Thread: Would it be worth the trouble???

Originally Posted by TTIT

Got a question for the experts - or anyone with an opinion or a clue will do too!
I've got a 2hp dusty in an enclosure outside my shed so moving it around is not an option. My problem is that the big bandsaw is about 13m of conduit away from the dusty and there's just not enough 'pull' to clear it even half decently. I also have a couple of spurs off the main-line, one about 3m and another about 2m to the gates from the main-line so I'm pulling air from roughly 19 metres of 100mm pipe altogether.
QUESTION: Would moving the gates on these 2 spurs closer to the main-line make a noticable difference at the bandsaw????? eg: removing 5 metres of total pipe-length

Another option I'm wondering about is putting the blower from a little 1hp job inline close to the bandsaw as a booster - reckon that would be worthwhile???

Adding a 1HP will do nothing as your limiting step is using 100 mm diam ducting (and my guess is the 2HP has 5" ducting between the blower and the bags) so the best thing you could do is upgrade all the 4" and 5" to 6" ducting. Remember it has to be 6" all the way up to the machine. I measured a 500 mm length of 4" pipe connected to a 3HP DC and it only pulls 404 CFM - theoretically it should be between 400 and 430 CFM.
Adding the 1HP inline to 6" ducting is a waste of time as it ail have 4" in/outs so it will actually slow down the 2HP DC.

Your BS probably has 2 x 4" inlets and these are probably choked (ie attached to chambers with limited air intakes). Ideally these chambers have to be opened up (ie cut vents in them) so that as much air can get into them as can be taken out. Also 3 x 4" are required to not choke 6" ducting connected to a 2 or 3HP DC. The third 4" can be placed anywhere near the BS cutting action. I hook mine underneath the table where a lot of dust seems to be generated.

Reducing pipe length will always help - for a 13m length of pipe you really should be using a 4HP unit.

If the 1HP dusty is in working order, set it up near the bandsaw as a dedicated dusty.
If not, buy a new 2HP job for the bandsaw, it will be cheaper in the long run.

Hmmm - food for thought. I see your point about the volume of the main-line Bob but increasing it just seems like too big a job. But then the alternatives are no different
No room for a second dusty Cliff even though it would certainly solve the problem If I could just move the shed about 300mm further away from the fence I'd be laughin'! - could plant another enclosure outside the wall behind the bandsaw - wonder if the neighbours would worry if I moved the fence

Will have to ponder this one a while longer

Don't forget the DC can still be inside the shed as long as it is enclosed and vents outside.

Put it on the roof, right over the band saw.

My BS when connected to the cyclone had abysmal dust collection or to put it another way it trapped the dust really well. The problem was that the lower cabinet did not have any method allowing the air in that the DE needed and once I fixed that issue I found that 99% of the debris were picked up and all I did was leave the door cracked enough for the air to enter. I was going to put an air vent on the door but haven't done it as cracking the door works just as well.

Thanks to Chris.

He mentioned cracking the door to me a while ago and I followed suit. I placed a chock of wood to hold the door open the desired amount and the door is held in place with a bungee strap. It works like a charm, so I have abandoned the idea of cutting holes in the door to let air in. The dust collection on my bandsaw is now excellent.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

My BS when connected to the cyclone had abysmal dust collection or to put it another way it trapped the dust really well. The problem was that the lower cabinet did not have any method allowing the air in that the DE needed and once I fixed that issue I found that 99% of the debris were picked up and all I did was leave the door cracked enough for the air to enter. I was going to put an air vent on the door but haven't done it as cracking the door works just as well.

I think you could be on the money there When I went to have a closer look I was amazed at just how little area there was on this beast for the air to enter it. My old Carbatec 17" was so open I actually blocked some of it up but this one only has a hole about 50x30 where the blade comes through, about 4x400 under the door and about 15x80 in the blade chute along the spine - Doesn't add up to anywhere near the area of a 4" port, let alone 2 of them. The first thing I'm going to try is to just hook up a hose to the bottom port and leave the top one open - the in-rush through the top port will hopefully help keep the dust airborne to get to the bottom port easier. Will let you know how it goes next time I find a log to butcher