I’m looking for some dust collection solutions. I recently picked up a Cyclone collector, and am looking to install some permanent ducting. I’ve got the regular assortment of tools, and am planning to run 6” diameter pipe to them.<!—-> <!—-><!—->
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My shop is blessed with lots of vertical space. The back portion of the garage is nearly 12 feet high, the front just over 10. I’d like to mount the cyclone in one corner and run the main line diagonally across the shop at 10 feet. This will allow me to come directly off the cyclone inlet without any bends. The problem arises that the cyclone will then be fairly high of the ground. Can I put a longer ‘dust chute’ (the tube to the bin) on the cyclone? Currently it’s a short length of flex tube.<!—-><!—->
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Two tools sit below the garage door… I’d must be able to open the door still, so dropping the pipe from the ceiling down isn’t a good solution. Neither is running it along the floor. Anybody have any clever solutions? I’ve been considering building a cabinet to sit beside the the table saw. The pipe could then be supported by the cabinet under the door… The other alternative would be to rearrange the shop, which is an option. <!—-><!—->
Replies
Adding a longer dust chute should not me a problem. There are many picks on the Oneida Web page showing cyclones mounted high with long runs to the bin. By the time the dust is in the chute the air flow is headed back up and the dust is just falling.
As far as the garage door, you could use a high lift kit so the door opens next to your 10-foot high ceiling. Then run the duct under the open door. I have a car lift in my garage and I had to have the door open higher that a car on the lift. Basically the same problem you are facing. The high lift kit extended the rails up then bends and runs next to the ceiling. The door travels up an extra three feet so it would not extend as far back leaving room to mount the ductwork.
The only problem I had is a beam located to close to the door preventing me from using the original automatic door opener. The solution was to go with a commercial unit mounted on the wall beside the door instead of the homeowner model mounted from the ceiling.
Carriage doors! You can make supports to store your wood above! As in hung from the rafters!
One of the ducts from my cyclone travels over the garage door when it is up along the ceiling, and my ceiling height is only about 8 feet. Surely you must have adequate clearance under your door when it's up to stick the pipe up there?
From there you could bring the duct down to your tools.
Zolton
If you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon
Surely you must have adequate clearance under your door when it's up to stick the pipe up there?
I have room above and below. However, how are the pipes supended below the door... Obviously they can not be hung. I've considered going around the door when up and running the duct along the floor in front of the door. But I enjoy having the door open in summer and the pipe would be a tripping hazard.
I guess what I'm thinking is building a 'structure around the table saw to support the pipe and perhaps allow for a better overhead guard.
Check with the cyclone manufacturer regarding the length of the tube that feeds the dust receptacle. One thought thinks it shouldn't matter, and an other thought thinks maybe the waste should exit the cyclone as quickly as possible.
My ClearVue cyclone comes with a 6" piece of 6" hose for this connection. There is nothing in the instructions about the length requirement for this connection.
The big big caution is, that you ensure there is absolutely no air leakage around the trashcan lid or this tube. Otherwise the air leaking in will reduce the amount of dust that settles out. The air flow will carry the dust through to the exhaust filters, which you do not want. Ideally all of your dust will end up in the trash can. Realistically, I hope you see results in the very high 90's.
Don
Instead of a longer pipe at the bottom of the collector put a taller drum under it. If you already have 45 gallon drums then make a wood box to drop the chips into. The extra capacity is welcome when planing/jointing.
A larger bin was next on the question list. I currently has a 35 Gallon drum. Even for a hobbyist that is small.
Oneida got back to me. There is no problem with a longer 'dust chute', however they suggested anything longer than 1' should be hard piped.
Thanks everybody for the suggestions on the piping as well. I'm going to revisit it when I move my machines back into the shop, and see if I can come up with a better layout first. Otherwise, I'll mount the cyclone a little lower, and run the pipe under the level of the door.... I'll still have about 9ft of headroom.
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