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Hi -

I do not have room for the larger dust collectors - neither do I use the high powers dust making machinery too much - occasional use of the band saw, drill press (with Saf-t-planer), very occasionaly to rare use of the router table, and an ROS and table band sander.

Right now I am using a pretty good shop vac for the router and ROS and belt sander - I have a portable dust collector (supposedly rated at 650 cfm) with 4" ports for the bandsaw. - I would like to start using the DC for all my tools instead - even though the Shop vac does a good job. Has anyone tried plumbing pvc for the portable dust collector ? I am right it can only improve things ? I would add 2.5" drops for the smaller tools like the drill press, belt sander, and ROS and route table, as they all have 2.5' ports.

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It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

I have pvc as well as galvanized ducting in my shop. No problems at all with the pcv. I would suggest 4" drops with 4" flex hose to the machines, and then attach with 4" to 2.5" reducers. This will help reducing the loss of cfm's.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

If I understand your question correctly, it will only help if your runs are short. One reason low power portable DCs work is that the hose is short so you don't lose suction from friction. A flex hose tends to add a lot of friction so PVC of the same length would likely be an improvement. But if you are adding long runs with elbows, the friction adds up quickly and you will quickly lose suction.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

John I am in the same position you are in right now. I want to eventually get a cyclone with 6" runs but I am currently putting together a smaller system to connect to just a few machines in a small area Your 650 cfm wont cut it for the big machines. Like Todd said, you are going to lose half or more of suction at the machine even with 4" ports and lines (lose much more with 2.5"). Consider upgrading to a 1200+cfm 1.5+ hp machine. Harbor Freight has one on sale for $200. http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-sho ... ader-97869. Then for better fine dust control upgrade with a Wynn canister filter. http://www.wynnenv.com/35A_series_cartridge_kit.htm The idea is to have the largest diameter hose/pipe with the shortest distance to get the best suction. Try running 4" to the machine and modify the 2.5" ports on your machines to 4" ports if possible, if not run 4" as close to the machine as you can get then reduce.

Check Bill Pentz's site for all you need to know and more about dust collection. http://www.billpentz.com

Also look into getting a large room air purifier from Hunter to really help clean the fine dust out of your shop quick.

An air quality monitor is a good idea to know how much dust you are pumping in your shop and how healthy your air is. Dylos makes a good cheap monitor. http://www.dylosproducts.com/ornodcproair.html.

Probably more info than you wanted but I take dust collection seriously! We only have one set of lungs!

I have been avoiding the big collector due to space - but if I place it in another room -is there a guide that shows how long of a run I can have maximum, how many 90's and 45's ? My shop is only about 16 feet long - but the collector would have to be in the next room and go around a water heater - and that run would be another 16 feet as well - will a 2 hp collector handle that ?

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It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

Don't bother plumbing a dust collector for less than a 4" drop. Use you shop vac for that. Were I you, I would use the shop vac for small ports (under 4"), and a relatively short run or flexible duct for your 4" ports. Put a quick connect on it and attach it when you need it. That's what I would do. I have a Clearvue in my shop, and I still use the shop vac for the smaller ports. Even the Clearvue is practically useless when you constrict it down. Dust collectors move a lot of air at low pressure. For small ports, you need something designed to generate higher pressures to be effective.

Probably not. I personally would not want more than 10' of lines from a 2hp blower type dust collector. You would probably get chips and larger dust but not the fine stuff. You might consider rearranging your shop so you can get the dust collector to fit. Keep your lines and drops short, use smooth walled pipe such as pvc and good quality flex hose for your drops, and use long radius wyes and elbows for your drops and bends. Sharp bends will kill suction. look at this for example. http://www.nibco.com/Fittings/Plastic-F ... H-PVC-DWV/.

Check out Bill Pentz's page on ducting: http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclon ... g.cfm#FAQs

Edit: the answer to your question also depends on what you are trying to do. Do you want to just pick up chips and large dust, basically just keeping you from having to sweep up your shop as much? If that's all, then yes a 2 hp collector will handle that. Just wear a cartridge respirator all the time (even for hours after you're done making dust) to keep the fine stuff out of your lungs. If you want to get all the fine dust then no, a 2 hp collector will not be sufficient. You will need a larger system.