Designing a new workshop

[Kev Y.]

Greetings all, I have been off line here for a while, but I am now ready to start building a new workshop.

I am thinking of placing my dust collector under a work bench and have it connected to a collection line which will run around the base of the walls with blast gates at various points along the line.

My question is: What size pipe should I use for the collection line?

I have considered using 90mm PVC. should I go with this or maybe think of using a smaller diameter pipe?

Thanks

[skot]

In a perfct world it would be better to use 100mm metal ducting. If you use PVC earthing will be necessary every so often as static electricity can build up. If you are placing the pvc on the floor it may be OK but it may still have some static buildup

[Brown Dog]

g day Brudda

My question is: What size pipe should I use for the collection line?

I have considered using 90mm PVC. should I go with this or maybe think of using a smaller diameter pipe?

Not sure what type of dusty you have but....generally, bigger is better...the smaller the dia pipe you use the more resistance there is to airflow ....there for reducing airflow. I used 100mm PVC but 150mm would be better.

I also wouldnt be too concerned about static...there has been heaps of debate on this and the general consensus for small workshops is that a dusty under 3hp will not generate enough static to cause a problem. You are more likely to start a fire using a blunt blade (smoke and embers) or sucking up something metal to cause a spark.

cheers
BD

[Harry72]

Put your dusty in a outside enclosure.

[echnidna]

Put your dusty in a outside enclosure.

[Ivan in Oz]

In a perfct world it would be better to use 100mm metal ducting. If you use PVC earthing will be necessary every so often as static electricity can build up. If you are placing the pvc on the floor it may be OK but it may still have some static buildup

Hang the PVC Piping off of the Metal Stud Framing.....No Static

[mcarthur]

I also wouldnt be too concerned about static...there has been heaps of debate on this and the general consensus for small workshops is that a dusty under 3hp will not generate enough static to cause a problem. You are more likely to start a fire using a blunt blade (smoke and embers) or sucking up something metal to cause a spark.

I thought the same thing, but yesterday the static on the 4" connected to the 16-32 drum sander was amazing. It wasn't enough to spark - I don't really know how much that would be, but it didn't on the day - but it was getting uncomfortable reaching over the tube to transfer the timber from the outfeed back to the infeed.

Rob

[Wongo]

Brudda, I asked the same question here a few years ago. The answer was the bigger the better. You should go with the 6" PVC pipe and a reducer to fit the 4" machines.

[Brown Dog]

- but it was getting uncomfortable reaching over the tube to transfer the timber from the outfeed back to the infeed.

Rob

That is the real issue with static in small dust collection systems...

Its not the chance it may cause the dust dust to explode that is any real danger ....but the odd zap (which can be quite strong in some circumstances). I know with my system if I walk past one of the down pipes while its on my hair stands up

Here is an article by a bloke who seems to have done a fair bit of research on this topic

Grounding PVC and Other Dust Collection Myths


cheers
BD

[Kev Y.]

Thanks for all of the responses, I have seen the "grounding" kits in Carba-Tec, and will think about using them.

At the moment I am visualizing the collection pipework being on the ground, and secured to the workshop frame. I currently have an upright DC, but am considering getting one of the underbench units.

The workshop is still in the "fliud" what,where,how stage, and I will not be ready to start for another couple of weeks.

When it is finally in the "here and now" I will post a few pics.

Thanks

Kev

[Uncle Bob]

The answer was the bigger the better. You should go with the 6" PVC pipe .

Hi, I agree bigger would be better. I'm also thinking 6" metal ducting would be cheaper than PVC, hell you can even make it yourself.

[Jim Carroll]

Kev stick to the upright unit.
Go as big as possible with the pipe 5" would be better.

Keep as big as possible and only reduce to smaller size when really necessary.

Static line is neccesary when high volume of materail is flowing through the pipe as in sanders and thicknessers.

[Harry72]

Hi, I agree bigger would be better. I'm also thinking 6" metal ducting would be cheaper than PVC, hell you can even make it yourself.

Nope, 6" metal is dearer 900mm length is around $30 6m of pvc is $120ish, even if you make your own metal duct it wont be that much cheaper unless your in the sheet metal business.