Microclene MC1000

[Stephen Diver]

Hi Neal,
I represent Microclene in Australia and I would like to clarify the warranty issues with Microclene units supplied to the Australian market. Groggy mentioned we had an issue (goes back a couple of years) with a couple of batches of motors from our supplier which exhibited more than acceptible levels of warranty claims. After much tooing and froing ?? (and testing) with our supplier, it was noted that our voltage in Australia is about 10% higher than that in the UK and Europe (by far the biggest market for Microclene at this stage. Our nominal 240 V (+/- 10%) compared to 220/230 V(+/- 10%) was enough to cause these intermittent failures. The motors fitted to the units now shipped to Australia are fitted with a motor with stronger windings to suit our slightly higher voltage. The equivalent units supplied in Europe and the UK may not be fitted with this stronger motor and hence any unit bought from an overseas dealer may be subject to failure in Australia. All units supplied in Australia by Microclene Australia are tested individually under Australian conditions and supplied with a serial number for any warranty issues. Failed units which do not have this Australian label will not be serviced by Microclene Australia. The dealer overseas should be contacted for any warranty concerns.
I trust this clarifies this issue- if anyone would like more specific information I can be contacted via the microclene website.
kind regards
Stephen Diver

[Neal]

First of all sorry this is looking like a hijack of your article Groggy it was certanly not meant to be, just mentioning a means of saving a dollar.
Thanks Stephen for clearing up the warranty facts, I have done some research & am confident of no problems from my unit (when it gets here).
Anyhow off to pull the head in now,

[Groggy]

Neal, no worries from me.

The point of the review was to give readers an idea of what the unit is like. Warranty is important for an item like this so a discussion of the pros and cons should help those trying to decide.

Having Stephen Diver from Microclene drop in to clarify things certainly helps too. (I did not contact him in case anyone was wondering )

[Rob from Kew]

First of all sorry this is looking like a hijack of your article Groggy it was certanly not meant to be, just mentioning a means of saving a dollar.
Thanks Stephen for clearing up the warranty facts, I have done some research & am confident of no problems from my unit (when it gets here).
Anyhow off to pull the head in now,

Neal,

I assume you have received the Microclene unit from the UK by now. Is the unit working okay and did you replace the plug with an Australian plug or do you use an adaptor? I was told by Toolpost to replace the plug. Th cost saving buying the unit from the UK is quite substantial even after allowing for shipping costs.

Rob

[Neal]

Hi yes the unit arrived safe n sound with Australian plug supplied has not had a lot of use yet as there are Mt roads to conquor on the Trumpy more than the desire to make wood dust, but happy with service/ product so far its like said above wty versus the $ your call, I have faith in the product & with my decision.

Cheers

[Jim Carroll]

Microclene have given us an updated price list for 2011.

There is big reductions in the pricing of all of their units.

They have been very aware of all comments good and bad on the forum and this is reflected in the new direction they are going with these products.

They know they have some of the best and inovative room air filters on the market and want to get more woodies protected from the harmfull airborne dust.

Have a look here at the updated prices

Remember these units are covered by the full australian warranty.
Any units purchased form overseas will not be covered by the australian importers

[Sawdust Maker]

Jim

Can I send mine back for a refund and buy a new one at these prices

[BobL]

It would be interesting to know a bit more about what the Microclene specification for filtration means.
ie "Filters particles down to a mean size of 0.4µm"

Since no filter can filter 100% at any particle size the industry standard specification for HEPA filters is expressed as "xx.xx% of particles of y microns or greater", are filtered.

A reasonable specification is x=99.97% and y = 0.3 microns

[hughie]

A good review on a workshop necessity, thanks.

I have been looking at dust collection and building my own for quite awhile. At the moment the need is not critical for the shed...see Turning forum for details.

I have looked at Bill Pentz's web site and have downloaded all the relevant info and intend to build a general cyclonic dust collector which will be housed out side the workshop. As I have a couple of decent dust fans that will make good units for a cyclone.

I think I will also fit ventilation fans and vents to each end of the shed as well, for a reasonable portion of the years I get a prevailing breeze blowing over the shed and will orientate my vents etc to catch this breeze as well.