Shopvac versus regen motor or vac pump

[kencraft]

I am considering using 2 fein vacs for my 5 x 8 table. I am wondering if this will give me enough vacuum or should I be looking at regenerative blower or a vacuum pump. If so which one and what kind of hp should I be looking at. I am in a high electric rate area so large hp motor would be a concern. I have seen a lot of used equipment on the market. I can put the motors in a room outside and run a line inside about 20' if that would be an option.

[thewoodcrafter]

It kind of depends what you are making.
Will you be in a production environment?

I have a cabinet shop and would not even consider shopvacs.

I have a 15HP regen blower for my table with 5 zones. Pulls most anything I cut down very well.

[kencraft]

I will have some production. Also a lot of one of a kind. I do custom millwork, mostly hardwoods. I bought the spidle because I plan on running it.

[bcondon]

Depends on what you do, your finances, and your value system.

2 shop vacs will cost $800, You can get vac motors for $200 and build a wooden case (see Brady's column) or you can spend $6000 on a regen.

I am starting out so a regen blower is out for me but the vac motors and some scrap wood is enough to get me started... if successful, then we can upgrade later.

[wberminio]

I have the Republic Regenerative Blower - 16.9hp,that shopbot sells.8 zone table.It is a workhorse.It will pull and hold any sheet of material flat.
I had some issuses with some small strechers pieces moving,but seemed to have resolved that.

It is a big unit,but not as loud as one would think.It is not a high pitch sound like a shopvac or router.

Erminio

[wberminio]

Another important factor--

You need 3phase power coming into your shop!

[carlosgmarroquin]

If I only have single phase, what are my options?

[carlosgmarroquin]

sorry, the question I wanted to make is: What is the best option for single phase?

[Gary Campbell]

Carlos...
Your single phase options are:
1) Use a motor drive to convert single to 3 phase. Usual configuration is drive should be minimum 1.7 times HP rating of driven motor (round up to 2)
2) Use multiples of either 5 or 7.5 hp single phase blowers.
3)Use multiple inexpensive vac motors as posted in many places on this forum.
There may be more... but that covers the most popular.
Gary

[carlosgmarroquin]

in option 2. the 5 or 7.5 HP is because that is the minimum to get the holding capacity?

[Gary Campbell]

Carlos...
That is because 5 or 7.5 hp is as large as they seem to make the single phase units. To get the performance needed, more than 1 would be needed IMHO.
Gary

[jerry_stanek]

Just remember you are running a 5 or 7.5 hp motor all the time that you need to run your three phase equipment. Even though the motor is not under load it still uses electric and you need to size your panel and wiring to accommodate this.

[kencraft]

I have the 3 phase power. I see a lot of folks using 16 hp systems. Is that made up of mutiple blowers or just one. Is there something in between that would still work better than 2 feins but not have to run 16 hp all the time. I have a table made up of 5 zones similiar to the one in many of Gary's posts.

[wberminio]

Ken

I have the Republic 16.9hp 3ph vacuum pump.
It has one (1)large blower.This size vacuum produces a conciderable amount of air movement,which contrbutes to it's holding power.
It also produces a conciderable amount of heat.
I have a valve on the exhause to divert the exhust outside in summer and inside the shop in winter.

Erminio