Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 28, 2008 06:49am | #1

   A couple of thoughts, while I'm waiting for a program to download on this incredibly slow DSL line.

   (a) Read about Grounding PVC and Other Myths to give you the other side of the DC static argument.  It's a bit of a chore to get through it, but it's worth the read -- may save you even more time down the road.

   (b) a Shop Vac isn't going to work very well with much ducting attached to it. 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   andyfew322 | Oct 28, 2008 07:02am | #2

   the shopvac will be fine (my shop is 8'X13' and most tools are on one side) 

    

   I'm just sayin'

1. 
   nazard | Oct 28, 2008 08:20am | #3

   Andy,

   I have a Rigid shop vac connected to a Clearvue mini-cyclone.  My shop is plumbed throughout with 2" PVC.  Drill press and mortiser have flexible nozzle hookups.  Overhead blast gates at convenient locations.  This system works quite well for all general cleanup chores but I doubt that it would function well as a DC.

   A central vac system operates on a high static pressure (suction) but does not move much CFM.  The extended PVC piping does not appreciably reduce the working suction of the system.

   Best of luck!

   -Jerry

2. 
   Rich14 | Oct 28, 2008 04:17pm | #4

   forestgirl,Great article.Thanks,Rich

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 28, 2008 06:11pm | #7

   You are most welcome!  Thanks to the author. ;-)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   bones | Oct 28, 2008 05:51pm | #5

   I have a full size DC and use the shop vac (sears) on a RAS.  It was too far away to justify the duct material.  I used flex 4" everywhere.  I got the decent grade from Woodcraft. Stay away from the real cheap stuff.  I bought some 4" to 2 1/4 (or half I cant remember) adapters so that I can just pop the hose in when I need it.  It does a good job. You have to empty it regularly.  For the rest of my tools I have one long section that had a quick connect adapter so as I used each piece I could just pop it on the tool and then use it and keep the cost down.  I think I have 4 sections of 4" total(10' each).  Wood craft puts it on sale regularly.  I wanted the metal duct, but it was just too expensive for me.  Don't wory about the static stuff.  Yes you will get some static some times, but the explosion stuff is a myth. 

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
3. 
   Dave45 | Oct 28, 2008 05:54pm | #6

   You should be fine with any smooth walled duct material (PVC, ABS, sheetmetal, etc) as long as you keep the run(s) as short and straight as possible.

   Fluid dynamics is a very complex subject, but basically you want enough flow in your ducting to carry the dust all the way from the tool to the collector. Long runs, changes in flow direction, and rough duct walls will have a big impact on the flow rate. For example, a 90* elbow may add only 12" of length to the duct run, but can add as much flow resistance as several feet of straight duct.

   That corregated, flexible, hose is a real flow killer, so use as little of it as possible.

   The need to ground the ducting seems to be mostly an urban myth. Static charges will build up, and are annoying, but the stories about dust explosions usually involve someone's cousin's ex-wife's second husband's neighbor. I have yet to see a report of a home shop dust explosion resulting from static electricity.

4. 
   Buster2000 | Oct 28, 2008 10:27pm | #8

   I recently installed a central vac system in my basement.  The stuff would be perfect for a small dust collection system.  My local home depot had it, but I don't know the price (my stuff was left over from the upper floors).

   I realize that money is probably a little tight, but if you;re trying to reduce the amount of dust I think you may be dissapointed in this system.  You really need high CFM to collect dust, which is something that a shop vac just doesn't have.  Further unles syou have some sort of pre-separator you'll find yourself having to empty it often...  Then again it depends on your tools.

   Keep us updated.

1. 
   andyfew322 | Oct 28, 2008 10:34pm | #9

   I wouldn't fill it up too fast, I only work weekends, and less during the summers 

    

   I'm just sayin'

1. 
   Buster2000 | Oct 29, 2008 12:11am | #10

   What machines do you have in your shop.  I see from your profile that your 15, so I assume you haven't shelled out for a planer or jointer yet.  In my shop these are the big dust/chip producers.

   I guess the real question is: what are you going to hook your dust collection up to?  Certain machines would work well (Bandsaw, router table, drill press and I've used it on a chop saw with some success).  Others jointer, planer, table saw, you just will not draw enough air.  Though my table saw has a blade shroud that would help a little.

1. 
   andyfew322 | Oct 29, 2008 12:55am | #11

   routertable, chopsaw, bandsaw, TS(with blade shroud), Drill press. Never running two at a time 

    

   I'm just sayin'

5. 
   Mackwood | Oct 29, 2008 05:55pm | #12

   Andy,

   I'll fifth or sixth the nix on the explosion hazzard.  Everything I've read suggests this MAY happen in huge systems but not to worry in a home shop situation. 

   Regards

   Mack

   "Close enough for government work=measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an axe"