Garage shop Dust collection system.

Nice layout. I like your collector for the lathe, the use of the magnets makes it very versatile. My only suggestion is the direction of a couple of your tees. You want to keep the flow towards the DC. You have some in backwards. Does the use of 3” pipe restrict flow over say 4” ?

I agree with Clay looks like three of your tees are installed backards for the direction of air flow I am a retired plumber and that’s the first thing that caught my eye. The reduction in pipe size may or may not cause you any problems over all your system looks good.

-- Bill, Quitman, Georgia

Nice job, I have installed a system in my shop like yours. One thing I have found is I have now replaced all my gates with metal ones as I was always taking the plastic ones apart to clean them so they would close all the way.
It drove my crazy when they would not close all the way. Nice work enjoy

-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"

Chad, that looks great, and well thought out. I have a 2 car garage, and a HF 2HP DC just like you (check out my shop). I’m sure you’ve heard it from others, but I would strongly recommend replacing the bag with a Wynn cartridge filter…

http://www.wynnenv.com/35Aseriescartridge_kit.htm

... I did, and it works really well, and I feel trapping down to 1 micron particle, instead of just 5 micron (bag) is the way to go.

Nice video editing too!

-- Douglas in Chicago - http://dcwwoodworks.com

Ken, i had the plastic ones everywhere too, and ran into the same problem. I’m replacing then one at a time with the much better metal ones.

-- Douglas in Chicago - http://dcwwoodworks.com

You can drill small holes in the corners of the blast gate body to encourage air flow that should help clean out the gate. Worked for me on my last shop.

I’m considering a similar setup in my garage. What’s the noise level like if you enclose the DC system in its own cabinet? I want to protect my own hearing of course, but mostly I don’t want to piss off my nice elderly neighbors.

-- Brian in Arlington, TX - Laziness is the foundation of efficiency.

Nice layout, I can see how well it works for you.
Kind of makes me think I should reevaluate my situation.

-- Bob Kenosha Wi.

Great setup, thanks for sharing there is a lot of good information there.

-- I am responsible for how I respond to everything in my life - - Katy TX

Excellent video. I really like your idea on installing the gates.

-- Nicky

as far as the noise it is not bad, when I ran the DC just to test it and it was not connected to anything it was quite loud and that’s why I was wanting to to the attic. When its all connected it is much quieter. In the video I turned it on and was talking and you could hear my voice quite well. If totally enclosed I bet it would be very quiet.

-- Chad, Gilbert AZ www.impeccablepen.com

I have to say, your idea for adapting the blast gates to the 4” PVC is GENIUS!!!!! And I also love your little wooden setups at the machines!

By far the most important part of dust collection is the bends. Your tight turns will KILL your air flow. 90 degree t’s are too tight. You should always use 2 45’s with about a foot in between them to make a long sweep. It takes up more room, but the way you are doing it is going to cut your flow big time. Also that sharp bend in the 5” exhaust hose will cut flow a lot too. Maybe the flow you have gets most of the ships. But it will not get any of the fine dust that is really dangerous for your lungs.

If you could find a way to reduce those tight bends you will really see a difference. Just my 2 cents. Thanks for the great video!

-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes Wednesdays at: http://www.stumpynubs.com

Yeah, spotted the 90 degree elbows and the Wyes in backwards.

Also, you still seem to have the stock bag. You really should replace that with a cartridge filter that traps .5 micron particles. The small stuff is the dangerous stuff. Wynn Engineering is the usual choice – 35A works like a charm on the HF DC.

i have a setup like yors but i did away with the dustcollector bag as it was a pia when iwas planning wood . it filled up to quick and when i ran the drum sander it was dusty. so i did away with the bag and redid my exhast and ran it outside and use it in for mulch. but i live in the country

-- grizz44