Okay, I've a question for you dust collection guru's out there.
I've been using a 1stage DC with one of those 'cyclonic' lids on a 30 gallon
steel trash can with 20' of black plastic wire-reinforced hose. This works
great for most applications that are close to the DC (TS, Jointer, Planer,
RAS). However, my router table and BS are clear on the other side of the
shop which requires me to attach another 30' worth of above-mentioned hose
to my existing 20' that's attached to the cyclonic lid. This leads to an
enormous loss of suction. Those hoses are not the most efficient for long
runs.
What I'm considering doing is running a short 6" line from DC to
pre-separator (yes, I'd have to enlarge the holes in the lid), then a short
run (under 3 ft) of 5" or 6" from there to what would be the only splitter
with one end going to my existing (4") hose and the other running permanent
steel ducting along the ceiling. Now, all that being said, what's the
best/most efficien diameter pipe to run up the wall, across the garage
ceiling and down the far wall to the router table and BS? This is in a
standard 2-car shop.
Thanks in advance for advice,
Joe
The larger the diameter, the lower the losses. I have a 2 hp Jet DC and I
run about 15 feet of 4 inch PVC plus 6 feet of hose to my planer, the tool
needing the most suction. I am about 20 feet to my jointer also with 4 inch
PVC and very little hose and it works fine.
You could try the 4" PVC (using the sewer drain pipe) for only a few bucks.
I made up large radius elbows by using 2 - 45 degree elbows.
I do have the PVC grounded, though there are a lot of people that says it is
unnecessary.
There are books that give the pressure drops but you should be OK with 4" if
you are only using one tool at a time. Clearly 5 or 6 inch would give you a
safety factor.