Splitting 4 inch line on dust collector
shield45
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
I have a grizzly dust collector with a 4-in port and I wanted to split it so that I could use the bottom that goes to the table saw and then also have a overhead collection system. I bought a adapter and split it to a two and a half inch port it has very little suction power to it, the grizzly unit has 537 CFM but I’m curious to see the opinion is if this is enough to split the system and have enough suction, can anyone tell me what they have experienced when they split the system
Replies
That collector is really sized for a single machine, but you can split it and do short runs of pipe if you only have one opening in use at a time and the other capped. For the small collector I would not use blast gates... they leak.
When you "split" the pipe both outlets should remain 4" openings for as long as possible. Use gradual "street" elbows, not sharp 90's to improve airflow. Every bend robs efficiency. Keep the runs at 4" until the last possible spot if you are reducing to a smaller diameter for a hose to a smaller inlet tool.
Thanks, I will try that or if I can find a way to get a new unit with 2 ports and more power would be nice but I can look
Thanks!
I don't know how you can have multiple runs without blasts gates. Do they leak, yes, but not nearly as much as having an open 4" port.
Also I would not count on your dust collector handling small tool dust collection. Small outlet tools need high static pressure, such as is created by vacuums. Shop dust collectors rely on CFM but create very little static pressure and thus are best handling larger machines that create larger chips and quantities of dust. Leave the sanders and routers to your shop vac.
In my opinion your collector is only going to work with one machine and short runs of pipe/hose. To do a multi outlet system your dust collector really needs to be at least a 2hp model preferably 3hp.
Because if electrical limitations in my shop I was force to use a larger 1½hp that produces almost 3 times the CFM and it is proving to be inadequate to supply 25' of 4" duct
To put it in perspective my 12" planer/jointer recommends a minimum cfm of 650.
Designing dust collection systems is complicated and not something I consider myself an expert at but I do know your small dust collector will be most effective if you have it mobile and roll it from station to station as needed with short 10' or less hose. You can use one the quick connector system such as Rockler to facilitate ease of switching machines.
I should have added... keep the unused outlet capped. When I had a similar system I kept a rubber cap on the unused outlet. It added a step, but did not leak at all.
I wanted to have the unit handle my TS and to also use it to collect the dust the blade throws on top but there is very little pressure on top so this is my issue, I don't really have 400-500 to spend right now on a new unit.
I have a similar setup on my table saw and similar issues and even with a 1357 CFM dust collector after about 15' of 4" ductwork a 4"x 2½"x 4" wye I get very little suction on the 2½" hose on my blade guard. Again it comes down to CFM vs Static Pressure and impeller style dust collectors, while they can move a lot of air(CFM) they create very little static pressure which is what you need on smaller outlets. Without an investment in a more powerful system I don't think you will find a solution. Maybe use your shop vac for the blade guard collection.
PS. More than likely to get a system powerful enough to do what you want the price tag will be $2-3,000 plus a 240v electric line
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