DC3300 question

[easterngray]

I have been working on my new bench this week and found that cutting MDF creates a great amount of dust! I cut the sheets down to size using a circular saw; there was no dust collection and my shop got real dusty real quick! I opened all the ports of the DC3300 and let it run for 20 minutes or so to clean the air. Soon I became aware of what can best be described as an oil like smell, which I discovered was coming from the motor vent area of the DC3300. I shut it down as I thought perhaps something was burning, so I wheeled it outside the shop. I ran it again a few minutes later and got the same "oily" smell. It stinks. You can really smell it if you take a whiff by the motor vent in the back of the housing. I guess I will have to open it up to take a look, but as I was laying in bed last night it dawned on me - maybe it was some of that MDF dust in there by the motor? Any advice or ideas would be appreciated. Alec

[dusty]

I cut a lot of MDF so I'll be looking forward to your findings.

The volume of dust produced by MDF causes me to cut most of it on an outdoor cutting table but I do a lot of re cuts on the Mark V while using the dust collector. However, the DC3300 motor is in what is supposedly a sealed compartment and should have a very small accumulation of dust around it.

Like I said, I'll be waiting anxiously to hear the results of your analysis.

[wa2crk]

Hi;
You may want to check the air circulation around the motor to make sure that the air flow is not blocked. On my dust collector (a Delta) the impeller also pulls air up from the bottom of the unit to cool the motor.
Bill V

[easterngray]

Thanks guys - I used the DC alot this moring and though I could still smell it, it has diminished considerably. No sign of smoke or heat, so I figure it was the MDF dust. I'm gonna have to change the bag this week so I'll open it up then. Alec

[charlese]

My DC3300 motor once got a hot smell, more like hot wiring than oil, after running for 6 straight hours. The next day, took the thing apart and finding nothing but dirt.

Now every once and a while, I will run the DC and while the motor is running blow into the cooling vents with my compressor. I've not had the smell again.

Maybe someone can tell us if this is a good practice.

[dusty]

My DC3300 motor once got a hot smell, more like hot wiring than oil, after running for 6 straight hours. The next day, took the thing apart and finding nothing but dirt.

Now every once and a while, I will run the DC and while the motor is running blow into the cooling vents with my compressor. I've not had the smell again.

Maybe someone can tell us if this is a good practice.

Since you do it Charlese, and have had good results it must be a good practise. I've written it into my periodic procedures manual. Thank you for that insight. May your DC3300 never blow stinky exhaust again.

Happy New Year, All of you.

[Ed in Tampa]

I have dug around in my DC3300 usually just to get out a rag or something I sucked in. But one time I went exploring and found a leaking seal. I don't remember exactly where but when I saw it, it was obvious that dust was getting by and into the motor area. I fixed it and I haven't seen dust in my motor since.

I use MDF frequently and I haven't had any problems.