Replies

1. 
   Railyn | Feb 26, 2007 12:56am | #1

   You are using only one machine at a time so hook them all up. You should be using stop/gates at each machine.

2. 
   forestgirl | Feb 26, 2007 01:00am | #2

   "How many machines can you hook up to the Delta 1.5HP dust collector?"  You can hook up as many as you want.  The limit applies to how many are running at the same time, and unless you're very clever or are working with someone else, it'd probably only be one, right?  Just use blast gates to close the unused machines off, protecting air flow.

   You'll want the machine that's requires the most CFM (probably table saw) to reside closest to the dust collector.  Use solid pipe as much as you can, as the corrugated flexible plastic stuff robs CFM from your system, big-time.  Personally, I've found that the jointer is the easiest tool to use a vacuum on, and in your situation I'd be inclined to use the dust collector for the miter saw, and if I had to leave a tool out, it'd be the jointer -- that would have a big shop-vac attached.  Miter saws simply spew dust all over the place.  A hood in back with a dust fitting will help alot.  See these pics for one idea (which still needs improvement....read on).

    

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

1. 
   Wanda200 | Feb 26, 2007 02:41am | #4

   Hi,

   OMG, more to this than I thought. Just happens I was looking through my Lee Valley mag last night and came across a section on dust collection systems, Otherwise I would have a clue what Blast gates were.

   On page 75 they have a Dust Collection Network (here's a description ... 2" dia pipe network. The kit contains enough parts to develop a collection system that will support connection of up to 5 machines or areas with one central dust collector. It comes with 9 pipe sections (27' in total, 2" O.D., 1 7/8" I.D.) five pipe couplings, 4 TY connectors, five blast gates, 2 90 degree elbows, 2 45 degree elbows, 12 mounting brackets, 1 vacuum connector, and mounting hardware. The clear polypropylene components asemble with a snug fit.

   Can be used with a shop vacuum(min. 100cfm rating and a 2 1/2" dia. hose inlet) or a Central Vacuum system.  Now they also sell a  2 1/2" hose and 4" Adapter set (80" hose and 4" Adapter for $20.50   The 2 1/2" dia. by 80" long hose attaches into blast gate and the hose end attaches into a machine.

    I suppose I'd need at least 2 of those 2 1/2" X 80" long hoses. (table saw, planer) possibly 1 more if I want to connect up the router table.

   Forest Girl have you ever looked at this system by LeeValley? I suppose I could be cheap and just hook up one  machine at a time directly to the dust collector. and forget about all those extraneous parts and connectors. Looks like a good system though. $88.50 (Can.)

   Some people I know would tell me I'm just wasting money by investing in a dust collection system. They'd just say to wear a mask.

   What are your thoughts on this Dust Collection system?

   Wanda

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 26, 2007 09:35am | #7

   "What are your thoughts on this Dust Collection system?"  Slow down!  Spend yet more time reading about dust collection.

   Two-and-a-half inch hose is not what you need.  You want to run at least 4" hose wherever you can, and downsize as clost to the tool as possible.

   I don't have time to go through Dust Collection A-Z (and I'm no expert anyway).  Take the time to read about it, find a book or go to Bill Pentz's site (or both).  I'm a firm believer that buying anybody's kit is not the way to go.  You'll buy stuff you don't need, and miss stuff you do need.  Here's the link to Bill's site, but it's less daunting if you get a book to look at first.

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

   I'll suggest you start with the "Basics" section first (scroll down past the index):http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/DustCollectionIntroduction.cfm

   PS:  Your DeWalt planer, if it's a 735, will jet the shavings out at high speed.  Don't put it too close to the dust collector, and definitely don't try to fit a 2.5" hose to it.  4"

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   Edited 2/26/2007 1:41 am by forestgirl

2. 
   forestgirl | Feb 26, 2007 09:39am | #8

   The other option is to use 3 or 4 of the plastic corrugated 4" hoses, no more than 6'-8' long for the table saw, longer is OK for the DeWalt 735 and the jointer, and situate your tools around the dust collector such that you can connect to one, then the other, as needed.  This is more or less what I'm doing now.  It's a pain, but it has to do until I get the shop to where I can run pipe.

   I use quick-connect fittings on the end of each hose, and blast gates on short sections of hose comming from the DC.  The blast gates not only enable me to shut off a hose when needed, they also fit the quick connects quite well.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   Edited 2/26/2007 1:42 am by forestgirl

3. 
   Buster2000 | Feb 26, 2007 10:41pm | #9

   Wanda,

   I'm with Forestgirl on this.  Rather than thinking of this a tool purchase, think of it more as a safety device purchase.  There are multiple reason for getting dust collection.  Removed chips/shavings/dust from the shop.  Piles of fine wood are of course a fire hazard as well as a slipping/tripping hazard.  As well breathing dust, in particular fine dust is a health hazard.

   Dust collection is much more than the 'tool' sitting in the corner; it's a system of dust hoods, pipes, gates, and filters.  The idea to take as much dust and chips out of the shop as possible.  I think the biggest mistake people make is they buy the collector and try to design a system afterwards.  This is one of those personal decision you'll have to make, what system is nest for your shop.

   The options for collectors is staggering.  Bill Pentz has one of the best web sites on dust collection available.  He pushes Cyclones as the ideal solution but don't let that deter you too much, a cyclone isn't for everybody.  Use the information available to make the best decision for your shop.

   Buster

1. 
   ewdysar | Feb 27, 2007 04:46am | #10

   I recently bought the Delta 1.5 DC as a cheap (kind of) upgrade from a shop vac.  Though I considered a system of pipes, hoses and gates, I don't have a dedicated space for any of my tools so my shop space moves around too much.  Instead I've been hooking up the DC with a 10 foot section of clear hose and that seems to work quite well.  It's only a little bit of a hassle press fitting the hose onto each tool as I prepare to use it, I've got the flared quick adapter on the end of the hose, but it's just another quick step after getting the tool into position for use.  When I get enough space to stop moving each piece of machinery, I might add a hard line set-up, but for now my system is cheap and effective.  It's my understanding that a more elaborate collection network will take more vacuum than the Delta will provide, so that step will take another round of investment.

   Have fun, make stuff.

   Eric

1. 
   Buster2000 | Feb 27, 2007 07:35am | #11

   Of course.  I think this is where most of us begin.  I did not mean to imply the only duct collection systems are those that are piped in, I meant that they should all be considered when making a decision.

   I use a 2HP system on most tools, and a shop vac on a few I haven't modified to use the 4" pipe.  It works well, but I think I can do more.

   I think we should do everything we can to collect as much dust as possible, in particular the small stuff.  However I think too many people consider the dust collector (cyclones in particular) as the answer when in reality dust collection is only as good as it's weakest component.  It's silly to buy a cycone, then not modify your tools to collect the dust most efficiently.

2. 
   Wanda200 | Feb 28, 2007 01:18am | #12

   Hi,

   I've got a tremendous amt of reading to do before I make any major purchases.  Thanks for the Link on dust collection.

   For now I'll just use the shop vac I have.

   Wanda

3. 
   creekwood | Feb 26, 2007 01:38am | #3

   You might want to look at the Steel City dust collector. I just got one, and am hooking it up to several machines also. It's 1.5 hp, and it does a good job. The size of your room doesn't really matter, just the ability to get hooked up to your tools.

   '

4. 
   Toolnaround | Feb 26, 2007 04:22am | #5

   I'm a firm believer in a dust collection system. I currently have the delta 1.5hp. Instead of upgrading to a cyclone system (which is ideal), I put a cartridge filter on the delta and only use it on one tool at a time with blast gates and very short runs...which helps immensely. The key is not fast moving air so much as a greater volume of air. I even considered taking off the split air inlets to install a 6" main line and branching down to 5"or 4" tool attachments. If you want more information than you could imagine, you might read these articles:

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

   http://www.wynnenv.com/35A_series_cartridge_kit.htm

   Hope this helps.        

1. 
   rm | Sep 03, 2007 07:51am | #13

    

   I have a delta 50-850 DC and, like others, want the most out of it.  I plan to put it the garage and plumb it through the wall into my shop to save space.  I've read Billpentz.com and other sources and want to go with a 6" fixed run for about 15' down the one wall of my shop with take offs and blast gates to my table saw / planner / jointer with flex hose (all within 3-5' of the fixed run).  I'm mainly concerned with collecting the larger debris.  But....here the confusion starts - Billpentz says 'Don't do like many and run a 6" trunk line then come off with smaller duct or flex hose'.  So should this DC only be run with 4" ducting?

   My main question before I started reading Billpentz was whether or not anyone knew if there is something on the market to replace the twin manifold on the 50-850 to a single 6" take off.  I was planning to use galvanized heating duct.  

   Maybe I should read some more as it seems there is more to this...

   Thanks

1. 
   bsutton | Sep 07, 2007 08:38pm | #14

   I have a Delta 1-1/2 HP collector.  I ran 4" PVC pipe (the thin wall stuff) from the collector to several drops at my machines.  I have blast gates at each and 4" flex from there.  I also have several feet of flex at the DC connecting the PVC and a trash can knock-out.  It works fine, not perfect, but it handles my 3 HP planer with no problem.  Use 45 deg laterals where possible.  I put it all together with sheet metal screws in case of pluggage, but that's never been a problem.

   Dust collection is a complex subject, but for the one-man, home shop it doesn't have to be rocket science.  I read all of the conventional wisdom before building my system and violated several of the rules, but it works well for my needs.  There are a lot of people out there that will tell you that you have to spend thousands of dollars on dust control and if you want an industrial quality design , you probably do.  But if you just want to manage the shavings and sawdust, then you can get by with a lot less. 

   Almost all of the shavings on my shop floor come from my hand planes.

5. 
   bobbronner | Feb 26, 2007 05:56am | #6

   I recently upgraded from a shop vac type system to a 1.5hp delta system. You won't be sorry. I too have a small shop (only a little larger than yours) and have a Table saw, planer, router table and bandsaw hooked up using 4" PVC sewer pipe and 4" flex hose. The key is using blast gates at each machine.

   2 things I would advise you on.

   1. Use metal blast gates. I had the plastic ones and they get clogged and won't close properly after only a short time making the airflow poor.

   2. Buy a remote starter. You can get one for $45.00 (woodcraft, grizzly, klingspore etc...) I was great about turning my collector on for the first week on every cut, but then I got a lazy when only making one or two cuts. Get the remote and hook it on your belt or put it in your pocket and you won't have an excuse NOT to turn it on.

   Adding a good dust collector is the best addition to my shop I could have made. Far better than adding another tool to cut/shape wood. Oh, and my wife doesn't complain about dust in the house anymore. Ok, well not as much!

   Good luck.