only.

Re: Vac trouble

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 8:52 pm
by benush26
ChrisNeilan wrote:By any chance, can you (after beating your bag) put it into a washing machine to clean? Think laundromat large machine. Then air dry?
Some years back I contacted American Fabric Filter (whose as far as I know makes the bags for SS), asking how they should be cleaned. They recommend washing by hand in a big tub or wash room sink with something like Woolite, rinse very thoroughly. And yes, then air dry.

Hope that helps.

Be well,
Ben

Re: Vac trouble

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 9:13 pm
by oldiron
Drywall dust is much finer than wood dust. I wouldn't use a vac system designed for wood to vac drywall dust. I would wash the bag by hand with cold water and a very mild detergent like woolite or similar and hang dry.

Concrete dust is just as bad. Some areas of my welding shop floor need to be resealed and it will clog a standard paper filter bag in nothing flat. It will go through the bag and wind up in the motor.

Mike

Re: Vac trouble

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 9:37 pm
by JPG
Wonder what diatomaceous earth would do. :D :eek: