Thread: A few questions about my setup for dust management

Originally Posted by Jekkil

1. The dust collector has a 150mm inlet port. I know that ideally I should run a 150mm dust hose as close as possible to the source of dust but this is not feasible in my small workshop. I only have 100mm hoses and 150mm hoses are too bulky for the small space. The question is: would you use an adapter from 150mm to 100mm to run a single hose or would you use one of those Y connectors so that I can run 2 hoses at the time?

It's only worth using 150 mm ducting or hose if the 2HP DC is modded according to the sticky at the top of the dust forum. This is because the hose between the impeller and filter bag housing limits the air flow so unless that junction is enlarged there little gain.

Using two 100 hoses and the standard DC Y junction generates a much smaller advantage than you might think because the inside of that Y junction is where the incoming air flows smash into each other causing great turbulence. There's even a chance you could get less air flow than using a single 100mm hose. A better way to use 2x 100mm hoses in that situation would be to install a 150mm Y with a 100 mm side junction onto the DC, and the uses 150-100 mm adapter on the other open end of the Y. Once again you'd only see significant benefit of the DC is modded as described above.

3. Would you run the air filter continuosly, even when I'm using the table saw or any other tool? Or would you run it at the end of the session for 2 or 3 hours? I have mixed feeling about this one. Running it during the woodworking session mean that the filter could clog very quickly but the filter will catch a lot of the fine particles. On the other hand, running it at the end of the session means that the filter will clear the air at the end of the day but during the day the fine particles will be there for me to breathe them and for them to lay everywhere.

A standard 2HP DC is going to leave a lot of fine dust behind at source so unless you use your room air filter to try and grab that dust that you will be breathing that dust in continuously. If the filter blocks you'll just have to clean it more often.

4. If the answer to question 3 is "run it always", would you run it also if the garage door is open?

Given you have a small shop, provided the garage door is left open, installing a couple of bathroom exhaust fans (on the opposite shed wall to the door) to extract the fine dust continuously is probably a much cheaper solution than a room air filter and they will never block.

Thanks BoB!! I was hoping in one of your answers!!


Are you talking about something like this? https://www.timbecon.com.au/dust-ext...nector-fitting


If I understand well, if I wanted to use the Y connector with the 2 100mm ports, I will need to keep closed the port I'm not using, right? So I'm still using the DC on a single tool at the time but I can run two hoses without the need to move it everysingle time. Am I getting this right? Or the Y connectors should be avoided even if using a port at the time?


I think you already suggested to use some extraction fan at the opposite side of the garage door. Unfortunately, the garage door is the only opening. All other walls are in common with the house, therefore the fans would send the dust inside the house...I'm pretty sure my wife won't be happy with that!!

Originally Posted by Jekkil

Thanks BoB!! I was hoping in one of your answers!!


Are you talking about something like this? https://www.timbecon.com.au/dust-ext...nector-fitting

Yes that is the type but I would not use them as they go inside the flex (and further slow down air flow), a better option is those that go outside the flex.
100mm PVC stormwater fittings will do this. They dont quite fit so there's a bit of phapphing about involved.

If I understand well, if I wanted to use the Y connector with the 2 100mm ports, I will need to keep closed the port I'm not using, right? So I'm still using the DC on a single tool at the time but I can run two hoses without the need to move it everysingle time. Am I getting this right? Or the Y connectors should be avoided even if using a port at the time?

you can but you will need a blast gate on both junctions to draw max air from the working machine.

I think you already suggested to use some extraction fan at the opposite side of the garage door. Unfortunately, the garage door is the only opening. All other walls are in common with the house, therefore the fans would send the dust inside the house...I'm pretty sure my wife won't be happy with that!!

Chimney?

Originally Posted by BobL

Chimney?

Into the bedroom!