DIYbanter - View Single Post

dpb

zzzzzzzzzz wrote:
On Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:52:29 -0500, dpb wrote:

zzzzzzzzzz wrote:
...

How to get from the DC to a 4" piece of PVC pipe? They make PVC to DC
fittings, but that gets me from pipe to flex hose. I'd like to go solid pipe
from my DC to separator (three right angles and a little pipe) and from there
out, but can't figure out how to do it without flex somewhere in the middle.
OK, I'll try to see if I can ascertain what I did use...I don't have any
flex except some metallic flex. It'll have to be some time next week as
planning on being gone over weekend...

What's your actual actual DC port dimensions you need to fit?

They're all over the place. Flex tubing and clamps make up for a lot of sins
but trying to connect anything solid to the things is iffy. I've even had
problems with quick disconnects, making them nearly useless.

Port measurements
Unisaw = 3.88" O.D.
DW735 = 3.95" O.D.
DC = 3.93" O.D. (4" port didn't measure the 6")

4" Thinwall PVC elbow = 4.26"

Some miscellaneous DC fittings:

4" to 2-1/2" reducer = 3.97"
90 degree elbow = 3.91"
DC - PVC connector = 3.93" O.D. 4.36" I.D.
"Y" = 4.00"
Blast gate = 3.97"
Male Coupling = 4.00"

OK, I see what I did...man, I'm apparently aged...

I _DID_ have some similar troubles but had totally forgotten what I had
done. It's a combination of things including a couple wraps of metallic
tape on the smaller OD fittings but the primary solution was to take the
PVC fitting to the saw and slice a couple kerfs in it so it could be
compressed. On the tablesaw (PM-66) I then used a bead of caulk and pan
head sheet metal screws to put it in place and compress it to the port.
It's not absolutely air tight, but not bad. Similar tricks elsewhere.

The other thing I used I don't know where to recommend to try to get but
it works pretty well if you can find (and afford) it. In a former life
I did online coal analyzer engineering support at coal mines, prep
plants and utilities. In the prep plants I found flex metal duct in 4-,
5-, and 6-inch sizes and managed to acquire quite a bit of cutoffs. It
serves where you've used the plastic flex w/ a similar fitting trick
like on the PVC (sometimes shrink, sometimes gain a little). Another
thing I've used for smaller ports is similar but cheaper is the air
cleaner aspirator hose off the farm tractor -- it's readily available at
any Deere or other farm supply in various sizes altho not sure up to 4"
for it.

I don't have any idea what vendor the metal flex I have is; it has no
discernible markings and it's been 20 years nearly and it was scavenged
or "donated" rather than purchased. The link here is similar stuff...

http://www.tru-flex.com/Industrial/poly-flex.php

But, I'll repeat that the biggest trick was that I just modified the
fittings, particularly PVC to suit and splitting them to allow to
constrict them was the biggest thing. Since they just sit there and I
didn't disconnect at that point when moved, I'd completely forgotten
about what I'd actually done...

--