Mark,
I can’t remember where I recently saw this thread on ducting for the cyclone, but is in one of the woodsites. I typically make up Word docs on future projects, etc. The pictures did not transfer to this response, so if you would like to see the Word Doc I have, with pics, let me know your email address. It’s a big file, so it may be tough on a dial up connection. Here’s the copy of the blog:
It took me almost two months but everything is up and running. I’m very happy I decided to go with metal snap lock pipe, it was easy to work with and very strong – I would swear I could hang from it. I still have to make some modifications so I can get 6” going all the way without using any 4” hose. I sourced parts from quite a few places:
Snap lock pipe and branch wyes: local HVAC supplier
6” & 8” adjustable fittings: Home Depot
Reducers: Home Depot
Foil tape, duct sealer, zip ties: Home Depot
Hangers: made them myself
Blast gates, 6” hose clamps, 6” hose (not used yet): Lee Valley
4” hose: left over from last setup
Is that an 8” main with 6” drops? How do you like the suction? I will be running duct for mine shortly.
Yes, after much debate, I decided to go with an 8” main with 6” branches. It wasn’t that much more money and it just seemed to me the G0441 would be able to handle it. I’ll follow up if I have any problems with chips collecting in there.
Don Johnson said:
I’m in the same situation as many of you. I’ve got the G0441 up and running, but until I get the ducting set up, I’ve got a reducer from the 8” main down to 4” to run the existing stuff I already had.
I first looked into 8” PVC, but was quoted $120 for a 20 ft run and about $120 per Wye. My thought was to drop immediately down to 6” so the ducting is more affordable. I take it from your comments and sources that metal is a much better way to go. By the way, what guage of HVAC ducting did you use? I’ve heard that the G0411 can collapse some of the HVAC ducting out there as it is not built for inward pressure. Any thoughts or thought processes you already went through? Thanks
I didn’t price out PVC, I did a lot of reading and decided metal was the way to go for me. I used 26 gauge which ended up feeling very strong, I’m not worried about it collapsing plus it’s light weight which makes installation a lot easier. Also, it was very convenient to be able to use the adjustable fittings. My local Home Depot sold 26 gauge but only in 2’ lengths so that’s why I went with the local HVAC supplier. The hardest items to find for a reasonable price were the wyes, the place I got the snap lock wanted about $50 for an 8×8x6 and I was able to find them for about $28.
Looked at PVC, was more expensive than metal. Look around, Sean G and I have been looking at places to get our duct from, have to give the nod to Sean here as he has definitely more calls than I. We have found 6” 28g spiral for $1.34 a foot, wye for $20, and 6” hose for $2.69 a foot, 90s for about $3.50. The thing is each of those items comes from a different place. So shop around.
-- Don, San Antonio, TX
