Replies

1. 
   oldplbr189 | Jan 15, 2006 04:13pm | #1

   Paul,

   Dust collection can be a pretty technical topic. Yes, there is a formula to calculate lost efficiency for increased length, You must also consider getting the exhaust air back to the basement! A collecter will move 1200-2000 CFM, and when it is working, that much air is leaving the basement and entering the attic. So either there will be a raging gale coming down the stairs, you will have trouble opening the doors, or the attic vents will blow out. If you used a cyclone type, you could pipe the exhaust back to the basement but that would increase the mat'l price and chase size req'mts, and further lower efficiency. When I worked in a basement, I used a big shop-vac and moved it around a lot.

   Kep

2. 
   oldplbr189 | Jan 15, 2006 04:59pm | #2

   Paul,

   2nd thoughts about DC in the attic:  you could create a reverse-flow situation with the furnace ( if it is in the basement) creating a carbon monoxide situation thru-out the house.  Try to find room in the basement for the DC.

   Kep

3. 
   QCInspector | Jan 16, 2006 06:58am | #3

   http://www.freecalc.com/ductloss.htm

   Your idea would work, keeping in mind, the issues of makeup air. But I'm wondering how you plan on handling the removal of the collected dust? Sooner or later a plastic bag of dust will bust on its way out through the living space at the worst possible moment in time. Is there anyway that you can mount the dust collector outside beside the house in a lean to or in a garage?

4. 
   Piccioni | Jan 16, 2006 06:26pm | #4

   Three points:

   First: where you locate a dust collector can have a big pmact on heating/cooling

   Second: you gatta empty that bin sometime!

   Third: there is always the possbility a piece of smouldering wood sets your dust bin on fire. There are copious warnings about this in my install manual suggesting you regularly check the dust bin for a fire. Personally, I'd prefer a (potential) fire in my basement (concrete don't burn so good) than my attic (even though I got a smoke detector up there).

5. 
   DennisS | Jan 16, 2006 06:37pm | #5

   Along with the other issues brought to mind, consider also the noise and weight of the machinery. These things aren't all that quiet. If it's placed on the ceiling joists you end up turning the entire ceiling over the space where it's installed into a sounding board. Not a fun thing to be under when it's on. Then think about what it weights and realize that ceiling rafters aren't generally engineered to hold up much weight so you could be overstressing them. While they probably wouldn't fail, you could end up with some popped nails and joints in your ceiling wallboard.

   Lastly, that long vertical run would require a pretty beefy system I'd think to pull stuff that far that high.

   I'd opt to find a way to locate it outdoors if at all possible.

1. 
   GotAll10 | Jan 16, 2006 10:22pm | #6

   Thanks for all the help and advice.

   The noise and emptying are not much of a problem because the attic is above the garage with relatively easy access via pull down stairs.

   After more thought however I think I found a way to fit it in the shop. 

   Always room for just one more tool!

   Paul

1. 
   DennisS | Jan 17, 2006 08:09am | #7

   Paul -If you can fit it in the shop/garage, great, but I'm a real fan of having the thing outdoors. I don't care how good it is, there is still some fine dust leakage around the bag and such. I realize this presents a problem with exhausting conditioned air to the exterior but I don't mind the tradeoff.

2. 
   Scag_man | Jan 09, 2010 08:58pm | #8

   If you're worried about air
   If you're worried about air inbalances between the attic and workshop, just run two parallel pipes up through the floor instead of one. One will be the dust collection pipe, and the other will be open at both ends to allow for return air. You could also put a separater trash can in the shop between tools and the upvent. These work surprisingly well are are really easy to empty. It would collect all the heavy stuff that wouldn't go up 15', and would also catch 80% of the dust. Only the fine dust would go up to the attick and into the bags and it would need be changed infrequently. The only downside I see is that your attic would get dusty from the fine dust that escapes the bags.

1. 
   jhonbaker | Jan 10, 2010 12:21am | #9

   thread from 2006.

1. 
   dgreen | Jan 10, 2010 01:28am | #10

   I see you are catching on to how badly they have screwed up this forum.

   I was impressed with the effort you made to help members with manuals and advice.

   I still maintain that the usefuleness and value of the forum has been trashed, but you are no 18 week wonder. My thanks and appreciation for the help you have offered others here.

6. 
   jrockwoo | Jan 10, 2010 08:44am | #11

   Personal experience - I put a 2HP, 2 stage unit in the attic above my garage, mainly to save space and reduce noise. According to Oneida, the loss of a vertical run over a horizontal run is negligible compared to the loss from the distance. I love having mine in the attic until it comes time to empty the unit. I've had to take my shop vac up to in the attic several times to clean up the mess. Also, out of sight = out of mind - I've let it overfill a few times; almost an hour to clean everything up one time. I'm moving my barrel back down to the garage as soon as I get the most recent project out of the way.