How Much CFM Do I Need for Dust Collection?

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. Updated hourly. Usually when we see a cloud of dust in the shop, we think about not breathing in too much of it. With metal ducting there are additional sizes available, and you can make more gradual steps down to potentially squeeze a bit more performance out of your system, but if you have appropriately sized your dust collector, you will be able to derive adequate air flow using 6 and 4 pipes.

If this happens, select the pipe size that is closest to the required diameter. No doubt its run many times with all the blast gates closed and there is absolutely no way that any of the pipes are in any danger of collapsing. All duct work, also known as blowpipe, including spiral pipe, fittings and flexible hose are truly modular and adaptable to metric, rolled edge, angle iron ring or any older dust collection components.

Geez, my machine tool teacher would call that an Interference Fit.

Do you recommend reducing the run to 4 to the miter saw box to increase air velocity? Travis. Appreciate you sharing this. But if you can maintain adequate FPM through a larger trunk, and branch off to tools with smaller pipe, that is a winner. very good article. I did figure out how to help with the couplings I remembered back thirty-#$%^#@& years ago and replacing the handlebar grips on my bicycle. Im in the process of re-modelling my workshop and include a ducted system.

I was just going to use 4 duct as that is what is pushed by all the woodworking vendors on their sites and catalogsnow you have me thinking about 6!!! But if I didnt have good access to PVC pipe and fittings, I would be comfortable going with metal as well. That way your investment is protected when you expand the system later, and all you need to buy are a bunch of plastic tubes and fittings. To maximize your air flow, focus most of your design efforts around 6 pipe, sometimes 4 when you need to, but nothing smaller than that for stationary tools. Hi Mike. Manufacturer ratings for CFM are inconsistent, and if I know which machine you have Ill have better estimate of what kind of performance youll see through that configuration. Does that sound better? Thanks for stimulating me to work on this more, and for everyone elses safety. If you end up with schedule 80 or even schedule 40 in an 8 pipe, it will be quite heavy and make installation a bit rigorous. Volatility in the steel industry has led to unprecedented steel price increases since August 2020, and this surcharge affects all Nordfab distributors & customers. For tools that are farther away, you might need to drop down to 4 to keep the air velocity up.

Or, use the bell end of the pipe as a coupler using the approach that I described previously. For your second question.

I dont know I only know that they wont cover it if they can lay the blame there.

the spark can come from turning on or off any electric switch or motor, or the gas hot water heater in the corner of your basement shop.

Combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air under certain conditions according to Combustible Dust resource page with links to several presentations by Air Handling Systems as well as links to additional resources such as NFPA 664: Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities. http://home.comcast.net/~rodec/woodworking/articles/DC_myths.html 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. I think this will definitely be the way to go. We recommend using flexible hose, (flex-hose) to connect the woodworking machine to the, dust collector. The jointer and planer are the closest to the dust collector, both within a 14 horizontal run. While I liked your piece overall I know from handling PVC daily that in generates enough static you shouldnt ignore the risk. That provides the full concentration of suction right at the tool you are using, to get you maximum dust collection from that tool. I just keep going back and forth what to do off the main. Sounds like a great system and really quiet. Otherwise, youll definitely get some air flow, but youll probably be down in the 200 300 CFM range at the end of the run which will be marginal but better than nothing. Peter E. Thanks for the comments. goyen

Hi Rick. Or would it be better to wait till I have a enough for a cyclone and then run bigger pipes for the whole system? Our most popular products based on sales. Paul-WWGOA. Earthing? Quick disconnect with standard PVC coupler. Look for someone who can provide both FPM and CFM.

It can be used with a 9 inch manifold with 4 4inch fittings or by removing the manifold and the connecting the DC directly to the main. I did find an article by Rod Cole, who works at MIT, and has extensive knowledge on the subject. Our staff is working remotely wherever possible and we will maintain a bare minimum staff on-site to perform basic operations of order processing and accounting.

You can add a blast gate so you are ready to go, or simply place a cap on the pipe which is a bit cheaper. 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. I have a 2Hp 1200CFM DC. Be sure that you extend the bare copper wire down all, branches of the system.

I had that exact DC and ran 6 ducts that were much shorter than yours, and when I took the ducts apart to move I found that massive amounts of dust had settled in the ducts. I encourage you to accept the fact that most tools come with insufficient tool ports. While I agree with most of your article, I strongly caution any use of PVC pipe in a wood dust collection system. Radial Arm Saws | Then make sure to seal the joint with aluminum tape.

Great bit of information on a subject we all need to take care of, Love your DC. Would it be better to use 4 or 6 pvc, since 5 is not available.

Air Handling Systems is proud to support many industries by holding memberships in the following associations. . We also work with paper mills and corrugated box manufacturers. Put aside the whole fire risk or not question and ask the other question of insurance coverage.

Planers | Thanks for reaching out with your questions. I build a 4system and made my own gate, and im very happy with them. The comparison to the health risks of breathing dust and driving dangers are fair to an extent, although there is a lot of evidence to suggest that those items in fact can be statistically linked to health problems and injury. You dont have to worry about a slight angle on your duct runs. I also exhaust the cyclone outside so I dont have to deal with filters and breathing very small particles. 4" x 6" Industrial Dust Collection Reducer (Style 1), 5" x 6" Industrial Dust Collection Reducer (Style 1), 6" 30 Deg Industrial Dust Collection Elbow, 6" 45 Deg Industrial Dust Collection Elbow, 6" 60 Deg Industrial Dust Collection Elbow. Installs in less than 1/2 the time of standard flanged duct systems. I have also seen plans for shop made blast gates using PVC and plywood which are quite cool, but I havent been able to justify the time to build these. You might get by with the HF unit, but it would be borderline.

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.

I have used PVC for 15 years at least with no problem. We have provided systems to television shows such as the New Yankee Workshop and This Old House and woodworking publishing companies such as Taunton Press, publishers of Fine Woodworking. I bought the 6 pc pipe and fittings some time back to connect to my 3hp cyclone and now I feel more confident to begin installation and stop moving the 4 hose from tool to tool! If you are getting this you will want to either upgrade your dust collector or replace the 6 with 4 pipe to increase the air speed. From those working from home who need high quality air filters, to the other essential businesses we supply products to, we're here for you. Paul-Woodworkers Guild of America.

Either buy one used from someone who has recently upgraded (there are lots of them out there in my area) or buy one that has enough power to collect from a ducting system if you decide to add that later. In answer to your first question. Air Handling Systems based in Woodbridge, Connecticut, manufactures dust and fume collection components including industrial ventilation spiral pipe; warehouses and distributes various flexible hoses, for a variety of commercial and industrial applications which include woodworking, aerospace, paper, pharmaceutical, chemical, plastics and HVAC. That tiny static shock you might feel is plenty to cause a cloud of dust to blow up. Start at the machine that is farthest away from the collector (machine one) and work your way back.

Use metal pipe with whatever fittings you choose to afford and make sure to ground it in at least one place. So I wrapped a ground wire around the dust collector a couple times and grounded it.

If 6 is the way to go why then dont the stores sell fittings for this size.go figure!

And if you were using a four inch line a low cost take off is the plastic end caps found in rolls of carpet at your builders supply. Tool ports. If you already have PVC, at least run a bare copper wire along the outside of the duct to ground. But I have a 2 questions; 1) If your DC intake port is roughly positioned in the middle of your wall, which way would be better to run your lines. At the end of the 30 feet, it will have about 16 feet of 4 inch pvc to reach the tools.

So, you will have to make your own ports, and in some cases, cut holes in your tools to accommodate the port. You wont do yourself any favors by trying to stretch a 1.5 HP machine to do the work that would require a 3 5 HP unit. You might also try getting an air flow meter and experimenting with some various size pipes to see what you find. Light, strong, versatile.

Continue on to the remaining machines using the example above until your main trunk is equal in dia. Our fabrication department is dedicated to producing quality products. But I recognize the investment in time and $ is significant, so portable dust collection is a worthy consideration as well.

If you choose PVC, be aware that there are different thicknesses on the market, and you should go with the thinnest stuff you can find. spiral pipe installation slip flanges flange joints ring angle vanstone connection single methods main

I love it!

Paul-WWGOA. If you have made an investment in a powerful dust collector, that is a great first step toward creating a healthy shop environment.

Its fun.

I have a small shop and will only be using one tool at a time, For the smaller machines I use a big shop vac! I am going to use a 5hp Super Dust Gorilla so as never to be wanting more power. My guess is that 6 PVC is so expensive and cumbersome for them to handle and ship, and it is relatively inexpensive at home centers, so it is hard for small retailers to get into this business. Feel free to comment, this is an important subject. On metal you will likely need to seal the joints to minimize leaking. For accuracy, use grid paper and indicate the exact location of each dust port. All of our fittings are fully welded to eliminate leakage and give proper support that will last a lifetime. 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. Shapers |

I incorated 12 v switch system to start the system automatically. 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.

Thank you.

I have not finalized tool locations so I am flexible on arrangements and laying out a collection system.

If you use PVC, particularly 6 where there is so much overlap at the joints, you shouldnt need to seal most of your joints.

Another option would be to make your own coupler out of plywood or MDF. I just bought a dust collector with 4 in. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: All dust systems must be grounded to avoid a buildup of static electricity in the ductwork or filter. Whether you need an entire system or just a few dust collection components, we offer some of the most competitive dust collection system prices in the market to fit your budget. I would relocate to shorten the lengths if possible. What are the blast gates used for? As ar as static discharge, living in the South it is typically humid, but there are some days I get zapped while using my orbital sander with the dust collection hose attached. If you have any additional questions please chat, email or call us at 1-855-253-0822. Size matters in dust collection. I just tucked one side in, and then reached through the other end of the coupler and pull the flex pipe into the coupler. When comparing types of material for my dust collection pipes, my local plumbing store recommended dryer vent pipe.

The big issue is whether I should go with a bigger DC to support plumbing drops for each machine or a smaller DC unit and drag a hose around to each machine. We are here to meet your needs. Remember we will handle any size order, from one fitting to an entire system. However, according to the OSHA Combustible Dust ANPR (Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking), No single, universally accepted definition of combustible dust is available. Blast gates. Very helpful as I plan out a system. Thanks for the feedback. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Could you use copper pipe? In my research I found some web sites that may interest your readers. every thing that is in the article is great, I made my blast gates from wood and metal with no problems, I use a first primary collection container before my dust bag to catch larger items so they do not go through my dist collection fan and you do not have to empty the dust bag as often.

i have it and like it a lot , works very good !!!!! I dont like using duct tape, or caulk, on ducts as I feel it is not necessary on PVC. Its probably no more expensive than plastic. Happy Woodworking! Regards,

I have a big harbor frieght dust collector for the big machines. 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. If you start dipping below 4000 FPM, you should reduce the size of pipe. So unless you can get your insurer to put in writing, that you are covered ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~, Is part 2 of this article out? 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.

This supports the use of PVC as safe. If using metal, as I did, try using pop rivets instead of screws. In the second picture in the article, the green PVC is actually the bell coupler at the end of the pipe.

Paul, I am also about to set up a 6 system. Thanks They sell plastic hangers for the ABS pipe that is convenient to hang my pipe, instead of attaching the plumber straps. But dont wait until your homeowners insurance refuses to pay for your claim, if you are alive to deal with it. different shops, so I have never bothered with grounding mine. Thanks.

I totally agree with the comments on gentle curves and corners and have found that this minimises chances of clogging the duct on flexible systems. For aluminum to work it would have to be a lot thicker, which would make it pretty expensive. Place machines that require the largest CFM (cubic feet per minute) of airflow closest to the dust collector. Paul. They only cover metal ducts that are grounded. I know how much dust woodworking produces, even with hand tools, and I love to read and hear other ideas on dust collection systems.

The primary enemy of ideal dust collection is static pressure.

Producing round metal fittings has been our business for over sixty years. What Are the Different Types of Dust Collector Ducting? DC, with suction capacity of 3560 CFM and Static Pressure 16.8. Continue to the second machine. I would tend to dispute the 6 pipe and the theory of max air volume.

I would encourage you to do some research on the specific machine to see if any owners are using pipe larger than 6, and see how their performance is. Great article and timely for me as Im considering a dust collection system for my small workshop (one car garage stall) . Our fully stocked warehouse, in conjunction with our high-tech full service fabrication facility, provides you with the most rapid production in the industry for spiral pipe, fittings, and flexible hose. The max run is 57 horizontal plus 10 vertical. Thats a long duct run for a 2 HP machine, assuming that it has some bends to it as well.

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.

The existing 6" trunk line would be acceptable. The soap seems like a worthwhile trick to try. The results were quite interesting when I tested before & after my Clear Vue upgrade: http://local.wordpress/articles/product-reviews/stepping-up-to-better-dust-collection/, Hi Paul; heres an update on my comment from a month ago. Example: if your woodworking machine has a 3 port you can assume that it requires approximately 220 CFM In most cases, flanged ducting is throw away. This electrical discharge may.

All prices subject to change without notice. They have a wide flange to allow attachment to the housing and given they are thrown away weekly its hard to beat the cost. Im not an expert on the volatility of wood dust and the practical likelihood that it will explode when exposed to electrostatic discharge, but I just havent seen evidence to suggest that it is likely under normal conditions in small shop dust collection systems. 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.

good luck.

A properly installed system will not only be cost effective, but energy efficient. If you trunk it down to 4 right at the DC, then it wont gain you anything to open it back up to 6 for the main trunk, and youll probably see such low velocity that dust will settle in the line. At the output of the collector, there will be 2 lanes. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts on this.

Hi Dan, glad you found it useful, and thanks for the feedback. I want to make piping for my 1200 cfm dust collector.

This charge will build until it discharges to a ground.

I disagree with your suggestion of using screws whenever possible to secure joints. Re: Grounding- I have worked in an industrial woodworking environment for 35 years. Only one tool at the time will work on this collector. www.xtremetape.com

Air Compressors | Bandsaws | Boring Machines | CNC Routers | Door Machines | Be sure to get the stuff with the thinnest walls that you can find. These simple steps will drastically reduce your dust explosion risks. The things that increase static pressure in dust collection include smaller ducts, longer distances, bends in the pipe and flexible tubing, so we will focus our efforts in minimizing those things that materially increase static pressure in our systems. This tape does not leave glue residue, so when you rework your ducting it is easy to remove and does not require cleanup. Unable to provide parts promptly for an installation? Go for the bigger machine and pipe to each tool.

The picture shows a shop made 6 port on a jointer, with a drill stuck in it to illustrate the massive size. If you have trouble slipping the flex tube over the PVC just cut some slits into the PVC as you see shown in the 2nd picture in this article. Wire connections. On rush orders, we can also handle your Next Day, Second Day or 3-Day Select requests. Good luck, and work safe.

Im planning to use 6 ducts to the tools, and 4 for the vertical runs to keep the velocity up. Do not forget to connect the, wires to each other with wire nuts when two branches, Ensure that the entire system is grounded. I have found this to be a perfect fit on both 4 and 6 ducting, requiring only a pressure fit to stay on, with little noticeable air leak. The Powermatic 73 is a 1.5 HP unit, which puts it right on the edge as to whether it will deliver enough air speed through 6 duct to prevent the accumulation of debris in the duct.

If using plastic, blast gates to direct air flow, the grounding wire must, be jumped (see Figure 41) around the blast gate without, We also recommend wrapping the outside of all plastic, ducts with bare copper wire to ground the outside of the, system against static electrical build up.

In a separate article I will walk through the dust collection design at each tool in my shop to help you complete your dust collection system design. Non-metalic duct is prohibited by both OSHA and NFPA-664 due to potential static electricity issues. Use a standard PVC coupler to slip easily over the opening on your shop made tool port. Without going on too long here, see the directions from Shop Fox above. What are the limitations of your workshop or space? Once designed your system to deliver enough air flow, the next thing you need to think about is how to best corral the dust at each tool. This would be easily able to cause an explosion if the right amount of dust was floating in the air at the time. I was also wondering how you configured the on/off system for your tools? We will be happy to provide a quote. Thanks ! at Ys and Ts should be made with wire nuts. Id be concerned about velocity dropping too low and having dust settling in the line. What are the odds that a DC will cause a fire? Hi Frank, thanks for the kind words.

Hi Jim. Panel Saws | 10% leakage on a 50,000 CFM system will lose enough air to add five to six machines. It is good to hear that there is continuing research on this important topic. Please see the comments I have left on grounding the dust collection system. A remote control really helps. grounded woodworking machine and dust collector. Flexible hose ducting - Flexible hoses are made of rubber or plastic material and have a metal grounding helix that must be grounded at each end to prevent static electricity buildup and dangerous sparks. If your duct is too small, you wont move adequate air volume to remove fine dust, but if it is too large, you wont get sufficient air speed to remove anything.

The benefits are significant. From hoods to silencers and gates to hangers we have it. We advise against using duct tape, its unsightly, the fabric deteriorates and it doesnt have elasticity. 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. Most if not all collectors come with a warning like this. Some tools provide adequate dust collection ports, while others (most) dont and you will need to devise your own enhancements. Note: If a machine has multiple dust ports, the total CFM is the sum of all ports. The design discussed above in the Other ducting suggestions / Extra ports provides good access for clearing any log jams as well as facilitating extension. I would try to arrange your tools so that the big dust producers are closest to the DC, and pipe them using 6. Thanks for the feedback. After much research about metal vs. occurs, you made this an easy decision for me.

I just installed a dust collector with a 7 OD pipe, how do I hook it up to a plastic system? Smooth on the inside.

This allows you to easily make changes or expand your present system in the future.

Love your approach. 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: 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.

When using the HVAC ducting I recommend taping ALL joints and seams as this reduces air leaks and improves preformance. I do recommend a direct connection to all machines and a open connection to portable machines that are used sometimes. Although my shop is in the painting stage, I can assure you I will be implementing the ideas in this article. Can you tell me what dust collector this is? 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.

Great article. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Keeping in mind that ideally you will place a 6 port as close to where the dust is being produced as possible, and I have never purchased a tool that had a standard 6 port, or even an optional one for that matter. Attach ducts to a stud using plumbers strapping. With the prevalence of PVC used in dust collection systems around the US, if the risk is in fact statistically significant there should be numerous examples of explosions resulting from this. I think you should either get a bigger dust collector, or figure out a way to have shorter duct runs. Buying local might provide savings due to the high shipping costs of large pipes. Toward my goal of oversimplification, I offer the D.O.G. Shop By Brand, Machinery Repairs | I have one bell end of pipe that I managed to get flex onto, though if I wanted it to connect more deeply I would have needed a heat gun.

I had a smaller (in length) 4 flexible tube dust collecting system in a previous workshop and, although I did not install an earthing wire, I could feel the hairs on my arms move when I was close to the ducting. Velocity is high enough to move dust as well as planer chips and lathe shavings. If you go that route, Id suggest upgrading the filter to something in the 1 micron range. Because of its smooth rigid interior and all-metal construction, hard fixed ducting reduces the risk of static electricity buildup and decreases static pressure over long runs. G is for Gentle. I am just finishing up my separator, so I will probably start running duct tomorrow, but that still gives me some time to decide before I start cutting pipes to length. This process requires flanges to be fitted over each end of the pipe, the edge of the duct is then vanstoned to keep the flange in place, and lastly, flanges are bolted together to join pieces.

We have solved the dust collection system affordability problem. I have never gotten a shock in 10 years of running PVC ducting in two

For instance, if the machine has a CFM of 395, 4" ducting will be required.

I use 2 ball values ( that are used in plumbing application) instead of blast gate. I would argue that many of the products that are sold in this category are not up to the task of removing. Thanks You will need to buy from either a dust collection vendor or a HVAC vendor who carries heavier gauge ductwork. Hi Paul- Another way to do the quick disconnect is to use the bell connection at the end of the PVC pipe, rather than the coupler. Shipping Methods. Ive had to do this on some dust collectors. HI, PR and other US Territories will be quoted at current rates. There is almost zero danger of an electric shock to a human, but very big hazard of having a dust explosion! ductwork torit collector donaldson dust wood duct installation parts furnace installing environmental solutions service cartridge connection type authorized know need

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