I'm trying to develop a plan for dust collection in my small basement shop, and have hit a snag. I'm hoping the DC experts here can shed some light. First, some particulars:
1. The shop is about 13' x 23'.
2. Major stationary/benchtop dust & chip producers: Delta Contractor's Saw, Powermatic Model 54 6" Jointer, Dewalt 705 Compound Miter Saw, Jet 14" Closed Stand Band Saw, Delta 12" planer, Ridgid Ocsillating Belt/Spindle Sander, Freud FT2000 Router in table saw extention table.
3. Assorted handheld dust producers, including: Porter Cable 690 router (w/fixed & plung bases), PC 333 Random orbit Sander, Dewalt palm sander.
4. Dust/Chip Collection Arsenal: Penn State DC1B-XL 1hp dust collector w/ 5 micron bags, connected to a metal trash can w/ separator lid, Delta air cleaner (still in the box - haven't even turned it on yet), ShopVac wet/dry vac.
OK, now for the dilemma. I currently drag a 15' flex hose around from machine to machine, and as long as the filter bags in the dust collector are clean and I don't let the DC or the trash can fill up, it works just fine. I've never had a blockage or a jam, even with heavy planing. I'd like to set up a more permanent dust collection system. My idea was to use 4" PVC S&D pipe to connect the DC to the big machines, and a smaller (2 1/2"?) network from the ShopVac to my workbench for the handheld tools.
Penn State says that the DC1B-XL should not be connected to a DC system. A few years ago, that unit got a great review in one of the WW mags, and they said it would work fine with a "small, carefully designed" duct system. I know that using the flex hose results in a significant loss of "suckitude". It seems to me that an equivalent length of 4" PVC would be more efficient, as long as it's a straight run. Elbows and "Y"s in the PVC system would also reduce "suckage", but I wouldn't think it would be as much as 15' of flex hose.
In an enclosed environment like my basement shop, collecting the dust before it enters my lungs or migrates to SWMBO-Land (the rest of the house) is of great importance to me. Right now, buying a new dust collector isn't in the cards. So, is my plan wishful thinking, complete ignorance, or might it just work?
Thanks in advance.