Replies

1. 
   saschafer | Jan 02, 2008 09:17pm | #1

   If getting zapped is your concern, then there's no need to put any conductor inside the pipe. Just put it on the outside, and be sure to touch it first before anything else.

   -Steve

    

1. 
   jdoliver | Jan 02, 2008 11:39pm | #2

   Actually, I don't have that big an issue getting zapped - I've been working around electronics for better than 20 years...

   My real issue is the static 'cling' effect that I get in my Clearvue cyclone - looking at reducing that to some extent, which would require the grounding to be on the inside of the ducting.

1. 
   saschafer | Jan 02, 2008 11:57pm | #3

   I don't think one or two ground "straps" are going to help with that. You really need to cover the entire surface, either with a conductive grid of some kind or with a conductive coating (most of which are opaque).

   -Steve

    

2. 
   Don01 | Jan 04, 2008 06:03pm | #4

   When you ground the sides of the cyclone does all of the dust fall to the bottom or just from the part you touched? I had read that PVC will hold a charge but as it is an insulator, the discharge occurs only at the point being grounded. If true, any attempt to ground the pipe using a single point of contact will not be effective.
   I am installing a ClearVue this spring and want to go to 8" mains. Plastic would be an option for this.Don

1. 
   jdoliver | Jan 04, 2008 10:36pm | #5

   Haven't yet done any kind of grounding to my DC system (my present system is temporary, 2 1/2 inch, and based on a shop-vac). I am getting ready to rebuild my primary system with a true dust collector and (primarily) PVC ducting and fittings. My present 2 1/2 inch ClearVue will transition to being my 'bench tool' system, but be attached to 2 1/2 inch based DC (Sears/General).

   The effect I presently see is not related to touching the cyclone, or the ducting - there is just some times, especially when I am cleaning out my router cabinet or floor (when there is a greater quanitity of dust than just off a tool) that I see this. In normal use, I haven't seen this effect.

   I am kind of nervous about inserting anything (wire, for instance) where it would interfere with airflow, or contribute to an obstruction - hence the question about the copper tape. I am familiar with it from using it for grounding at work, but wanted to know if anyone had heard of it being used for this application.

1. 
   Don01 | Jan 04, 2008 11:28pm | #6

   Isn't that baby Clear Vue slick? My brother in law bought one when we got our big cyclones. I wish I would have. He has it in his basement hooked up to a Dewalt planer and a Ridgid shop vac. The shop vac canister has yet to see any dust or shavings from the planer.
   I know you can get metallic tapes but have to question whether or not it would be any more effective inside or out. And how do you monitor the integrity over time.
   Understanding the behavior of the static in the plastic pipe is critical. I will be studying this further before comitting to plastic.Don

2. 
   jdoliver | Jan 05, 2008 02:08am | #7

   My biggest problem with the Clearvue (and I don't think it would matter which one, actually) is this - it's just too cool watching the dust stream going through it.......

   I can't remember if you can access it from Bill Pentz's website, but I read an article not too long ago debunking fire-causing issues with the use of plastic for small shop dust collection systems, stating the biggest dangers wasn't static electricity, but sparks and hot metallic particles (such as when cutting through a nail on the planer or saw) getting into the dust bin, and smoldering until a fire ignites. The biggest issue with static was getting 'zapped', or, as I experience, 'static cling'..

3. 
   BriMcG | Jan 05, 2008 06:16am | #8

   Hi Don, not familiar w/ clear Vue. Is it just a clear section of hose? Who makes it so I can check it out?

   Thx, Brian

4. 
   Don01 | Jan 05, 2008 06:31am | #9

   Brian,Clear Vue is the cyclone commercially manufactured to Bill Pentz's design specification.Have a look at: http://www.clearvuecyclones.com/Bil Pentz site is: http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/index.cfmLots of very good information.Don

5. 
   BriMcG | Jan 05, 2008 08:05am | #10

   Thx Don. Checked it out and I see what you guys mean about it being fun to watch.

   Later, Brian

   Edited 1/5/2008 12:06 am ET by BriMcG

6. 
   kentmich | Mar 10, 2008 06:53pm | #11

   Don - thanks for that link to Bill Pentz's page. Loads of useful information.Regarding static, he says here:
   http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/ducting.cfm#StaticElectricitythat static sparks aren't enough to light a fire. Fire danger is from bits of embedded metal sparking. The danger that static electricty produces is in making you jump while close to spinning blades etc.Best of all, here (the above link) is the cheap and effective solution to grounding your pipes and hoses with aluminum tape at points in the ducting, both inside and outside.VERY glad I learned about this site before I start building my own DC system!