(08-12-2019, 03:07 PM)UpstateNYdude Wrote: It also takes up half the foot print, doesn't require an 8ft ceiling and is on a mobile cart you can move any place you want, it's not a poor design, just a different design with similar properties and it still separates better than a non-cyclone model.
Not exactly. Lets look at the facts:
The laguna foot print is 30% smaller than similar spec'd units. Oneida has even smaller footprint models if you have extremely small space or need portability. There are also many choices of tall cyclones than fit under an 8' ceiling. and units even shorter than laguna's if you work in a cave.
IT IS a poor design. Ask anyone with any kind of background in fluid dynamics. Crib notes: a short cone equals less separation. Witness the kludge bar that laguna needed to ADD to their units AFTER the fact. Again, poor design. Shouldn't have got caught with their pants down after delivering to consumers!
Laguna's are also rated louder than comparable oneida units. Nothing to sneeze at if you're really in a low ceiling small space.
As to the separates better than non-cyclone models I cannot offer hard numbers because I haven't tested both. So not fact but, I have seen enough to make a good guess that something like a Harbor Freight (or any other clones) + Thein baffle - or - Jet's single stagers with their cone separate as well or even better than laguna's based on the particulate that reaches their respective filters.
Does the laguna work ? Yep. so do pretty much all "dust collectors" Torbin & co. have designed a nice package for many people and convinced a lot of rockler and woodcraft dealers to stock one for folks to fondle in person. That has value. Kinda tough for you touch a Grizzly or Oneida unless you're close to their headquarters or warehouse. A few place have the Jets. But the decision for most is a dice roll based on research / recs and e-marketing - something laguna is really well versed at.
However, no one is going to convince me that laguna's are just as good or better than a properly designed "tall" cyclone at separation or chips or fine dust. It just isn't possible on this planet with their design. Darita's (and others') experience is proof of this.