How much CFM do you need for a baghouse dust collector

Some companies who make or sell dust-collectors make a big deal about the CFM ratings on their systems or the motor horsepower ratings. In far too many cases, their "specifications" appear to be virtually meaningless because they cannot exist in a normal installation. Unless you get a complete picture of your needs, then base it on "real numbers" rather than values measured in some undisclosed, arcane way that has nothing to do with actual use, it is difficult, and sometimes dangerous to trust their specifications. In reality, unless you know how their performance specifications were measured, you have no possible way of knowing whether their system will be appropriate for your needs or not.

Let us use a simple approach to solving the problem that will ensure a properly sized system that is capable of producing the needed results. This is done by following a few simple steps:

1. Determine how many CFM are required by each individual machine or tool that will be used in the shop.
2. Determine which machines or tools, if any, are likely to be used simultaneously.
3. Calculate the minimum required CFM through the collector, and determine appropriate ducting sizes for each tool.
4. Determine the proper cyclone size.
5. Determine what kind of blower is needed.
6. Determine blower motor size.
7. Determine the corresponding electrical power requirments.