Thread: Interconnecting 4" Y sections and gates

Originally Posted by chopper

Hi Dust Extractors,
I'm trying to set up fixed dust extractor ports in my shed and I want to use 100MM PVC piping, but interconnections are a bit of a challenge. The Hare & Forbes 100mm gates won't plug directly into the H&F 100mm Y sections. The only connection alternative I can see is using short lengths of their 4"+ flexible ducting between the two elements.

Similarly if I want to connect a H&F 100mm gate to 100MM PVC ducting, I hit a similar conundrum. Does anyone know of a work around?

Those fittings are in a simple word "awful". 100 mm ducting a dog to begin with since it restricts the airflow but those gates and Y's are even worse because they are smaller still and throttle the flow even more. Then they also bind up and are a pain to clean. I think they make those gates deliberately that size so it makes it awkward to use them with PVC sewage pipe. The way I joined them was to pack the male ends of the gates with masking tape and the cut 35 mm slots into the ends of the ducting and use a 100 mm clamp on the outside of the dust - not a very good solution.
Flex is also a flow killer but it probably matters little since the flow is murdered already by the gates.
If you have to use those gates the first thing I would recommend is to remove the little tabs on the inside of the gates so that the whole gate can be removed and the sliders cleaned with a hacksaw blade.

If you can I would return the Y sections and purchase PVC sewage fittings and either make your own gates or look at what someone like Mini is offering.

To prevent the gates becoming clogged drill a small hole at each blind corner so that air can leak in and move any dust that would settle in the side slides or ends. You might need several holes to get enough air in, try one and work up in number.

Thanks for the feedback. I worked out a partial solution. Bunnings sell these thin blue 4" ag pipe joining sleeves. One end fits quite snugly on the H&F Gate sections, the other end has an raised edge that has to be sanded down.

The other thing I did was place 4 vertical cuts into the end of the Y section, each cut about 20mm deep. Then wrap about 9 turns of pvc duct tape around the 90mm PVC pipe and then push it into the Y pipe, wrap more duct tape round the whole joint and re-inforced with a wire clamp. A dogs breakfast. Which will be pain to maintain, duct tape seems to be the 'solution' to most things....... anyway we'll see how it goes. I'll also look at drilling those holes in the gates to stop them clogging up.

Currently I have an H&F 1200cfm extractor. Does anyone have a larger one eg 2300 they want to sell? I'm running a 8M long of 90mm PVC tube with 5 gates off it, approx 3M flexible tubing per gate. Only expect to use one gate at a time.

Chopper, if the 100 mm pipe is a "dog" then 90 mm pipe is a "demented pup" and it won't matter what size conventional DC you use with it since this will severely restrict the air flow.

A conventional DC (almost irrespective of size) can only pull ~450 cfm through 100 mm ducting so it has to be less for 90 mm. With 8 m of 90 mm ducting my guess is you are probably down around 250 cfm.

Instead of spending money on a bigger DC it would be far more cost effective to invest in 150 mm ducting at least on your main trunkline. 10 m of 6 mm ducting should only cost $100. I don't know how may Y's and 90º you have but maybe they can be added a few at a time as you go.

The gaffer tape solution is one I have tried and although it seals the ducting it produces abrupt transitions which produce turbulence inside the pipe and leads to even slower flow although at 250 cfm it probably doesn't matter much.

Changing the subject slightly...does anyone know where flexible clear 6" dusty hosing can be had??

I agree completely with BobL's comments, and am in the process of removing my elaborate network of 4" hoses and blast gates cluttering up the floor. Instead, I've positioned my 2hp dusty in the middle of the machines that need it, and will just connect to the machine in use at the time with the quick connect sleeve.

Now, I've read that the most efficient dust extraction can be had by removing the 2 way splitter on the faceplate of the dusty (revealing a 6" single port), running flexible 6" hose of no more than about 2m, then performing the step down to a 4" adapter at the end of this. I used to have a length of the clear 4" flexible hose from Carbiforbes, but cannot find a similar product in 6"

Any suggestions for a local supplier? I'm sure it could be had at any self-respecting corner store in the US of A, but postage is a bit of a killer....

Cheers

BobL and Coy
Okay, if 150mm is the go and I have a DC that comes with a 90mm port, am I doomed to 250cfm or less?
I presume I could take off the 90mm port on my Hare and Forbes DC and replace it with one thats 150mm; or could I get away with a 150-90mm reduction fitting?

Thanks for the feedback, I really look forward to a clean and tidy shed....for a change.

Originally Posted by chopper

I have a DC that comes with a 90mm port, am I doomed to 250cfm or less?
I presume I could take off the 90mm port on my Hare and Forbes DC and replace it with one thats 150mm; or could I get away with a 150-90mm reduction fitting?

Chopper any reduction in duct size even an adapter at the DC will reduce the air flow. If it is possible enlarge the DC inlet to 150mm and maintain your ducting at 150mm right up to the dust source.

Originally Posted by chopper

BobL and Coy
Okay, if 150mm is the go and I have a DC that comes with a 90mm port, am I doomed to 250cfm or less?
I presume I could take off the 90mm port on my Hare and Forbes DC and replace it with one thats 150mm; or could I get away with a 150-90mm reduction fitting? )

It will be essential to open up the port on the DC to 150 mm.

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Changing the subject slightly...does anyone know where flexible clear 6" dusty hosing can be had??

Mini has it and so do carabtech.