Connecting tools to the DC

I'm putting a fair amount of time into learning some of the fundamentals of dust collection, right now … in order to plan for that Happy Day when I plumb my shop.

Meaning … I'm NOT the voice of experience, but have picked up some of the theoretical stuff from some reading.

My only concern with your plan is this: some of these machines require higher CFM than others for effective dust collection-so MUCH higher than you're (again, in theory) surpassing the CFM capacity of the 4" ports on your machines.

So … ideally … you'd use any of the hundreds of good sources of info to work through this by:

- establishing the CFM needs of EACH machine (and adding them together, if you plan to pull dust from 2+ at the same time),

- figuring out the size ports and ducting you'll need based ON those CFM calcs

- figuring out the layout, and then how you'll accomplish that (how many feet of pipe, flex hose, PVC, or whatever, how many wyes, how many bends, etc., etc.)

- the static pressure that all of those elements will create

- how many CFM your DC will need to create in order to achieve that many CFM at the machine, through that plumbing.

If you already HAVE the DC, then it may be even more important to "do it right-" particularly if your DC can't overcome "improper" ports, or "improperly" sized ductwork.

Here's but ONE source that helps understand the process:

http://www.oneida-air.com/design/ductguide.pdf

I realize, now, that … if you really want to build your shop right … it IS a great option to BEGIN with the dust collection, and work everything out from there.

Are 4" ports going to be a source of ongoing pain, frustration, and regret, if you don't change them ? Oh, I doubt it. Just food for thought about trying to "optimize" your system.

Also … Bill Pentz's site IS a treasure trove of DC info:

http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/index.cfm

Have fun !

Thanks for the replies guys. I finished most of the work this weekend, but won't be able to test the setup until the blast gates arrive in the mail (right now, if I turn on the system, every port is open… even then, suction at the nearest machines ain't bad).

If I had unlimited time and money, I would: 6" pipe throughout (including changing ports on all machines), no 90 bends anywhere, bigger dust collector etc.

As it is, I'm positive that my 2 hp harbor freight with thein baffle system is underpowered. I will NOT be catching all the fine dust (I have read Pentz info, emailed with him, and done all the calculations). I WILL have to sweep up the floor at times still.

But, I figure, at a certain point with limited means you just gotta go for it, make iterative improvements as needed, wear a respirator, and get to woodworking instead of DC designing.