I searched all of the posts here and found numerous threads about dust collectors, PVC/ABS use, etc.. I was hoping to find some info about how you deal with connecting up equipment. In particular, I am wondering if your equipment is always connected to the collector and you use blast gates or do you disconnect and reconnect all the time.
The table saw is my biggest concern since if I leave it connected all the time, then I have to deal with a 4″ flex hose laying on the floor. The remainder of my equipment is aligned against walls but the table saw needs to be centrally located for my shop to work so it is in the middle of the floor. This seems like its going to be a trip hazard.
Any suggestions or comments on what you have done about this situation. BTW, I’m on a concrete slab so running it under the floor is not an option for me.
Edited 6/3/2002 3:14:40 PM ET by Cuttoff
Replies
I ran flex for years, then got tired of tripping over it and installed 4" spiral duct with blast gates. My joiner, band saw, radial arm, and lathe are all in the middle (all on wheels) and I ran a duct overhead to the middle with a 10' flex that I can hang back to the ceiling when not in use. Just unhook it and place it on the tool that I using at that time. The metal spiral doesn't pick up as much static electricity as plastic. Do put your elbows in so you can get them apart if you have a clog in the system.
Len (Len's Custom Woodworking)
Thanks Len, I was wondering about running it overhead. I guess you need a fairly strong system to do that dont you..? I'm looking at reduced noise since most of my work is done out of the garage and the neighbors are really close. I'm afraid that a system big enough to go overhead would be too noisy.
I used PVC sewer and drain pipe, (thin walled PVC), for my main runs and used plastic flex hose for the rest. If you buy the 50' bulk from Penn state it will slide right over the PVC for clamping. The blast gates are a little tricky but with some duct tape and putting a few slits in the PVC you can get it all mounted and airtight. I have a delta 850 DC and ran most of my piping overhead. Works great!
Good Luck!
Do you know of a manufacturer of blast gates that fit on pvc?
I just used the regular plastic blast gates. The PVC pipe fits over the blast gate but it's kinda sloppy. What I did was wrap a piece of duct tape around the outside of the blast gate fitting, I cut 4 slits in the PVC with my bandsaw, wrapped the PVC end with duct tape to make an airtight seal, and clamped it to the blast gate. It works pretty well and the PVC is a lot cheaper than running anything else that I could find. I got the blast gates from Penn state but i'm sure you can get them anywhere.
-Bill
You will save yourself a lot of pain and trouble buying the alum. blast gates to start with - I know they cost a lot more per unit but they don't jam up with dust and shavings - they are self cleaning out the back of the gate. I wish I would have started with them.
my 2 cents
Robert
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