Hey all,
With the addition of a piped dust collection system I am planning to add a downdraft table for collecting fine dust while hand sanding. I would also like to pipe a hose to the port on the sander itself (Porter-Cable ROS) to maximize efficiency. I can do this in several ways and I'm looking for opinions as to what might work best and be the least cumbersome with which to work.
I am planning to run 6" pipe all the way to the machines and a 6x6x6 wye will be dedicated to a shop-made downdraft table that will essentially be a 8" tall box with a pegboard top and 6" connection on the end. To this setup I will be adding a 1 1/2" hose that will run to the dust collection port on the sander.
My question is, should I connect the 1 1/2" hose directly to the main DC pipe and run it to the sander from there or can I use the downdraft "box" as a plenum and attach it to the far end? i.e. run the 6" flex hose to one end of the box and put a 1 1/2" port in the box, to which I attach the 1 1/2" hose to the sander OR run both the 6" flex and 1 1/2" hose from the main drop - one to the box, one to the sander?
Attaching the smaller-diameter hose to the box is going to be the more convenient option, I just don't know if there will be enough suction to pull from the sander's port after going through the downdraft box. Has anyone tried a setup like this and how is the collection? Also, any recommendations for the smaller-diameter hose to the sander? I've looked at Festool and Fein hoses that seem a little pricey so I'm leaning toward a 12-ft hose from "Mr. Nozzle" - any opinions or recommendations?
The system is being powered by a 3hp Grizzly with a Thien separator and 6" pipe. The sanding setup will be pretty close to the blower unit so there won't be more than 20' of pipe and a couple hard elbows between it and the downdraft box setup.
Thanks,
Steve