Cummins dust system question

[lwhughes149]

Need some advice please. I have a Cummins 1 hp dust system and have been pleased with it however occasionally it will stop up. From the intake at the unit I go up about 6' to a tee that branches off to the left and goes about 4 to 5 foot to a port for the planer and another extenson comes around the corner and goes to the jointer. My problem is alway with the planer. But the block is at the tee coming from the unit. It appears that the dust is spinning through the 4" pvc pipe and collecting into the copper wire before it came come down the pipe. When it collects there it doesn't draw properly in the flex hose coming from the planer and you guessed it, I have to shut down and try to solve the problem. I know the copper pipe is important but with such a small system I would love to remove it. Convience me that that is not a good idea and give me some suggestion. Down time I have no patience with. A larger system isn't an option at this time. One more question. Can I connect the flex pipe for the planer directly to the intake port on the dust system.

 

[lwhughes149]

Just ran across another post when someone stated it wasn't necessary to have copper wire running through a small system. This wire may be history tomorrow. When it comes to making my flex pipe shorter, what would be a opinion as to a good length. My planer has to be moved out to allow for movement around the machine. I have about four to five foot of pipe now. :eusa_clap

 

[Travis Porter]

Yea you don't have to have the wire, the pipe will build up a little static and give you a surprise once in a while, but from what all I have read, it isn't needed. That should solve your blockage problem

 

[lwhughes149]

Thanks Travis, the wire comes off tomorrow. I think I will also shorten the flex hose, I have extra so if I make it too short I can always put it back like it was. :eusa_danc

 

[toolferone]

Flex hose has at lot of friction inside that really slows down the air flow. Use as little flex as possible. I would also see if you could change the "Tee" to a "Y" with the air flowing a smoothly as possible. You are creating a major traffic jam of air flow at that "Tee". Try to make the air flow as smooth as you can, and you do NOT need the copper grounding wire on a small unit. I have a 3hp cyclone with 6" pvc pipe and no grounding wire or problems.

 

[lwhughes149]

Boy I could so some serious woodworking in your shop. I only have the one tee. I have a straight pipe coming from the machine going up into a tee, left goes to a bandsaw where right goes to a planer and jointer. The drop downs to each machine is a y. I am going to remove the wire first, if I still have a problem I will replace the tee with a y. Thanks for the help. I really mean that. This site has been so much help to me as a new woodworker.

 

[McRabbet]

Lorraine,

Here is a website link from our Link Library that discusses the issue of static electricity in PVC dust collections systems that should help you decide about the copper wire you have in your duct system now. I've removed the "grounding" wires from mine and have fewer jams as a result. I agree with others that you need to remove the "tee" and replace it with a "Y" fitting to reduce turbulence at that junction.

Rob

 

[lwhughes149]

Update. I removed the copper wire and the unit is purring like a kitten. Thanks for the help.