I have just recently moved into a new shop and am setting up a dust collection system. I would like to know the best and most inexpensive way to get the dust from the machines to the vacuum would be. And if I should be concerned about static electricity.
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Well, this usually brings on a number of opinions but Ill wade in.
I have had a dust collection system done with PVC for a long time. The drawback is weight for one and static for another. The issue of static seems to me to be a simple one, but there are many who want to debate it to death. Fact is the PVC, in dry winter climates, will build up a heck of a charge. I dont like to be shocked, so i grounded mine.
I've seen others who will go on and on endlessly about how low the probability is of a dust explosion occuring. I have worked in a grain elevator as a kid and I saw a grain explosion take the building down. Now the naysayers will point out how unlikely this is in your DC system....but the key here is it costs about 20 bucks to prevent it at all...so spend the money!
I run 6 inch mains to the DC and 4 inch runs to most machines.
Is this a "pro" shop ? If yes, then find out what the regs are where you live (e.g. in a pro shop here we must run metal piping except for a short piece to attach it to your machine)
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario