Too cheap to buy real dc pipe-Part 2
A couple of weeks ago I posted a question about using dryer vent hose for dust collection. As is normal in this column, if you ask 20 woodworkers a question, you’ll get 30 opinions. So I took the plunge, went to the home centre and plunked down $8 for a 10ft. piece. It works like a hot damn. I’m talking about flexible aluminum dryer vent hose, not the rigid pipe. I really like it because it’s flexible but holds its shape, it’s very light, doesn’t create static and it’s about a quarter of the price of flexible plastic dc hose. I will only use it for the flexible connections between the machine and my 4″ pvc collection system. I hooked it up on the weekend to my planer and it worked just fine. Then I dropped the end of the hose on the floor and started sweeping the floor into it. There were some sizable chunks and a few screws that got sucked up, but the hose was not damaged at all. I don’t think it would stand up to a lot of handling, it’s pretty fragile, but once it’s in place it works fine. If you’re really cheap, like me, give it a try.
Replies
Jim,
If you find that the dryer pipe has a short life, head over to your local sheet metal shop and have them order you some commercial grade steel flex pipe. I used to install dust collectors in the 80's. Had a boss that went with the cheap stuff on some lathes in a high school. The chips wore a hole were the chips hit the wall in the corners in 2 months time. The soft plastic stuff creates turbulence that reduces flow and increases wear. The smoother the pipe the better.
Joe Phillips
Plastics pay the bills, Woodworking keeps me sane!
Joe, I think you are thinking I'm using plastic dryer vent hose. The stuff I'm talking about is all aluminum. I have only used it a few times, so I can't say how well it will hold up over time, but so far I'm happy with it. I've just cobbled it together for the time being while I plane a bunch of cedar for a project. I haven't even bothered clamping it. I plan on doing a proper installation when I get this project done. As you will see in the pix, I've got it running through a garbage can separator. Check out the sweet couplers! Anything to save a buck!
Jim,
I was thinking that you were using the aluminum dryer hose. It will work for some time. With heavy chip loads it will fail over time either from flexing or from chip wear. The point I was that if you can get a sheet metal shop to sell it at there cost , it will be close to the same price as the dryer pipe.
Sheet metal guys are great to have as friends.
Joe Phillips
Plastics pay the bills, Woodworking keeps me sane!
I'll check that out. You're probably right about the dryer hose.
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