Received from David T.
(Thanks David!)
Wynn Filter Conversion for a Delta 50-760 Dust Collector
I recently purchased a Delta 50-760 dust collector. It is a 1.5 HP unit with an 11.5 inch fan blade. While I would love to have a cyclone, I am only a weekend woodworker and have limited space (and funding) so I bought this unit based upon the positive reviews that I was able to find on the internet and in recent publications. While the unit came with a 1 micron filter bag, I wanted to maximize filtration as well as air flow through the filter media. Wynn Environmental has been getting very positive reviews for their product line of filters as applied to woodworking. After talking with Wynn Environmental on the phone, I purchased their 35A274BLOL conversion kit and assumed that I would be able to figure out some way to mount this filter onto the new Delta dust collector.
Upon receiving the filter (both in a timely manner and in excellent condition) and having purchased the Delta 50-760, I began to examine how to merge the two. As it turns out, it was a very straightforward process. On the Delta 50-760, the outer diameter of the flange openings, where the filter media attaches and where the bag attaches, measure 15-3/4 inches. Again, this is the outer diameter of the flanges.
These flange openings (top and bottom) are the same since the unit can be assembled with the motor on top and the intake from the bottom OR with the intake facing upwards and the motor in a downward position. It just so happens that the inner diameter of the gasket attached to the 35A274BLOL filter is approximately 15-3/4 inches. This means that the raised outer edge of the dust collector flange “should” snugly fit within the gasket mounted onto the filter.
A test of the fit of the 35A filter onto the flange showed that the filter could be gently worked onto the flange and that the gasket material would snugly hold the filter centered on the flange. The flat bottom of the filter was firmly seated against the top of the flange. Prior to mounting the filter permanently this way, I placed some gasket material just to the inside edge of the existing gasket material that had been applied by Wynn Environmental. I ended up using a high density foam weather stripping. This material just had to fill any minor void that may exist between the bottom of the filter and the upper edge of the mounting flange.
Once I had the Wynn filter seated squarely on the mounting flange, and with the foam forming a seal at this contact area, I had to next figure out how to securely fasten the filter to the body of the dust collector. When I re-examined the inside of the unit, I noticed that Delta had built in a retaining ring or ridge just inside of both the top and bottom flanges. These are there to act as stops for the spring-type metal bands that Delta included for securing their filter bag to the inside of this unit. These bands fit very snugly into these areas to hold the filter bag and can be an option for mounting the collection bag. Delta also includes a traditional metal band and clasp system that fits on the outside of the flange. This latter method is what I decided to go with to secure the collection bag.
Having these ridges built into the mounting flanges turned out to be another big plus for retrofitting the Delta 50-760 with a Wynn filter. The three turnbuckles supplied with the Wynn conversion kit turned out to be the correct length to fit between the lower inner lip on the inside of the 35A filter and the ridges built into the mounting flanges.
Once I had the 35A filter secured to the base unit with the three turnbuckles, I tightened each so that they were very snug and held the filter firmly to the dust collector. With the filter securely attached, I next mounted a collection bag that had been supplied by Delta. As mentioned earlier, you can use the tension band to mount on the inside of the flanges OR as I chose, use the metal band and clasp to mount the bag to the outside of the flange.
This last photo shows the completed conversion. The entire process did not take very long at all, maybe around 2 to 3 hours total, including the initial assembly of the dust collector. Delta really appears to have done an excellent job with the 50-760, building an apparently robust dust collector that assembles easily and quickly.
The addition of the Wynn Environmental filter increases flow area to 274 sq ft (for the 35A274BLOL I used) and increases filtration down to 0.5 micron. The added flow area should add some CFM to the unit and the added filtration should help minimize the harmful dust generated from woodworking in my garage workshop. The addition was completed quickly since no ‘donut’ had to be made to connect the filter to the collector.
I was very pleased with the information and timely responses I received from Wynn Environmental, whether it was a phone call or an email, I always got my questions answered. Thanks to Dick and Rick Wynn for running a class operation with quality products and for their excellent customer support. I look forward to my upcoming projects and will let you know how this new system works in the real world.
David T. – Bartlesville, Oklahoma