Seyco Scroll Saw Dust Collector

[kmmcrafts]

Well, those little vacuums aren't designed for this type of use.. Probably decent for the hobby user but in a commercial type setting save up and buy something that'll last or has a good warranty.. I knew going into one of these that would be the case.. They last just about the life of a Excalibur scroll saw.. as the first vacuum burnt up shortly after I rebuilt the saw the first time.. The saw is getting to that point again and last night out cutting some orders and the vacuum stopped working.. same deal.. motor locked up. Good thing I've been buying some spare vacuums off eBay.. I have 2 spares that were new in box returns etc.. and got them cheap.. like $15 for one and $25 for the other. Meanwhile I'm not sure how much more scrolling I'll continue doing as much of my stuff is turning over to laser work.. not sure I want to invest $500 into a festool or like vacuum if I'm cutting back on the scroll work anyway. Maybe just keep watching eBay for those little Metro Vac 500 vacuums to keep a spare around. LOL

[barb.j.enders]

I have a spare Metro vac I would sell to you but the shipping wouldn't make it cost effective!

[Scrappile]

I do not think even many of the expensive ones hold up the going on and off all the time like is done with a scroll saw. They are more for sander or circular saws that go for a while and then off.  My Fien only lasted 3 years and 3 months.  I now have an on/off foot switch for my vac.  I leave it going when going from hole, to the next.  I could be wrong, just my theory. But I also use an on/off foot switch for my scroll saws.  I do not care for the dead man switches. 

[kmmcrafts]

36 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

I do not think even many of the expensive ones hold up the going on and off all the time like is done with a scroll saw. They are more for sander or circular saws that go for a while and then off.  My Fien only lasted 3 years and 3 months.  I now have an on/off foot switch for my vac.  I leave it going when going from hole, to the next.  I could be wrong, just my theory. But I also use an on/off foot switch for my scroll saws.  I do not care for the dead man switches. 

Yeah, that is what I was always thinking too.. which is why I just stick to these cheapy metrovac 500's.. I can get a replacement motor for around $80 but so far I've been lucky enough to find new open box ones on eBay for less than $40. I get a couple years out of one so that's not horrible, LOL 

[BadBob]

Besides wearing the switch out, what does switching from on-off do to wear out a vacuum?

[kmmcrafts]

37 minutes ago, BadBob said:

Besides wearing the switch out, what does switching from on-off do to wear out a vacuum?

I'm not sure on this really.. and I'm really not certain that it's anything to do with the switch on the ones I wear out since the motors lock up is what I have the problem with.. These Metro Vacs aren't designed to be a dust extractor.. and when I take them apart there is a pack of fine dust all around back behind the motor so in reality they aren't that great for collecting the dust.. Obviously there is "some dust" getting past the bag / filter and exiting the exhaust of the vac. I'm thinking mine burn up more from heat.. This fine dust usually packs into the bag and though it looks mostly empty you can tell the vac is working harder because it gets louder. The one I got from Seyco has a different exhaust port on the back and it's packed with foam.. I'm assuming it's to work as a muffler OR filter to help screen the fine dust that does escape. But the ones I got off eBay kinda have a blower on the back where you can hook a hose to use as a blower. I had been swapping the one from the Seyco onto the replacements I've been getting.. of coarse after cleaning the foam of dust etc.. but this time I'm going to experiment with just leaving the blower exhaust port on it as it's not really any louder so long as I put a piece of hose on it that it came with. I'm going to see but I'm betting the foam is restricting it and making it run hotter. 

[Denny Knappen]

I have one and don't use it often, so no problem.  Only complaint, no top pick up.

[OCtoolguy]

Kev, I routed mine through a mini cyclone so most of the dust never gets to the vac. Works great. I have the vac and saw both on the same foot switch. So far, all good.

[BadBob]

2 hours ago, BadBob said:

Besides wearing the switch out, what does switching from on-off do to wear out a vacuum?

To clarify, I keep seeing posts that claim starting and stopping a vacuum will wear it out quickly. I want someone to enlighten me on how this would cause wear.

 

[Wichman]

34 minutes ago, BadBob said:

To clarify, I keep seeing posts that claim starting and stopping a vacuum will wear it out quickly. I want someone to enlighten me on how this would cause wear.

 

If these are brushed universal motors then the frequent starting and stopping will cause excess wear on the brushes. If indeed there is fine dust working its way into the motor, then the dust will coat the brushes and armature causing more electrical resistance, causing wear. And, if the fine dust is collecting on the internal motor fan blades, then the cooling airflow will be reduced (10% change in the blade geometry can result in a 90% reduction in airflow). In addition, starting and stopping frequently can prevent the cooling system from effectively removing heat from the motor, causing overheating. Add all these things together and you have a recipe for disaster.  

[kmmcrafts]

1 hour ago, OCtoolguy said:

Kev, I routed mine through a mini cyclone so most of the dust never gets to the vac. Works great. I have the vac and saw both on the same foot switch. So far, all good.

Yes mine has a separator that came with the kit from Seyco.. https://seyco.com/product/dv-10a-cyclonic-action-scroll-saw-dust-collector/ 

I don't get a lot of dust but what little bit does get into the bag of the vac. as fine and powdery as it is it only takes a small amount of coating in that bag to slow down the air flow through the vac. I believe that needs "some" decent flow to cool the motor.. I used to be able to tell when the bag was a bit plugged with the dust because the vac keeps getting louder and louder. I also wonder if that foam that was in the exhaust port was restricting the flow.. the foam was only lined the outer part of the canister so it was still open through the middle.. I left the foam out of it this time to see if it'll last longer or if it's going to blow dust on through it.  

[dgman]

I have my scroll saw as well as all other machines hooked up to my dust collector. A lot quieter and better suction. I don’t have it switched to the saw but have a remote control. It stays on between blade changes. Been doing this way for twenty five years. It also has a homemade separator.