Pipe for Dust Collections

[NOTW]

I am embarking on the epic adventure of finally plumbing my shop for dust collection. I currently have a shop vac with a dust deputy and a 3gal bucket as dust collection. I will be upgrading to a HF dust collector with a Thein top hat baffle on a 32 gal brute trash can, I have already built the top hat (it was phase 1). So I have gotten to the point of needing the piping and have run across two questions:

1. I want to use PVC pipe for the piping as I am more comfortable with it and can cut it with basic tools. From what I have read Sch 40 pipes should be avoided due to extra cost and weight that is not needed in a dust collections situation. So that brings me to the sewer and drain pipe. As I can find this at most BORGs regularly with some fittings in stock it seems like a good idea; however, some of the fittings I would need remain in question. Some of the tools I have take a 2.5" hose instead of 4" I am unable to locate (and I think the people at Lowes are worried about me since I stand on the plumbing aisle hitting fittings together like a monkey learning tools for the first time) a fitting that will take the 4" pipe to 2" or 2-1/2" so I can attach a short portion of 2-1/2" flex hose. What have other people done to make this transition? I would like to limit the amount of flex hose as much as possible.
2. The second question is that I would like to vent the remaining dust after the separator outside, from the research I've done this is possible and there shouldn't be a lot of dust other than fine dust after the separator. The question I have is that the HF dust collector seems to kick a lot of air out after it runs through the impeller will a standard dryer vent through the wall be able to take this or will it go flying into oblivion when I turn the dust collector on for the first time?

Sorry if this has been addressed already, I searched the forum but did not find answers to these two questions. Thanks

 

[Hmerkle]

There are 2 or 2 1/2 to 4" transition pieces available.

Alternatively you can take a PVC piece, chuck it in the lathe and turn appropriately to fit whichever end does not work... a little silicone, and viola no leaks!

The ready-made black fitting is easier... (don't ask me how I know that...)
Klingspore should have one.

 

[NOTW]

After spending the better part of my lunch hour playing with PVC fitting at Home Depot, I think I have found the missing link to make all my dreams come true. They sell an adapter to go from the 4" thin walled sewer and drain pipe to 4" sch 40 pipe. Which means when I get to a machine that take 2-1/2" hose I can go from the sewer and drain pipe to 4" sch 40 and then use reducers to go from 4" to 3" and then another reducer from 3" to 2". The outside diameter of sch 40 2" pipe is 2.375" so I think I can take up the slack in a hose clamp.

Now onto issue number 2, will the dryer vent go flying off the back of my house and lodge into my fence when I turn the dust collector on. Anybody have any experience with this?

 

[Pop Golden]

Hi Notw, There are also DC fittings that convert that pipe to 4 in. DC pipe. From there you can use standard DC pipe to change size. I think that you should take a good look at that dryer vent before you hit the switch on your collector because you may never see it again. :rotflm:

Pop

 

[JimD]

DCs move a lot of air but not against much back pressure. I would be more worried about choking the flow of your DC than what happens to your dryer vent. I think you need at least as big a vent as the piping of the DC. If you use something smaller, you will reduce airflow at your machines. I also hope you don't care a lot about what is outside your vent. I think the thien will effectively separate the chips but there will be a lot of dust.

 

[golfdad]

woodcraft has a fitting that will go from 4" DC Hose to 4" PVC pipe. I also have a pile of PVC fittings. Let me know what you need and I will see If i have one. Mine are all sch 40 though so you would need adapters to sch 20

 

[Rwe2156]

Went through the same thing with Home Depot.
I would definitely go with 6" mains, not 4". My suggestion is find an industrial pipe supply that will sell to you and get the 6" there.
Can't stress the 6" mains enough, even for a small shop.
Don't use 90 sweeps, use 2-45's for els.
Don't use 90 sweep T's either ($$$). Wye's work fine.

When I redid my DC, I replaced all my ducting with 6". Can't begin to tell you the diff that makes.
I have a Jet 1100 with a cyclone that is probably only 900cfm and it works great.

I would use 4" only for drops with blast gates at every machine.
Run minimal amount of flex from there.

I got most of my flex and stuff from Penn State Industries they have all kinds of adapters for fitting up small machines.

As far as venting outside, I would think a dryer vent would obstruct air flow a little. I just have a hose sticking out the wall

 

[NOTW]

Went through the same thing with Home Depot.
I would definitely go with 6" mains, not 4". My suggestion is find an industrial pipe supply that will sell to you and get the 6" there.
Can't stress the 6" mains enough, even for a small shop.
Don't use 90 sweeps, use 2-45's for els.
Don't use 90 sweep T's either ($$$). Wye's work fine.

When I redid my DC, I replaced all my ducting with 6". Can't begin to tell you the diff that makes.
I have a Jet 1100 with a cyclone that is probably only 900cfm and it works great.

I would use 4" only for drops with blast gates at every machine.
Run minimal amount of flex from there.

I got most of my flex and stuff from Penn State Industries they have all kinds of adapters for fitting up small machines.

As far as venting outside, I would think a dryer vent would obstruct air flow a little. I just have a hose sticking out the wall

Thanks for the info, I was thinking 4" just because it is a small single car garage shop but now I am starting to consider the 6" ducting. When you say industrial pipe supply, in the Raleigh area where would this be? I did a quick Google search and brings me to places that appear to sell fixtures and not piping.

Also, I was thinking the dryer vent for aesthetics and to keep the creepy crawlers out. However, if I did hard pipe out I could always put some wire mesh over it to keep things out. Thanks for the info

 

[Rwe2156]

Thanks for the info, I was thinking 4" just because it is a small single car garage shop but now I am starting to consider the 6" ducting. When you say industrial pipe supply, in the Raleigh area where would this be? I did a quick Google search and brings me to places that appear to sell fixtures and not piping.

Also, I was thinking the dryer vent for aesthetics and to keep the creepy crawlers out. However, if I did hard pipe out I could always put some wire mesh over it to keep things out. Thanks for the info

I live in Jax, FL so I wouldn't know where to find one.
The other possibility is to look for a commercial plumber who might we willing to help you.

Try this link: http://www.globalspec.com/local/2211/NC

 

[tarheelz]

(and I think the people at Lowes are worried about me since I stand on the plumbing aisle hitting fittings together like a monkey learning tools for the first time)

I lollered. I've been there and done that too.

You learn about your remaining insecurities as you find yourself answering, "No, I'm fine" a little too quickly and a little too loudly when the associate in the apron merely asks whether you need any help.

As to #2, I will take some pictures of my set up, which sounds similar to your concept. It works fine.

 

[junquecol]

Lowes sells an adapter that goes from 4" sewer and drain pipe to 3" sch 40 PVC. A four inch DC hose slides right over the 3" side. From there you should be able to transition to 2 1/2" stuff.

 

[McRabbet]

NOTW,

When you say industrial pipe supply, in the Raleigh area where would this be? I did a quick Google search and brings me to places that appear to sell fixtures and not piping.

Try Agri-Supply in Garner. They carry 6" S&D pipe, but you may find better prices elsewhere. I agree with Dr.Bob's comments (rwe2156).

Hope this helps. Rob

 

[KenOfCary]

Look at the black rubber reducing connectors with the pipe clamps around them. They will adjust to most anything close if you just tighten the pipe clamp. A 4" to 4" one will also let you put one of the standard black fittings like you find at woodworking stores to the PVC pipe. To for instance attach a Y to the 4" line with a 2.5" Y off it for your drop or a blast gate. They also have 4" rubber end-caps.

 

[junquecol]

I find a better selection at Lowes, plus it's inside

 

[golfdad]

Ferguson Plumbing Supply..Yonkers rd