Replies

1. 
   bob_barnett | Aug 17, 2008 05:59am | #1

   It will catch on fire and burn!

1. 
   mytulpa | Aug 17, 2008 03:21pm | #2

   why? i doubt that very much.

2. 
   bones | Aug 17, 2008 05:17pm | #3

   Interesting concept.  I have a question though how would you join the sections? Is it truly sealed or would you loose suction?  Is it that much cheaper than PVC?

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
3. 
   md2453 | Aug 18, 2008 03:06am | #4

   Mytulpa:

   Seems that there was an article in Fine WSoodworking or Woodwork Magazine about a guy who plumbed his whole shop with 4 inch paper tubes from rolls of carpet.  Seemed to work pretty well.  He even made his own "y's" and "T's and elbows.

   Madison

4. 
   JMartinsky | Aug 18, 2008 05:32am | #5

   Dear t,
   You probably could, but I can't see why you would want to. Could I get a bulldozer to fly? I suppose one could, but again..... why? Here's how I see it:

   Negatives:
   1) Sono tubes are designed to withstand internal pressure, not external pressure, so I would think that a collapse at one point would seem likely.

   2) The minimum tubes are 8" I believe, but even if they are 6", do you have the cyclone or leaf blower to draw that type of air?

   3) Connections as pointed out will be tricky.

   4) One mouse could eat your system.

   5) You may be able to run your drill press with the static electricity that is generated.

   6) Humidity will ruin your system.

   7) The tubes are designed to decay.

   Positives:

   1) ????????????????????????

   Best,

   John

   
   

   ---

   Edited 8/18/2008 7:09 pm ET by Jmartinsky

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 19, 2008 01:48am | #6

   "You may be able to run your drill press with the static electricity that is generated."  I don't even know what a SonoTube is, but that was funny!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   Buster2000 | Aug 19, 2008 02:01am | #7

   Sonotube is a cardboard tube used for concrete forms.  You've probably seen the round footings under a deck...  Sonotube.

   If I remember correctly the last time I used it the inside was coated with what felt like a waxy substance.  Probably to keep the coardboard from soaking through.  I doubt it would be very good for dust collection.

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 19, 2008 02:39am | #8

   OK, yeah, I've seen those.  Not a thought spent, though, on the prospect of using them as dust collection ducting. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   stillfigurinitout | Aug 29, 2008 01:50am | #9

   Many classic lines in one post.  Great stuff.  I used a 16-inch diameter sonotube for the tube assembly of a telescope.  Not really that uncommon (less so these days) in the amatuer astronomy hobby.  It was stored in a detacted garage.  One day I noticed a small area of paint missing and a smaller hole. Upon closer inspection, a rodent of unidentified species, had taken some meals on my telescope.  Teeth marks were clearly evident.   Over time, if I had let that continue, he would have eaten the whole thing and I doubt that rodent could have squeeze through the door, ever again.