Making the most of what we have...

**lyricnz** · 30th September 2020, 08:47 AM

So, a lot of us probably have a basic DE that we purchased with the best intent, before learning anything about ducting, pipe sizes, LPHV, etc. So, what's the best thing to do now - for under $1000 say? Does the DE absolutely need replacing? Modifying? Or can we work with it, and "right" ducting? What about a cyclone?

I've got a stock Woodman DE-212 which appears to be 2HP (on the label), 150mm intake with a 2x100m splitter (one is blocked off). It's got two dust-collector bags, which I can see clouds of dust come off whenever I start it, which I assume is a bad thing

. Right now I just connect a length of flexi hose to either the table saw (saw enclosure only) or router (fence+enclosure). I use a cheap shop vac for the mitre saw, and ... to be honest, nothing for any of the sanders (belt/wheel sander, random orbit) or the bandsaw. I've got a 750W little DE thing on the floor+wheels with a bag, but it appears to be totally useless.

I hardly use the jointer or thicknesser yet, but they're on wheels, so I should probably push them over near the DE and connect it.

Shop is a mostly-dedicated double garage in rural setting so neighbours no problem. I've got a bunch of 100mm? PVC ducting I can use, and a few intake-things that arrived with my machinery (like a floor sweeper thingy, and a pyramid-shaped thing that probably goes over a dusty tool?)

Eventually "when I get a new workshop" I'd like to move the DE outside, and the compressor, because they're so bloody noisy. But there's probably no room next to my garage without lots of gardening and probably getting closer to the boundary than I'm allowed.

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**BobL** · 30th September 2020, 09:26 AM

3 basic things.

1) Locate the DC (or enclose in an air tight cupboard and vent is) outside.
2) Use 6" ducting where you can.
3) Make sure you open up machine ports to make full use of the 6" ducting
Look in this (long) thread for ideas
Improving machine cabinet dust ports

Consider some forced cross shed ventilation (a couple of bathroom fans) that you can run for some time after making lots of dust.

**lyricnz** · 30th September 2020, 10:18 AM

Thanks for the tips. I'm still reading the (long!) thread on modifying the DE. Worthwhile on such a cheap DE? Any point in a cyclone if it's outside anyway?

My saw has a large plastic panel with the DE port at the bottom of it - should be easy enough to remove the panel and replace with ply and a larger hole. Would do that _after_ moving the DC and expanding the piping. I'd really like to free up the space used by the DC (outside), but would also need to sort out remote switch etc.

I can't do much about the router fence/cabinet, it's an incra fence with a 2:1 splitter on the back of the cabinet for the top and fence. A last minute 150->100mm as it enters the machine probably wouldn't help.

**BobL** · 30th September 2020, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by lyricnz

Thanks for the tips. I'm still reading the (long!) thread on modifying the DE. Worthwhile on such a cheap DE? Any point in a cyclone if it's outside anyway?

It's worthwhile modifying it if you want to run 6" ducting if you don't modify it the 6" won't be very effective. The most air you will get thru this DC in a modified form is with "clean" bags. If you add a cyclone you will automatically slow it down.

My saw has a large plastic panel with the DE port at the bottom of it - should be easy enough to remove the panel and replace with ply and a larger hole. Would do that _after_ moving the DC and expanding the piping.

It will work, but better still would be (instead of a flat shed) make up an inverted pyramid or cone OR use a Bell mouth hood exit.

I'd really like to free up the space used by the DC (outside), but would also need to sort out remote switch etc.

A dead simple remote would be to zip time the switch in the on position and turn not on/off via a powerpoint inside the shed.

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