I searched the internet and read books to do the best I could and I see I managed to get some things right. How to Size Dust Collector Ductwork? PVC can not ground by itself, and the fact that it is a good insulator increases the static buildup much higher than metal. I would either go all 4, or remove the 6x4x4x4 reducer and go 6 for your main trunk. Thank you.
Paul-WWGOA.
If you use PVC, particularly 6 where there is so much overlap at the joints, you shouldnt need to seal most of your joints. Regards, Love your approach. Machining Services |, Company Information & History | Thanks for this. If using PVC, why not cement them together? I will let you know, though. In most cases, flanged ducting is throw away. Toward my goal of oversimplification, I offer the D.O.G. Whether you need one special fitting or a thousand custom parts, we fabricate many custom components to meet the needs of our diversified customer base. How to Install Nordfab Ducting, Step One: Layout the Machinery of Your Shop. Thanks I was also wondering how you configured the on/off system for your tools? The real danger is having a spark occur at the same time. This would mean I will need a fitting (at least a coupling) everywhere I want to use flex hose.
I used the standard PVC J hooks used to hang plumbing pipe to hang the pipe and 4 flex to connect from the blast gate to the machines. Typical metal ductwork can dissipate this fairly easily, as it is often attached to metal building structure parts. Step Three: Figure out the Total CFM Required For Your Whole System. Dust collector ductwork is divided into two main categories, hard fixed ducting and flexible hose ducting. My shop is located in a basement and space is tight so I have to use the manifold. Great article. It will require a 60-degree elbow to make the run perpendicular. up. Add screws wherever needed to secure joints. I just tucked one side in, and then reached through the other end of the coupler and pull the flex pipe into the coupler. Here is the experts response, thank you for the question: I havent tried it, but it seems like it might be too soft and could potentially collapse. As far as attaching the flex pipe to the coupler, I just tuck it inside and there is enough friction to hold it on place. This would be easily able to cause an explosion if the right amount of dust was floating in the air at the time. Preventative Maintenance | Hi Rick.
For accuracy, use grid paper and indicate the exact location of each dust port. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts on this. HI, PR and other US Territories will be quoted at current rates. Does PVC need to be grounded (or can it be grounded)? Ensure that each machine is continuously grounded to the dust collector frame with a ground screw, as shown in Figure 40. We recommend inserting a, continuous bare copper ground wire (see Figure 40) inside, the entire duct system and attaching the wire to each.
I know this from experience. Paul-WWGOA, Thank you for all the great information. grounded woodworking machine and dust collector. What Are the Different Types of Dust Collector Ducting? PVC duct systems are common in hobbyist woodworking shops but users are encouraged to perform their own due diligence to verify their insurance coverage. I am in the country with a bush beside my shop so I plan on piping directly to the out side with the out let, Hi Ron. After years of searching the plumbing depts for fittings to connect different tools I now look at how a tool will connect BEFORE I buy it and sometimes buy the brand that put more forethought into connecting to my dust collection system. Do you recommend reducing the run to 4 to the miter saw box to increase air velocity? Im still flip-flopping over which piece of PVC (pipe or fitting) I want attached to the flex, based on what is going where in the shop and how much moving will happen. I have an 8 foot stroke sander as well as a small belt sander and blow up sander, would I need to run separate runs to each of these. I dont know I only know that they wont cover it if they can lay the blame there. Or would it be better to wait till I have a enough for a cyclone and then run bigger pipes for the whole system? Paul.
Woodworking Hobby Shop metal dust pipe, fittings and hose. Example: A system where the main trunk line is 6" in diameter (representing 615 CFM) is connected to a machine that requires 395 CFM (4" diameter), you would add 615 + 395 = 1010 which would require a 7" duct. Your target is 4000 ft/min, and youll start to have serious problems at anything below 2000. Ive reconfigured the design to have a dedicated straight 20 run to the table saw, and either a 14 continuation to the chop saw, or a third dedicated 31 run to it. Thanks for all your help this week. That means you will likely have to modify tool ports on some tools, which I will discuss a bit later in the article. Our dust collector ducting is designed to withstand high air pressure, minimize air resistance and reduce static pressure loss making it ideal for material handling applications. I learned that no insurance company will cover a fire that they can claim arose from a dust collection system not made from grounded metal piping. Love the system but for one thing: Insurance companies (Pretty sure every single one of them) will not cover a house fire if there is a non metallic DC system and they can claim that the fire started there. One of the other members here wrote that he saw and felt a very large spark when he was dumping his bags. I am planing to build a new dedicated shop and have many drawings of my tools placement and ducts layout. Problem is, the wiring is all done for the DC in a certain place in the shop.
Its slippery enough, and once it dries its stickier than using nothing.
Updated hourly. The max run is 57 horizontal plus 10 vertical. Before you say, I cant afford a dust collection system or fume collection system or I cant wait months for delivery, we can help you make it possible!
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Just like working in your shop for 20 years with no problem, or driving 50,000 miles with no accident, does not mean it cant happen to you. Thanks so much for your advice!
I have a big harbor frieght dust collector for the big machines. I dont like using duct tape, or caulk, on ducts as I feel it is not necessary on PVC. Frequently Asked Questions Combustible Dust Custom Manufacturing Technical Data, Shop Online Dust Collection Catalog Shipping Information International Shipping.
But if I didnt have good access to PVC pipe and fittings, I would be comfortable going with metal as well. Its like having ABS in your car, you might not know how many times it saves you. Smooth on the inside. When I reached out to touch it, the spark arched about 6 and snapped quite loudly. I know now though I used too much flex hose thats for sure! Because this type of hose has a rough interior and flaccid nature, it causes substantial static pressure loss resulting in higher energy usage which can affect system performance. It depends on the impeller size and several other variables, and Id suggest running your question by Powermatic, but my guess is that you would be ok running a short main trunk of 6, dropping down to 4 for the tools. Thanks The sharp point and threads of the screw inside the ductwork will tend to catch and hold onto small pieces of wood chips that can build up over time. The soap seems like a worthwhile trick to try. For purposes of this article I will assume that you have worked with your vendor to choose a dust collector that is capable of delivering enough air flow (ideally 1000 cubic feet per minute at 4000 feet per minute) at each tool to remove all of the fine dust that it produces (bare minimum 2HP with 12 impeller for 400 sq. Where can I find all of yours.
Air Handling Systems is proud to support the following industrial trade shows. Step Two: Draw a Top-Down View Sketch (to Scale) Of Your Machines and Dust Collector. Privacy Policy | I want to use pvc ducting and your article gives me a good start. Look for someone who can provide both FPM and CFM. All-metal ductwork is used in nearly every industrial and commercial application.
O is for Open. As Nordfab's largest distributor, we remain committed to bringing you the highest value products and services as well as to providing transparency related to our pricing. Do not forget to connect the, wires to each other with wire nuts when two branches, Ensure that the entire system is grounded. Proper duct design is perhaps the least understood topic related to dust collection, and it is critical that you study on this to get it right in your shop. The goal is to make long gentle transitions so that dust doesnt slow down too much going around curves and through reductions in pipe size. The thinner and lighter the PVC, the easier to work with. My concern is not with dust that is moving inside the duct, but with the static that is discharged when nearby events such as cleanup with an air hose, sweeping, or emptying dust bags creates a dust cloud. As far as piping that dust collector for 6, it depends on the actual CFM capability of the system (most DCs are rated much higher than they actually deliver), and the length of your duct runs. Usually when we see a cloud of dust in the shop, we think about not breathing in too much of it. Id be concerned about velocity dropping too low and having dust settling in the line. Include the CFM requirements for each dust port. I have learned all this and more by going it alone with my first system. Spiral pipe is up to 20% stronger than smooth pipe systems, due to spiral reinforcement in manufacturing process. Simple method of small shop dust collection ductwork design: First you need to choose a material for your duct work. I looked thru your pics and text and dont see anywhere where you have 6 flex over PVC pipe, only inside PVC fittings.
Also, consider spiral pipe which is more durable and easier to seal, although more costly. They fit right in four inch vacuum hose and their only shortfall is the two 3/4 inch square slots they cut in them for some reason. Attach ducts to a stud using plumbers strapping. The design discussed above in the Other ducting suggestions / Extra ports provides good access for clearing any log jams as well as facilitating extension. Note: It is likely that the CFM requirements of your machine will not match the chart exactly.
Paul, I am also about to set up a 6 system. After doing more research, I will admit that you are correct in most cases. ft. shop, but do yourself a favor and dont skimp). X-Treme Tape, Self fusing silicone rubber tape 20 ft. roll, $14.99 Go for the bigger machine and pipe to each tool. The total for your entire shop may exceed your dust collectors capacity. Secondly, if you have a means of demonstrating the explosiveness of wood dust in simulated small shop ductwork, I would like to collaborate with you to produce a video on this topic if you are interested, as this would be received extremely well by the woodworking community. Seal the joints? I go back and forth from tool to tool so frequently that I am nearly certain I would make many quick cuts without dust collection if I were setup that way. New shop in new house, so I installed a Harbor Freight DC, Oneida Dust Deputy, 4 ABS for most of system, and a blast gate at each drop. If your system leaks, you are literally wasting money. Additional charges may apply. In any case I am leaning heavily towards using PVC. Thanks, one of the best and simplistic explanations on the web. You will need to buy from either a dust collection vendor or a HVAC vendor who carries heavier gauge ductwork.
They open all the way and dont have any buildup like gate valves (even to good metal ones). Hi Noah. These are just a few examples of how we service pollution control. The shop/garage is 16x24. Combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air under certain conditions according to OSHA. How Much CFM Do I Need for Dust Collection? A remote control really helps. Then make sure to seal the joint with aluminum tape. I have overfilled the dust collector a few times since, but no more shocks of that magnitude. For most small shop environments, however, I am confident that if you follow these basic guidelines to design your ductwork and power it with a dust collector that is capable of pulling through an adequate volume of air, you will be pleased (or even amazed) with the performance. I love it! There are many options out there. Air Handling Systems handles fabrication and inventory. We advise against using duct tape, its unsightly, the fabric deteriorates and it doesnt have elasticity. If machine two has a dust port that is 3" when it connects to the main duct (where the 4" duct from machine one connects), you will add the CFM from the chart: different shops, so I have never bothered with grounding mine. Companies that specialize in dust collection are much better versed on duct design, and in general where you find snaplock pipe they sell larger size pipe. 220 + 395 = 615 which would be a 5" duct. As it is quite cheap here in the UK? In applied terms you can think of static pressure as the force that restricts air flow. Does the flex not fit over the pipe? If there is emerging data in this area then I want to be informed, and I believe that there will be widespread interest across our readership as well. Keeping in mind that Im the only one using the shop and the fact that I can only run one machine at a time I ran 4 inch PVC to each machine. Hello Don, Great article! Ive had a 2HP cyclone dust collector for years, its a collection of home improvement store galvanized pipe (probably a combination of 26-30 gauge, I never really check) and high quality smooth elbows and wyes purchased from a variety of mail order sources.
Even among standard promulgated by the same standards-developing organization, the definitions vary significantly.. If a grounding medium is not available to prevent static, electrical build up, the electrical charge will arc to the, nearest grounded source. . Air Compressors | Bandsaws | Boring Machines | CNC Routers | Door Machines | Any thoughts? check out grizley they have a very good dust pipe assortment TOP SHELF !!!!!!! He has a Delta 50-761 (2100 cfm, 2hp, 8 in-H2O static pressure drop). To protect against static electrical build up inside a nonconducting, duct, a bare copper wire should be placed, inside the duct along its length and grounded to the dust, collector. Without going on too long here, see the directions from Shop Fox above. Watch the next newsletter for specifics on how I optimized dust collection at various tools in my shop. I would recommend a separate drop for each tool. Cool! On my third now and it works great. But I recognize the investment in time and $ is significant, so portable dust collection is a worthy consideration as well. Essentially this would reduce static pressure in the overall system with increased air speed right at the tool itself.
This supports the use of PVC as safe. Youll have to keep an eye on low spots in the line and disconnect after a month or so to see if you have dust settling in the line which can become a major problem over time. If this is the case, blast gates should be implemented to isolate machines that are not in use away from the dust collector system by closing the appropriate blast gate. Its not as quick as using the coupler, but it is not too bad. These are unprecedented times and we are committed to protecting both our employees and our communities.
We will remain open for business performing essential operations during this crisis, supplying industrial, military, and healthcare operations with our products. An old shop vacuum barrel collects the dust and chips under the dust deputy. I have not personally done scientific analysis in this area, but anecdotally I am not aware of a prevalence of explosions due to non-grounded PVC ducting.