Rikon 3-speed air cleaner......comments?

[Lamar Wright]

Again, thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread for all the help. Sometimes we must keep our expenses in tune with our finances, and I couldn't justify purchasing the larger Jet air filtration unit, or the DC at this time.......but, I just completed the order for the smaller WEN air filtration unit. It will be ceiling mounted near the lathe. I should have it installed and running in about a week or ten days.

-----odie-----

Hi there Odie......... That is the same exact model Wen that I have.... I know that you'll like it and it don't break the Bank!!


Happy turning my friend......Lamar

 

[odie]

OK.....it's done......thanks everybody!

 

[Lamar Wright]

OK.....it's done......thanks everybody!
View attachment 26637

That should do the job Odie....... Looks great!!

 

[odie]

That should do the job Odie....... Looks great!!

It's also much quieter than I thought it would be.....I'm amazed actually!

-----odie-----

 

[Dan Bevilacqua]

Odie, sorry to be a naysayer; but, from the photo (if I am seeing it correctly) it appears that the Wen is set up such that you are placed between the lathe's saw dust and the intake of the Wen. In my opinion, this is not a good thing, if you plan to run the Wen while you are turning.

 

[odie]

Odie, sorry to be a naysayer; but, from the photo (if I am seeing it correctly) it appears that the Wen is set up such that you are placed between the lathe's saw dust and the intake of the Wen. In my opinion, this is not a good thing, if you plan to run the Wen while you are turning.

OK, thanks Dan.......I'll keep that under consideration. I was using it all day today, and so far, it seems to be working very well.

-----odie-----

 

[odie]

When I sand, the dust is being slung directly towards me anyway......but, I'm wearing either my Airstream helmet, or my Resp-o-rator during those times. I don't have enough experience with the Wen, to make an evaluation. It does seem like the dust is being sucked away from where I'm standing with some efficiency, whereas, without it, it tends to stagnate in the area where I am.

We'll see.......

-----odie-----

 

[Jon Minerich]

When I sand, the dust is being slung directly towards me anyway......but, I'm wearing either my Airstream helmet, or my Resp-o-rator during those times. I don't have enough experience with the Wen, to make an evaluation. It does seem like the dust is being sucked away from where I'm standing with some efficiency, whereas, without it, it tends to stagnate in the area where I am.

We'll see.......

-----odie-----

Oldie,
It looks fine. I run mine almost continuously when I am sanding or turning. I also set the timer to run an hour or two after I leave the shop if I am going to be putting a finish on a special project the next morning.

 

[odie]

Oldie,
It looks fine. I run mine almost continuously when I am sanding or turning. I also set the timer to run an hour or two after I leave the shop if I am going to be putting a finish on a special project the next morning.

Thanks, Jon.......

I'll be running the Wen likewise. It's going to get a work-out, because there isn't very many days where I'm not in the shop at least 5 hours. I know this is the economy unit, but we'll see just how well it can hold up to a constant long term use. (As long as my health is holding out, anyway! )

Of those hours spent daily, there are a couple hours when I'm not using breathing protection. It's during those times, I'm hoping the air in the shop is a bit easier on my respiratory system. I know the Wen isn't a "magic bullet", but if it helps, then I will be satisfied it was a good investment......

-----odie-----

 

[Damon McLaughlin]

Odie,

It should hold up well. I'm in my shop five to eight hours a day, sometimes more. Almost every day. I would guess that I probably run my unit an average of five days a week. After two years its still running great.

At first I used my wet/dry vac to clean the outer filter. I wouldn't recommend cleaning this way as the vacuum pulled the fibers away from the filter allowing too much dust to reach the inner filter. I've found that compressed air at a low pressure works much better for periodic cleaning of the outer filter.

 

[Mike Johnson]

OK.....it's done......thanks everybody!
View attachment 26637

Odie,
Did you opt for the next larger size of lag eye anchor bolts and jack chain when installing the air cleaner?

 

[Dan Bevilacqua]

Odie, although I clean my outer filter on my Wen, I have a couple of spares for when they go beyond cleaning. They do have outer filter replacements for a relatively low price of under $18.00 for a 2 pack at HD.

 

[odie]

Odie, although I clean my outer filter on my Wen, I have a couple of spares for when they go beyond cleaning. They do have outer filter replacements for a relatively low price of under $18.00 for a 2 pack at HD.

Yeah Dan.....got that covered! Bought extra inner and outer filters.

Odie,

It should hold up well. I'm in my shop five to eight hours a day, sometimes more. Almost every day. I would guess that I probably run my unit an average of five days a week. After two years its still running great.

At first I used my wet/dry vac to clean the outer filter. I wouldn't recommend cleaning this way as the vacuum pulled the fibers away from the filter allowing too much dust to reach the inner filter. I've found that compressed air at a low pressure works much better for periodic cleaning of the outer filter.

Sounds good, Damon.......thanks for the tip on cleaning the outer filter. Hopefully this Wen will last a long time......sounds like it might!

Odie,
Did you opt for the next larger size of lag eye anchor bolts and jack chain when installing the air cleaner?

No, I didn't, Mike.......those are the chains and hooks that were supplied with the Wen unit.

-----odie-----

 

[odie]

I'm in my shop five to eight hours a day, sometimes more. Almost every day. I would guess that I probably run my unit an average of five days a week.

I can remember many days in my 50's when I was spending 12 hour days out in the shop (on weekends).......but, in a few months I'll be 70, and I find that I just don't have the stamina to stay on my feet more than about 5 hours anymore......6 hours tops. I have the heart for it......but, the ol' legs don't!

One thing about it, though.......is I get more production out of 5 hours, than I used to get out of 8.....so, that's some consolation, I suppose!

-----odie-----

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

I can remember many days in my 50's when I was spending 12 hour days out in the shop (on weekends).......but, in a few months I'll be 70, and I find that I just don't have the stamina to stay on my feet more than about 5 hours anymore......6 hours tops. I have the heart for it......but, the ol' legs don't!

One thing about it, though.......is I get more production out of 5 hours, than I used to get out of 8.....so, that's some consolation, I suppose!

-----odie-----

Me too. But you know now you could switch to adding embellishments and carving and add color to your turnings and you can then sit down for most of that. Changes allow us old timers to keep going , just not at the same speed our gears used to turn.

 

[Damon McLaughlin]

I have neuropathy in my feet so some days I find it difficult to spend time on my feet. While I'm in my shop most of the day I'm not always productive. I have started doing what Gerald had mentioned, I have an old desk with a comfortable chair in my shop that I now use as my embellishing station. On the days I feel comfortable being on my feet I'll turn and on the days I need to be off my feet I do my embellishing. And then there are those days I just sit and ponder, or clean and organize.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

I have neuropathy in my feet so some days I find it difficult to spend time on my feet. While I'm in my shop most of the day I'm not always productive. I have started doing what Gerald had mentioned, I have an old desk with a comfortable chair in my shop that I now use as my embellishing station. On the days I feel comfortable being on my feet I'll turn and on the days I need to be off my feet I do my embellishing. And then there are those days I just sit and ponder, or clean and organize.

That "sit and ponder" is something my Father-In-Law used to do a lot and at the time I thought it was lazy and now that opinion has changed.

 

[Damon McLaughlin]

The 'sit and ponder' has been happening a lot recently because I don't have a lathe. I ordered a new Powermatic 3520C from CSUSA in early June before the Portland Symposium and at almost three and a half months later I'm still waiting for a lathe so I can get back to turning. In the mean time I've been able to catch up on maintenance, a lot of re-organizing including moving my Wen air filtration closer to the lathe area and of course a lot of pondering, wondering if I should have just bought a different lathe.

Without a lathe my air filters are lasting much longer between cleanings.

 

[Damon McLaughlin]

Yeah Dan.....got that covered! Bought extra inner and outer filters.

-----odie-----

When it gets time to buy new filters don't limit your search to the Wen brand, take a look at Powertec, Rikon and some of the others that are rebranding this filter unit. I found that every once in a while Sears will have the best price for the Powertec filters, as low as $7 each when they have a sale (online only). Amazon will occasionally have a two pack for $12 to $14 as well.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

Without a lathe my air filters are lasting much longer

And then there are those days I just sit and ponder, or clean and organize.

On the clean and organize days maybe you could come over to my shop... I mean just for a change of scenery.

 

[Damon McLaughlin]

On the clean and organize days maybe you could come over to my shop... I mean just for a change of scenery.

I've already helped one club member with some organizing and wiring and other club members seem willing to open their doors to me as well. The problem with moving things around and organizing is now I can't find anything, it'll take some time to get used to where things are, unless I get restless and move stuff around again.

 

[odie]

I ordered a new Powermatic 3520C from CSUSA in early June before the Portland Symposium and at almost three and a half months later I'm still waiting for a lathe

What seems to be the problem with getting your lathe?

-----odie-----

 

[Damon McLaughlin]

Well, its been the worst buying experience I've ever had. I placed my order before the symposium last June and was told it would arrive before the end of the month (I told CSUSA and Powermatic I was going on vacation July 1 and both guaranteed me I would have it before then). I'll try to keep this short;

I received a call from the shipping company that my lathe was ready for pick up or delivery and since the first delivery date available was after I left town I decided to rent a trailer and go pick up the lathe. Drove an hour to get to the terminal, waited thirty minutes, they couldn't find the lathe. It was determined the following day that it was misplaced and Powermatic told me that it would be considered lost in transit.

I received and email from CSUSA stating that they confirmed with Powermatic that the second lathe would ship 7/11. I got home 7/15, waited and on 7/23 I contacted CSUSA and was told that Powermatic forgot to ship it. I called the regional sales manager and he said shipping was delayed by customer service but promised it would go out right away.

The second arrived on 8/10. The tailstock swing away was in pieces, the paint on the 20" extension bubbling and peeling. I receive a refund for the swing away but it took four weeks for CSUSA to complete it. The lathe had a manufacturing defect. The bottom of the tailstock and headstock had not been ground down and polished but rather had very sharp ridges from the casting mold which was cutting deep groves into the ways of the bed. Nothing lined up. Powermatic said there was a production issue.

Received lathe number 3 on 9/4. Damaged in transit and unusable. Powermatic said "Most pallets and boxes look bad after transit.." When an almost 800 pound lathe is packed on a pallet made of 3/8" pine I suspect the shipping company isn't the only one at fault. I was told that lathe number four would ship but I haven't heard anything yet so sill waiting.

During the entire time Powermatic keeps telling me that nothing is their fault. I asked for a discount and was told no. I have been asking for them to start my warranty when I finally get a lathe through numerous emails but haven't heard anything (their policy is the warranty starts on the day of purchase so I would lose three or four months). I have low hopes for the fourth lathe and even lower confidence in Powermatic. I was told I could have a refund but there is nothing else in this price point that has similar features (sliding headstock being one of them). If I have this much trouble buying a Powermatic 3520c then what kind of trouble will I have if I need warranty work? I'm also out of pocket for having to package up the second lathe and for a tarp to cover the third lathe. I'm also not going to have enough for the craft fairs, I even had to back out of the first two. So while I purchased this on a good sale its costing me more than I anticipated. CSUSA has not been helpful either, only telling me that I need to deal with this directly with Powermatic.

Odie, sorry for the rant.....

 

[RichColvin]

Damon,

I recommend you call an executive there. I found the following :

Robert Varzino
SVP Marketing and Internet
JPW Industries
615-287-5870
bvarzino@jpwindustries.com​

I got this from the web site for JPW, the company which owns the Powermatic brand.

My thinking is, executives can get things accomplished, and if their executives do nothing, then you should reconsider buying their products.

Kind regards,
Rich

 

[Damon McLaughlin]

Rich,

Thank you for the contact information, I will try to give Mr. Varzino a call this week. My frustration level has been high. I'm a disabled vet with severe ptsd and have been using turning as a form of therapy. Its been hard these past three months, fortunately there have been members in my club that have opened their doors to me. I'm doing a demo in two weeks and have to travel to other shops so I can prep my blanks. Its just been a hassle. The regional west coast manager has been easy to reach and tells me 'everything I want to hear'. He's been helpful in continuing to ship out lathes and where they're lacking I feel like he's blowing smoke up my, well, you know. Base on my experience I would never shop CSUSA nor would I ever buy another Powermatic product. While embarrassing to admit, with my ptsd I've become a very non-confrontational person over the past twenty five years and that makes calling anyone very very difficult for me.

I'm going to see how number four goes, I may have to seriously think about the refund I was offered and come up with a new plan. Its been really hard for me, I told myself I would just wait it out and see how Powermatic comes through but after more than three months I'm tired of waiting.

Hey Odie, I'm really sorry if I hijacked your thread.

 

[odie]

Hey Odie, I'm really sorry if I hijacked your thread.

No problem, Damon......I hope you can get these problems resolved.

Thank you for your service.

-----odie-----

 

[Damon McLaughlin]

No problem, Damon......I hope you can get these problems resolved.

Thank you for your service.

-----odie-----

Thank you on both notes.

Damon

 

[Bill Boehme]

If #4 doesn't pan out you might consider canceling your order and getting something else. I'll shamelessly say that dealing with Brent English at Robust lathes is an absolutely pleasant experience. And, he knows how to pack a lathe so that it arrives in perfect condition.

 

[hockenbery]

If #4 doesn't pan out you might consider canceling your order and getting something else. I'll shamelessly say that dealing with Brent English at Robust lathes is an absolutely pleasant experience. And, he knows how to pack a lathe so that it arrives in perfect condition.

Also one part of Brent’s business that has always impressed me is the superb network of Robust dealers he established. In central Florida Don Geiger is Brent’s dealer. He sets up the Robust lathes he sells and makes sure it is right.
Oneway is far behind in dealerships but we have Franck Johansen as our local ONEWAY dealer.

These two guys are both excellent turners and know the equipment. Both ONEWAY and Robust are known for excellent customer support. Both will be at the Florida symposium.


I also know lots of folks with Powermatics. @Damon McLaughlin experience is awful. It certainly is not what most people encounter.

Regarding Craft Supplies, a few months ago, I got some excellent support over the phone troubleshooting a woodfast lathe I bought from them in 1995.

 

[Damon McLaughlin]

I've exchanged several emails with Brent and talked a lot to Don because the Robust AB was my back up plan if number three didn't work. The reason I said okay to number four was I'm having a hard time being okay with the added cost, it means pulling from what I've been saving for a larger shop. On the other hand spending what I did for a new (working) lathe that I don't have yet is also hard.

I've turned on an AB several times in California and I must admit, I smiled every moment I was making shavings. What a lathe! We'll see how number four works out. Several members in our club have the 3520b and most have not had any issues and I enjoy turning on them as well. Hopefully this gets straightened out.

 

[RichColvin]

Damon,

I have a PowerMatic 3520B, and really like it. But I have to say that, if I were in your predicament, I would be very tempted to go with a Robust. I've heard nothing but great things about their quality and their customer service. As a fellow vet, I very much appreciate Robust's support for those with disabilities (they have a really innovative design for wheel-chair bond turners).

Poor customer service, combined with begin ignored by the executives is why I refuse to buy Samsung products. So, if Robert Varzino does not fix this fast, then I recommend you cancel and go with something else. There are very good options. Do not accept being treated badly.

One more thing : consider using Twitter. It is a really powerful tool for fast customer service. I'd consider posting something like :

@PowerMatic please help me get a working lathe.​

I have found that putting requests out there get action really fast !

Rich

 

[Damon McLaughlin]

Thank you Rich for your post. My fourth powermatic was scheduled to be delivered yesterday and no one ever showed up. We'll see if I can get a hold of the shipping company today and see what the hold up is.

I unfortunately don't use twitter, otherwise I would do anything at this point to either get a lathe or a refund, I prefer the later at this point. Its embarrassing going to club meetings and have everyone ask about the new lathe I ordered over three months ago. Its embarrassing that I can't prep for a demo that I'm scheduled to do in two weeks. And its embarrassing to tell a gallery owner in Spokane, one that wants me to be the feature artist in November, that I may not have but a few pieces ready to display. I hate to miss that opportunity but any further delays will prevent me from having enough pieces to be ready for the show. I have a lot of words that would describe how I feel at the moment, none of which are appropriate to use here.

 

[odie]

I do have a very good "barometer" in checking the Wen's effectiveness......the windshield of the car always gets a coating of dust......and it's completely on the other side of the shop/garage. (I'd say on average, I only drive to town 2-3 times per week......sometimes less.

Update: Since installing the WEN air filter, I've noticed less dust on the windshield of my car. Still some there, but much less than before. This has got to be better for my lungs!
-----odie-----

 

[Lamar Wright]

Update: Since installing the WEN air filter, I've noticed less dust on the windshield of my car. Still some there, but much less than before. This has got to be better for my lungs!
-----odie-----
View attachment 26741

Wow Odie nice garage!! Glad the WEN is working for you and mainly it is better for your lungs. After installing my WEN I could tell a big difference the next day. Have fun my friend and happy safe turning.

 

[odie]

Don't know if this will work well, but I attached a frayed string to the exhaust on the WEN. The thought behind it is it gives me some indication when the filters need changing. So far, I've only been blowing compressed air to the intake filter......and that usually produces a cloud of dust. I know it's working, but I'd like to have some method of making a calculated judgement about that. Anyone else doing this?

 

[Lamar Wright]

Hi Odie.....good idea..... hadn't though of that. Seems like the string would gauge the velocity of exhaust air (as the string drops). What I have been doing on my Wen is like what you have been doing.....go outside the shop and clean the filter with my air compressor.

 

[Tom Gall]

Don't know if this will work well, but I attached a frayed string to the exhaust on the WEN. The thought behind it is it gives me some indication when the filters need changing. So far, I've only been blowing compressed air to the intake filter......and that usually produces a cloud of dust. I know it's working, but I'd like to have some method of making a calculated judgement about that. Anyone else doing this?
View attachment 27485

Looks familiar! I have about six 1/4" red ribbons tied to a rod serving the same purpose. I also installed a cheap furnace filter to the intake side to act as a pre-filter. When it looks dirty I do a quick clean with my shop vac.

 

[Damon McLaughlin]

Odie, great idea!

Tom, I also use a furnace filter as a prefilter.

I take my filters out and blow them carefully with compressed air when they need to be cleaned as well.

 

[Don Jarvie]

I just vacuum the outside of the furnace filter and replace it when it gets dirty.