dust collection

I think you will be interested in this as Marc Spagnuolo addresses that same issue in his shop tour podcast as he also uses PVC. I myself dont believe that it could catch fire but there may be some type of Ionizer out there that can set PVC users at ease.lol

http://thewoodwhisperer.com/archive/
Episode 15- Updated Shop Tour/Live Q&A (Pt 1)

-- All donations should be made out to me and in the form of wood or tools ~Chris

Dust Collection Basics, published by Woodstock International, advises “The primary disadvantage of plastic pipe for dust collection…is the inherent danger of static electrical charge build-up. Since plastic is an insulator, static electricity is generated as dust particles flow against the walls of the pipe.” The solution: ground the pipe. You may be able to buy this booklet on line if you are interested in more detail. It costs less than $10.

Just a point of view from one shop here. I researched this and found it to be an unsubstantiated risk. I’ve used PVC in 4” for a few years and have a cyclone with 6” for the last couple years. Static does build up, but not that I catch a shock very often and I don’t expect a fire hazzard. I’m not going the step of grounding. Do check out Marc Spagnuolo’s refrerence and you’ll find plent of other feedback on the web by searching google.

Dust collectors under 3HP poses no threat.

According to Fine Woodworking isse 153 page 48.

Check this out:

http://books.google.com/books?id=aKBYFpXCQIUC&pg=PA119&lpg=PA119&dq=%22dheaton+woodworking+woodworking+shtml%22&source=web&ots=crfOts4qtX&sig=8LD5MhXiafOFXqORtchb3LzGKhA&hl=en#PPA117,M1

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.