Dust Collection ?

[jarhead]

How do any of you run ducting for dust collection?

I was thinking of using PVC tubing under my bench and having "T's" at each point I want to cathch dust and chips.

What size would be best for suction?

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Joe

 

[MXtras]

I have a very nice collection of dust.

Seriously - what size vacuum source are you using and what are the lengths of the runs? What type of source is it (vacuum cleaner, dust collector, etc) and what is the inlet diameter? What is the basic layout of the piping run? - all of these things effect the design of a decent transfer system. I have designed many vacuum systems over the years - mainly for cutting machines to hold the material to the table, but the principal is the same as your goal.

Scott

 

[PAToyota]

Rockler has a pretty good discussion of what to consider when setting up a system: http://www.rockler.com/articles/display_article.cfm?story_id=3

 

[cc_rider]

The biggest problem with PVC pipe for vacuuming is static electricity. The air rushing through generates tremendous static, which makes dust cling to the pipes like crazy; our old shop had PVC pipe for the shop vacuum, and it was always covered with the very dust we were trying to control! Regular shop vacs suffer from the same problem; I'm gonna try some kind of grounding wire scheme. If you decide on PVC you should run a grounding wire along the whole length of it. Or just use galvanized duct pipe. Comes in similar sizes, lots of fittings available, and is lightweight. Some of the seams may leak compared with solvent-bonded PVC, but that's what duct tape is for. And those handy swivel-elbow dealies are great for making oddball bends and corners.

My plan is to make a 'standard' connection at each of the dust-generating tools, so I can hook up the shop vac directly. I don't have room (or $$) for a centralized unit right now, but I have a couple good-size vacs. I wouldn't bother hooking up the vac for one cut or a little minor sanding, but if I was cutting/sanding any MDF I'd use it; that stuff makes THE WORST dust!

Our big central shop system had a 'gate valve' at each machine, so you could shut off the flow to the unused machines to increase suction at the one in use. Plus another handy thing was a built-in 'dustpan' where you could sweep floor dust over to a wide flat nozzle mounted on the baseboard at floor level, and it would **** up all the debris. Beats stooping with a dustpan.

c.

 

[SteveL]

The air rushing through generates tremendous static, which makes dust cling to the pipes like crazy; our old shop had PVC pipe for the shop vacuum, and it was always covered with the very dust we were trying to control!
c.

At least it keeps you from breathing it in!!!

I have a 6" pvc duct system in my wood shop that runs to a table saw, jointer, planer, router table and drill press that is run off a 1 1/2 hp Jet dust collector and find that the static build up is minimal, but I don't run it 8 hrs a day either. If you can afford metal spiral duct, do it, but the fittings are really expensive. Also, shop vacs are not designed to be used as a dust collector on a machine as the air volume is not there to move the fine dust. If you really want to learn about dust collecting, check out WoodNet.net on the power tool forum and search dust collection. You'll find LOTS of reading there.

 

[jarhead]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I was planning on using my shop vac. It appears it may not be adequate. I dont do allot of wood working but was planning to start.

I may have to re-think this after looking at the links and information provided.

I appreciate it,
Joe

 

[MXtras]

If I can, I will shoot you a pic of the piping I did on the router at work. I am using a Shop Vac for dust collection and it works just fine. I have had the same one in place for about three years and it sees a lot of use - around 10-20 hours a week.

Not 100% sure of the size, but I think it's 1.5". I will see if I can snaek a pic tomorrow and post it up - might give you hope!

Scott

 

[jarhead]

If I can, I will shoot you a pic of the piping I did on the router at work. I am using a Shop Vac for dust collection and it works just fine. I have had the same one in place for about three years and it sees a lot of use - around 10-20 hours a week.

Not 100% sure of the size, but I think it's 1.5". I will see if I can snaek a pic tomorrow and post it up - might give you hope!

Scott

Thanks Scott!

 

[SteveL]

Forgot to mention............if you plan on running the vac to one machine at a time, it will work OK, not great, but OK. But, if you want to hook it to a duct work system for a number of machines, the air volume will not be enough, especially something like a planer or jointer that produce lots of big shavings. Hook the vac directly to them and you should be fine for now. A decent dust collection system will set you back a few hundred bucks plus another $200 - 300 for fittings and pipe and blast gates, etc. My DC has a 30 gal bag and will fill up pretty quick when running the planer, so you can imagine what it would do to a shop vac.

The Harbor Freight dust collector is actually pretty decent and can be had for under $200 is you catch it on sale and add in a 20% coupon. The bags are **** but it will get you off to a decent start.

 

[Robert]

This site has some good info on dust collection.

http://billpentz.com//woodworking/cyclone/index.cfm

Robert

 

[SteveL]

Here's a link to a pretty good deal on a Jet dust collector that should do what you need. Only $100 + shipping

http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=2657300&page=4&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=

 

[joekav]

I've used a 1.5 hp Delta unit and 6" pvc previously. Ran drops to gates along the walls to make it easy to hook up various pieces of equipment. Worked pretty well - though I think stepping up to more horses on the unit itself would've been good.

Also recommend using an air filtration unit to pick up the very fine particulate that will remain suspended. Both JET and Delta make pretty good units. Besides removing dust from the air, these will also help circulate air inside your shop - nice on a warm day if you don't have A/C.

JoeKav
Huntersville, NC

 

[jarhead]

Thanks Guy's

 

[edl]

I've used a 1.5 hp Delta unit and 6" pvc previously. Ran drops to gates along the walls to make it easy to hook up various pieces of equipment. Worked pretty well - though I think stepping up to more horses on the unit itself would've been good.

Also recommend using an air filtration unit to pick up the very fine particulate that will remain suspended. Both JET and Delta make pretty good units. Besides removing dust from the air, these will also help circulate air inside your shop - nice on a warm day if you don't have A/C.

JoeKav
Huntersville, NC

could someone please explain what a "gate" is - picture of a system would be great - HFT has a club (Inside Track - $20) - got their 2hp dust collector for 160 (oh and 11 for shipping ) - but now i need to engineer a duct system - thanks, guys!

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

could someone please explain what a "gate" is - picture of a system would be great - HFT has a club (Inside Track - $20) - got their 2hp dust collector for 160 (oh and 11 for shipping ) - but now i need to engineer a duct system - thanks, guys!

First, do you have a Harbor Freight close? (saves shipping)
Second, do you have a library close, that has some woodworking magazines (especially Wood)? They have an ad every so many months, that twice this year, has listed the dust collector for less. Then occassionally they either have coupons (20% off getting rare these days), and sometimes have one in those Gold C books.
Third, go to HF's website, and search under 93601-0VGA, blast gates are in lower right. Any woodworking website normally has a dust collection discussion where members post pics. (why waste suction through pipes that aren't being used by machines that are off)

 

[edl]

First, do you have a Harbor Freight close? (saves shipping)
Second, do you have a library close, that has some woodworking magazines (especially Wood)? They have an ad every so many months, that twice this year, has listed the dust collector for less. Then occassionally they either have coupons (20% off getting rare these days), and sometimes have one in those Gold C books.
Third, go to HF's website, and search under 93601-0VGA, blast gates are in lower right. Any woodworking website normally has a dust collection discussion where members post pics. (why waste suction through pipes that aren't being used by machines that are off)

many thanks

 

[jarhead]

Thanks Scott!

Were you able to get a picture? I am ready for this phase. I have a few ideas cooked up but always looking for what others did.

Thanks, Joe

 

[Flathead Youngin']

our local library has a book on dust collection...might try your local one...

you can get a pretty good deal on used dust collectors from craigslist.org