Thread: Deciding on new dust extraction system

Originally Posted by Tuckers

my thoughts after reading allot of threads on here is i need to go 150mm ducting where ever possible and change all machine ports to 150mm

That's a start.

However, given the size of your shed I'd say the DC7 is too small for your shed.
Instead of spending on room air filters, pleated, filters and a 3HP machine with a cyclone, I'd go straight to a Clearvuemax (4HP, 16" impeller) on a 240-415V VFD
I's put the cyclone outside in an acoustically isolated enclosure.

Use a 9" PVC trunk line and 6" drop downs to machines.
I'd also consider adding some forced ventilation.
Big job but you won't regret it.

Thanks BobL

yes I was looking at the clearvue last night, outside isn’t really an option due to noise and the area around my workshop is already in use or to hard to access to empty the bin. Thinking of the cyclone unit inside and venting it outside so won’t need the filters, I can build a small acoustic box around the motor and cyclone inside to reduce noise later, this would be far easier to empty the bin.

how far can I run the ducting before i lose effect as this might change where I put it.

also thinking of installing 2 or 3 X 150mm bathroom fans hooked to 150mm pipe venting outside, would this be sufficient to vent the invisible dust?

im happy to spend the time and money to get it right so that’s not a problem.

Originally Posted by Tuckers

Thanks BobL

yes I was looking at the clearvue last night, outside isn’t really an option due to noise and the area around my workshop is already in use or to hard to access to empty the bin. Thinking of the cyclone unit inside and venting it outside so won’t need the filters, I can build a small acoustic box around the motor and cyclone inside to reduce noise later, this would be far easier to empty the bin.

how far can I run the ducting before i lose effect as this might change where I put it.

also thinking of installing 2 or 3 X 150mm bathroom fans hooked to 150mm pipe venting outside, would this be sufficient to vent the invisible dust?

im happy to spend the time and money to get it right so that’s not a problem.

The duct run using a 16" impeller is not a problem for the average hobbyist, mine for instance is about 11 metres using a 15" impeller and 65hz speed on the VFD. The outside noise can be limited to tolerable levels with careful design of the exhaust baffle, mine went from 92db to about 68db or thereabouts, there is a thread(s) in this forum showing what I did. Put the cyclone inside the workshop in a baffled cabinet and the air noise through the vents will be louder than the cyclone.

Originally Posted by Tuckers

Thanks BobL
yes I was looking at the clearvue last night, outside isn’t really an option due to noise and the area around my workshop is already in use or to hard to access to empty the bin. Thinking of the cyclone unit inside and venting it outside so won’t need the filters, I can build a small acoustic box around the motor and cyclone inside to reduce noise later, this would be far easier to empty the bin.

That sounds like teh way to go.

how far can I run the ducting before i lose effect as this might change where I put it.

There's no real hard and fast answer to this - flow degrades approximately proportional to distance.
It's up to you determine what you find acceptable.
If you use 9" ducting as a trunk line you can go for many 10's of metres without losing flow.

also thinking of installing 2 or 3 X 150mm bathroom fans hooked to 150mm pipe venting outside, would this be sufficient to vent the invisible dust?
im happy to spend the time and money to get it right so that’s not a problem.

2/3 bathroom fans won't be enough for a 150m^2 shed.
If you get the Clearvue you're unlikely to need any fine dust exhausting for machines.
I still like what I called soft ventilation (exhaust fans) as I hate running the DC at times when there is only light dust generation.
For a big shed you'll need a bit more the Bathroom exhaust fans.

As a guide our mens shed is 140m^2 and we use the large Evap AC fan on "low" for constant ventilation - this take s care of hand tools and most fine power tool dust plus the stuff that escapes dust blocked on machines by workpieces etc.

For something with a bit more grunt than bathroom fans check out Hydroponics or Chook barn ventilation fans.

There’s a big one for sale on Australian Woodworking tools/timber buy swap sell on the Facebook Marketplace, big cyclone unit and lots of what looks like 150 metal ducting. A lady named “Belinda Reid” is selling it.

Okay so I’ve decided on the Clearvue Cmax just waiting on Clearvue Australia coming back to me with final price and availability.

I have to put the unit inside but can vent it outside, I think I will build an acoustic box inside for it to hide in to lower the noise level.

225mm PVC main duct with 150mm off shoots, thinking of putting in some Auto blast gates on the saw, thicknesser, planer and mitre saw. What’s the best ones around? My only concern is if I have all manual gates closed and an auto one open on say the saw, then I turn the saw off but not the cyclone, what happens when the saw auto gate closes and all other gates are closed. System won’t be sucking anything, will it damage it?

once I get the system I will start a new thread as I’m thinking I’ll need help from some of you who have done this before.

With a Max you can leave a blast gate open as it is able to clear two machines at the same time. Running a DC with the pipes closed won't hurt it because the air is just spinning around in the impeller and not doing any work, therefore it actually drops the amperage. It will sound louder and give the impression it is unhappy but it won't matter to the motor.

A couple members have recently formed a blast gate company you should look into.
Auto Blast Gates Australia is Now Open For Business
https://autoblastgates.com.au

Pete

Originally Posted by Tuckers

I will start a new thread as I’m thinking I’ll need help from some of you who have done this before.

It may be worth your while to post a basic plan before you buy/build the ducting system.

Originally Posted by QC Inspector

With a Max you can leave a blast gate open as it is able to clear two machines at the same time. Running a DC with the pipes closed won't hurt it because the air is just spinning around in the impeller and not doing any work, therefore it actually drops the amperage. It will sound louder and give the impression it is unhappy but it won't matter to the motor.

That's interesting you say that because the overall noise levels in my shed drops because there's no moving air sound.

One thing I just though of, from where the cyclone will be housed the roof has a 5 degree slip on it. My ducting will run down this to the machines, will this small angle make a difference to the performance?

Originally Posted by Tuckers

Okay so I’ve decided on the Clearvue Cmax just waiting on Clearvue Australia coming back to me with final price and availability.

I have to put the unit inside but can vent it outside, I think I will build an acoustic box inside for it to hide in to lower the noise level.

225mm PVC main duct with 150mm off shoots, thinking of putting in some Auto blast gates on the saw, thicknesser, planer and mitre saw. What’s the best ones around? My only concern is if I have all manual gates closed and an auto one open on say the saw, then I turn the saw off but not the cyclone, what happens when the saw auto gate closes and all other gates are closed. System won’t be sucking anything, will it damage it?

once I get the system I will start a new thread as I’m thinking I’ll need help from some of you who have done this before.

I’ve been waiting Six months for a quote, emails, phone calls, messages, still no response or answers, given up on them now.

Originally Posted by QC Inspector

A couple members have recently formed a blast gate company you should look into.
Auto Blast Gates Australia is Now Open For Business
https://autoblastgates.com.au

Pete

As I am involved in the Auto Blast Gates business and the original importer of Clearvue Cyclones you can contact me through our website or via a PM here and we can assess your requirements for the whole system including the blast gates.

Thanks Chris, the blast gates look great, I have sent an email through your site

CHEERS