DIY Harbor Freight Dust Collector Impeller Upgrade

In this video I show you how improved and upgraded my harbor freight tools dust collector by adding a larger rikon impeller. This increases suction and cfm.

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[rangerbaynworkshop]

Now that you've upgraded your impeller, take a look into minimizing the angles and turns in your tubing. Any time moving air has to go around a curve (and the tighter the degree of a curve) it causes turbulence. This turbulence reduces air flow velocity. For maximum efficiency, it's said that a 5 ft strait run from your air intake is advisable. Sometimes we don't have room to do so, but the straighter your pipes, and the softer the bends, the more efficient your dust collection will be!

[jameshuntley]

Just did the upgrade and the difference it makes is insane! Thanks for the video.

[UncleLouigisfamousyt]

Nice video!
Link for impeller doesn't connect. Could you relay specs? Thanks.

[shophacks]

It may be fine but you should check the amp draw on your motor. The new impeller probably raised it 50%. That could lead to overheating the motor if it exceeds the amp rating on the motor nameplate. You could also use an IR thermometer to check the motor temperature over time.

If the amps are too high you can add a restriction to the system to bring it back in spec. It seems counterintuitive but the more the airflow is blocked the less power the motor will draw.

Thanks for sharing this video.

[BenNawrath]

Left hand threads tighten counter clockwise. “Normal” is right hand 👍🏼

[andyboybennett]

I think you'd also get a big increase if you got rid of most of the flex tubing, and straightened the routine of the ducts. Corrugated flex tubing increases turbulence and decreases flow. Every turn or bend decreases air flow. Any bends you need should be as gradual as possible. The make larger-radius 90 degree elbows, or you can use two 45 degree bends to smooth it out. Any flex tubing should be minimized and should minimize bends.

[rogerwhoareyou]

Please add the link for the 6 inch shroud as I would like to put one on my HF dust collector. Thank you very much for making this video!!!

[bobbg]

That big loop bend looses about as much cfm as the old fan blade did. Get rid of it.

[rodneybosco]

Your 6” adapter looks like a perfect replacement for the HF 5” part. However, the Amazon link is to a product that is not a direct replacement and cutting is required. Is your link accurate?

[JPToto]

Bookmarking this for myself, thanks! Nice work! One piece of feedback: Your audio is a little low and it's tough to understand your at points of the video.

[propatriabellum]

Where did you find a 12” impeller that spins in the right direction?? I bought the Rikon and it has blades pitched the opposite direction! Help!

[robertryan]

This is exactly what I'm attempting to do. Where did you get the blower motor assembly?

[GyWO]

Thanks for sharing as I plan to get one of these over the shop vac set up I have

[G-wy]

Instead of banging the impeller in with a hammer, you could draw it in with some all thread, hex nut & washer. Saves damage to motor or bearings.

[stevesiefken]

Sorry but you may have said this but what was the CFM before and after the upgrade?

[jonruehle]

How about the shroud cover? No link in the description. Good how to video! I plan to upgrade mine.

[fotopdo]

It looks like your connection from impeller to outside is a big restriction, especially that 90 degree at the wall right after a 180 degree loop. A single 90 degree (right angle) bend is equal to 9 feet of straight piping. I’d say that total connection is the same drop as 14 to 16 feet of straight run.

[carterscustomrods]

They must've upgraded the impeller on the 1hp?

Also, I noticed the HF 2hp unit (supposedly a 20 amp motor/plug) now comes with a regular grounded 15a 120 style plug... feels sketchy AF.

[super-z]

You are replacing a forward curved fan blades with a backward curved ones. Significant difference in fan characteristics like cfm, static pressure, efficiency, fan curve etc. The difference in results you note are not just due to impeller size.
You could have overloaded your motor if the larger impeller was forward curved type.

[LeonardoRivera]

Where did you get that gasket for the inlet flange? Mine dried out and is brittle. Thanks!