I am designing my DC system...well, OK most of the design is done. Alas,
I have a wimpy 1 HP Delta DC which I hope works out. It is the typical
PVC 4" system.
From the DC, there are essentially 2 branchs; a "main" branch, with the
TS, planer, jointer & chop saw and a "side" branch, which is quite long
(goes to other side of the shop) for router, bandsaw, DP, and misc. One
question I had is: Is it work putting a blast gate at the beginning of
the side branch? There are likely to be 2 or 3 gates off the side
branch. I am not cementing the system (too likely to change), so I
expect some losses. A gate *might* reduce the losses in the side when it
is not in use...for that matter, I could gate the main like (after the
branch of course) too, to "optimize" the side branch.
Thoughts?
One other question: Since I am not cementing the joints, any thoughts on
minimizing the losses in a non-permenant, non-work intensive (I'd prefer
to be working wood!) way?
Paul Kierstead
I've got a 1 1/2 horse system. I don't gate my branchlines but I put a
separate gate at each tool. Unless you're talking industrial quality DC
stuff, you'll need to do that to get any meaningful air flow at each tool.
Putting a blastgate in front of a blastgate (by gating the branch which then
has gates at the tools) would probably be overkill. A few moments of running
will build up the pressure in the system as long as you don't have a lot of
leaks along your side branch. I don't think you need to cement (assuming
you're talking PVC), but it's easy enough to just put a wrap of duct tape
around your joints and still give you the flexibility to change later.
Gary
"Paul Kierstead" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:pmkierst-9BEE5C.01473427022004@nntp.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
> I am designing my DC system...well, OK most of the design is done. Alas,
> I have a wimpy 1 HP Delta DC which I hope works out. It is the typical
> PVC 4" system.
>
> From the DC, there are essentially 2 branchs; a "main" branch, with the
> TS, planer, jointer & chop saw and a "side" branch, which is quite long
> (goes to other side of the shop) for router, bandsaw, DP, and misc. One
> question I had is: Is it work putting a blast gate at the beginning of
> the side branch? There are likely to be 2 or 3 gates off the side
> branch. I am not cementing the system (too likely to change), so I
> expect some losses. A gate *might* reduce the losses in the side when it
> is not in use...for that matter, I could gate the main like (after the
> branch of course) too, to "optimize" the side branch.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> One other question: Since I am not cementing the joints, any thoughts on
> minimizing the losses in a non-permenant, non-work intensive (I'd prefer
> to be working wood!) way?
>
> Paul Kierstead
In article <pmkierst-9BEE5C.01473427022004
@nntp.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com>, [email protected]
says...
> I am designing my DC system...well, OK most of the design is done. Alas,
> I have a wimpy 1 HP Delta DC which I hope works out. It is the typical
> PVC 4" system.
>
> From the DC, there are essentially 2 branchs; a "main" branch, with the
> TS, planer, jointer & chop saw and a "side" branch, which is quite long
> (goes to other side of the shop) for router, bandsaw, DP, and misc. One
> question I had is: Is it work putting a blast gate at the beginning of
> the side branch? There are likely to be 2 or 3 gates off the side
> branch. I am not cementing the system (too likely to change), so I
> expect some losses. A gate *might* reduce the losses in the side when it
> is not in use...for that matter, I could gate the main like (after the
> branch of course) too, to "optimize" the side branch.
>
> Thoughts?
If your system has enough loss that gating the branches is needed, you
have a more basic problem that needs to be fixed, rather than band-
aided.
>
> One other question: Since I am not cementing the joints, any thoughts on
> minimizing the losses in a non-permenant, non-work intensive (I'd prefer
> to be working wood!) way?
>
> Paul Kierstead
>
If you are using PVC, cementing should not be that big a deal, if you
want to make changes, you can always cut the pipe and use a coupler to
re-splice your changes. If you are using metal pipe, you could use
things like duct tape, but that will deteriorate over time and come
loose, so you will find yourself repatching the whole system, this time
with dried-on tape residue (DAMHIKT).
Really, the fastest (in the long run) way to do it, is to do it right
and seal your ductwork. Those leaks will eventually rise up and bite
you. In my case, to the tune of having to replace planer blades when a
duct clogged and the shavings forced a planer chip breaker screen into
the way of the rotating blades.
All blast gates leak, so there is a theoretical benefit to gating a branch.
But for 2 or 3 or even more branch circuit blast gates I think it is
overkill. Instead, spend your time maximizing flow in the lines by using
loooong sweeping elbows (2 @ 45 deg in place of any 90 deg), sanitary tees
(instead of any right angle tees). Use irrigation fittings from the borg,
which fit over the pipe, instead of any woodworking store fittings, which
fit inside the pipe (cheaper too). You should only need a few adapter type
fittings from the official dust collector fitting series.
No cement needed, just wrap with duct tape. Any place you think a fitting
might slip due to gravity or whatever, pin it with a single pop rivet.
These don't leak, don't extend inside to restrict flow, and are easy to
drill out if you want to change the layout.
I just did my second shop, using the ideas/mistakes above from the previous
shop.
--
********
Bill Pounds
http://www.billpounds.com
"Paul Kierstead" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:pmkierst-9BEE5C.01473427022004@nntp.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
> I am designing my DC system...well, OK most of the design is done. Alas,
> I have a wimpy 1 HP Delta DC which I hope works out. It is the typical
> PVC 4" system.
>
> From the DC, there are essentially 2 branchs; a "main" branch, with the
> TS, planer, jointer & chop saw and a "side" branch, which is quite long
> (goes to other side of the shop) for router, bandsaw, DP, and misc. One
> question I had is: Is it work putting a blast gate at the beginning of
> the side branch? There are likely to be 2 or 3 gates off the side
> branch. I am not cementing the system (too likely to change), so I
> expect some losses. A gate *might* reduce the losses in the side when it
> is not in use...for that matter, I could gate the main like (after the
> branch of course) too, to "optimize" the side branch.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> One other question: Since I am not cementing the joints, any thoughts on
> minimizing the losses in a non-permenant, non-work intensive (I'd prefer
> to be working wood!) way?
>
> Paul Kierstead
Use the metal foil duct tape (not the cloth or plastic type).
"Paul Kierstead" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:pmkierst-9BEE5C.01473427022004@nntp.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
> One other question: Since I am not cementing the joints, any thoughts on
> minimizing the losses in a non-permenant, non-work intensive (I'd prefer
> to be working wood!) way?
In article <3JH%[email protected]>,
"Gary" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I've got a 1 1/2 horse system. I don't gate my branchlines but I put a
> separate gate at each tool. Unless you're talking industrial quality DC
> stuff, you'll need to do that to get any meaningful air flow at each tool.
> Putting a blastgate in front of a blastgate (by gating the branch which then
> has gates at the tools) would probably be overkill.
You confirm my suspicion, but I wanted to check...
> A few moments of running
> will build up the pressure in the system as long as you don't have a lot of
> leaks along your side branch. I don't think you need to cement (assuming
> you're talking PVC), but it's easy enough to just put a wrap of duct tape
> around your joints and still give you the flexibility to change later.
Thanks! Haven't done this before and having never used one, I was never
really sure how well it will work. Hope it works well, as I really don't
want to buy another DC; I prefer to spend my money on materials.
> "Paul Kierstead" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:pmkierst-9BEE5C.01473427022004@nntp.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
> > I am designing my DC system...well, OK most of the design is done. Alas,
> > I have a wimpy 1 HP Delta DC which I hope works out. It is the typical
> > PVC 4" system.
> >
> > From the DC, there are essentially 2 branchs; a "main" branch, with the
> > TS, planer, jointer & chop saw and a "side" branch, which is quite long
> > (goes to other side of the shop) for router, bandsaw, DP, and misc. One
> > question I had is: Is it work putting a blast gate at the beginning of
> > the side branch? There are likely to be 2 or 3 gates off the side
> > branch. I am not cementing the system (too likely to change), so I
> > expect some losses. A gate *might* reduce the losses in the side when it
> > is not in use...for that matter, I could gate the main like (after the
> > branch of course) too, to "optimize" the side branch.
> >
> > Thoughts?
> >
> > One other question: Since I am not cementing the joints, any thoughts on
> > minimizing the losses in a non-permenant, non-work intensive (I'd prefer
> > to be working wood!) way?
> >
> > Paul Kierstead
>
>
In article <[email protected]>,
Mark & Juanita <[email protected]> wrote:
> If your system has enough loss that gating the branches is needed, you
> have a more basic problem that needs to be fixed, rather than band-
> aided.
I expect that you are right...just my first time, and I tend to be a
"designer" and sweat the details a little too much.
> If you are using PVC, cementing should not be that big a deal, if you
> want to make changes, you can always cut the pipe and use a coupler to
> re-splice your changes. If you are using metal pipe, you could use
> things like duct tape, but that will deteriorate over time and come
> loose, so you will find yourself repatching the whole system, this time
> with dried-on tape residue (DAMHIKT).
I know that you are right, but I am currently fooling around with shop
layout a lot trying to get it right; notably, enough room around the
bench to work comfortably yet breathing room for the TS, jointer and
planer. Not to mention I would love an assembly area and a spray booth.
Yeah, right. So until I nail an arrangement that I like or build so much
accessories around the equipment that it becomes impractical to
rearrange it, I will be very unhappy to cement it.
> Really, the fastest (in the long run) way to do it, is to do it right
> and seal your ductwork. Those leaks will eventually rise up and bite
> you. In my case, to the tune of having to replace planer blades when a
> duct clogged and the shavings forced a planer chip breaker screen into
> the way of the rotating blades.
I have had DC problems twice with a planer and once with a jointer. In
the case of the planer, I spotted it early since at least with my
planer, you start seeing excessive shavings coming out of the planer
right away; normally the escaped shavings amount very very close to
zero. In the jointer case, I can hear a different sound; it sounds kind
of odd when shavings build up. As soon as one of my machines sound
different, I stop and check. This is with my equipment, others will be
different. So I am not *too* worried.
Thanks for the help.
In article <[email protected]>,
"Pounds on Wood" <[email protected]> wrote:
> All blast gates leak, so there is a theoretical benefit to gating a branch.
> But for 2 or 3 or even more branch circuit blast gates I think it is
> overkill.
That was my feeling, but it is nice to hear someone to back it up.
> Instead, spend your time maximizing flow in the lines by using
> loooong sweeping elbows (2 @ 45 deg in place of any 90 deg), sanitary tees
> (instead of any right angle tees). Use irrigation fittings from the borg,
> which fit over the pipe, instead of any woodworking store fittings, which
> fit inside the pipe (cheaper too). You should only need a few adapter type
> fittings from the official dust collector fitting series.
All I am using from "DC" are blast gates. I am mostly using Y tees which
may or may not be better since it ends up being more pipe, possibly
negating the positive effects of using Y. I guess we'll see. I have
ended up with one 90 degree, necessitated by space constraints. Not bad,
I think. I am also trying to minimize the amount of flex hose to get to
a machine, as well as the bends in the flex hose.
> No cement needed, just wrap with duct tape. Any place you think a fitting
> might slip due to gravity or whatever, pin it with a single pop rivet.
> These don't leak, don't extend inside to restrict flow, and are easy to
> drill out if you want to change the layout.
The pop rivet idea is a great one!!! I was going to use screws, but
wasn't sure how big the initial hole had to be, etc. Riveted them, works
great. Will duct tape later...well, I hope I will. Shop projects tend to
stay status quo. Made a cabinet for the shop with 8 drawers; intended to
put drawer fronts on them, 2 yrs later, still no drawer fronts...
Thanks for the help!
>
> "Paul Kierstead" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:pmkierst-9BEE5C.01473427022004@nntp.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
> > I am designing my DC system...well, OK most of the design is done. Alas,
> > I have a wimpy 1 HP Delta DC which I hope works out. It is the typical
> > PVC 4" system.
> >
> > From the DC, there are essentially 2 branchs; a "main" branch, with the
> > TS, planer, jointer & chop saw and a "side" branch, which is quite long
> > (goes to other side of the shop) for router, bandsaw, DP, and misc. One
> > question I had is: Is it work putting a blast gate at the beginning of
> > the side branch? There are likely to be 2 or 3 gates off the side
> > branch. I am not cementing the system (too likely to change), so I
> > expect some losses. A gate *might* reduce the losses in the side when it
> > is not in use...for that matter, I could gate the main like (after the
> > branch of course) too, to "optimize" the side branch.
> >
> > Thoughts?
> >
> > One other question: Since I am not cementing the joints, any thoughts on
> > minimizing the losses in a non-permenant, non-work intensive (I'd prefer
> > to be working wood!) way?
> >
> > Paul Kierstead
>
>