Replies

1. 
   Buster2000 | Oct 23, 2006 08:53pm | #1

   Yes a very passionate topic.

   I believe Bill Pentz suggested using metal tape on the tube rather than a wire.  You should check his site out.

2. 
   forestgirl | Oct 24, 2006 01:25am | #2

   If you're worried about a dust explosion, don't -- the liklihood if that happening is about the same as Billy Crystal getting elected president next term.  If you take great exception at getting a static shock occasionally, ground it.  Personally, I don't bother.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

3. 
   frenchy | Oct 24, 2006 02:43am | #3

   Erich.

    Don't worry, be happy!

     Grap a piece of any copper wire and run it on the outside of the plastic tubing make it metal to metal so you might need to runit under the clamp..

    Static electricity isn't real high amps  for long enough duration to affect the wire so an old extension cord or piece of speakerwire will provide you with all the grounding you really need..

    I foolishly ran a really heavy piece of wire inside of my plastic ducting and it promptly collected enough chips and stuff to plug it up..

    

1. 
   Mike&L | Oct 24, 2006 03:24am | #4

   I am in the PROCESS of implementing dust control in my basement workshop as well.

   I say process, because you will find that it is a continuing project.  Sort of a journey.

   I first installed a Delta bag-style collector - kinda big, kinda noisy.  It gets all the chips and much of the dust, but.......

   Every darn machine needs it's own specialized, trial & error setup to get most of the dust from that machine - the dust port on the machine was almost always added as an afterthought.  You'll get to continue the thinking and experimenting until you are satisfied that you've done all you have the patience and the wallet for.

   You still won't get all the dust.  I have a 1 micron bag on my machine, which does a good job of filtering out the stuff that goes into the bag, but..... lots of process don't go into the bag.  Like sanding out my latest whatever-it-is-that-I'm-building.

   Sooooo, my next project is a sanding table-top box thingey that is large enough to cover about 75% of my workbench, has one zillion holes in the top, and a 4 inch hose nob in one side to go to my dust collector.

   I'm sure that there will be others.

   One thing that is really helping in the interim, however, are two 20 inch box fans (on sale at present for $9.95 (end of the end of the season clearance), each with a cheap furnace filter taped to it's intake, and running on the floor in opposite directions whenever I'm in the shop - takes all the dust out of the air - really!

   Others will advise you as well - be brave and carry on :))

   Mike D 

1. 
   DonStephan | Oct 28, 2006 03:04am | #11

   Mike:When I once looked at commercial sanding tables, they had humongous impeller motors to try to get the dust moving down into the table before becoming airborne. Very doubtful you'll have good results with the bag collector and 4" opening.As an option, take at look at the Festool HVLP shop vac. I'm able to use it with my Bosch 5" and 6" ROS, and very little dust escapes. There is much more noticeable suction when I lift the sander off the surface than when I use my 5 HP Sears shop vac with the sander. Festool gadgets are expensive, but in this case I found it justified.My 2 cents.

4. 
   Toto | Oct 24, 2006 04:08am | #5

   If you want to ground your ductwork, use metal pipe. Plastic pipe, being an excellent insulator, just cannot be grounded.

   --
   Todd
1. 
   erich | Oct 24, 2006 07:49pm | #6

   Hi Everybody,Thanks for all the responses! It sounds like I may not get too worked up about the grounding thing at this point. Since I don't think Billy Crystal is headed for the White House, (but gosh, wouldn't things be funnier around here if he were? "This was not in the broucher!" :) )I guess I don't need to be lots concerned about a dust explosion (not that I distrust the venerable Forest Girl, I really value her advice, but would anyone care to second her comment for my peace of mind?). I can't wait until I can truely embark on the "Process" of dust collection, I really like the way Mike put it, but as I said, I'm kind of here in Georgia only temporarily and can't devote much time or space to a true "system". So my little Grizzly will help me out for the time being with what chips and dust my schedule allows me to make. Thanks again everybody and I continue to be open to thoughts and suggestions. Cheers...Erich

1. 
   QCInspector | Oct 24, 2006 09:49pm | #7

   "I guess I don't need to be lots concerned about a dust explosion (not that I distrust the venerable Forest Girl, I really value her advice, but would anyone care to second her comment for my peace of mind?"Me! Me! Let me!Here is the proof.http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rodec/woodworking/articles/DC_myths.html

1. 
   erich | Oct 24, 2006 10:27pm | #9

   Hey, thanks again everyone. That link is awesome (well, not awesome in the "I just won 2 million dollars" way, but you know what I mean). Thanks for the "seconds". I'm going to go home and make some dust today just so I can collect it without worrying that I'm going to be blown to pieces. :)Erich

2. 
   xmike | Oct 25, 2006 04:25pm | #10

   Great article!  Based on all the urban ledgends, I had been concerned about using PVC ducts.  Now I'm not!

   Mike

2. 
   BruceS | Oct 24, 2006 10:01pm | #8

   Ever watch the Myth Busters ??  They Busted the Myth of dust explosions but did confirm the possibilities of Static shocks.Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S.