Like many of you I lack space. Most of my shop is in the 3rd bay of a
three-car garage and many tools are on wheels. I would like to install a
fairly robust dust collection system but floor space pretty much rules out
conventional placement.

One thing I do have is ample overhead space - my garage has an 11' ceiling.
I have considered a shelf or rack of some type that would put the base of a
collector about 4-5 feet above the floor and nestled behind other floor
equipment. It might have to be emptied or serviced from a ladder.

Has anyone tried this? Are there any issues with debris lift to this
height? I have not made a selection but the machine would probably be a
1,200 - 1,500 CFM machine similar to the Grizzly G1029 or a similar Jet
machine. The Griz hast the collector inlet very close to the base. The
system would serve some or many of:

Cabinet Saw
Band Saw
Stationary Belt/Disk Sander
Oscillating Spindle Sander
Drill Press
Floor sweep chute that would be installed beneath or near the lathe
Jointer.
Scroll Saw

Thanks in advance.
RonB

RonB wrote:
Like many of you I lack space. Most of my shop is in the 3rd bay of a
three-car garage and many tools are on wheels. I would like to install a
fairly robust dust collection system but floor space pretty much rules out
conventional placement.

One thing I do have is ample overhead space - my garage has an 11' ceiling.
I have considered a shelf or rack of some type that would put the base of a
collector about 4-5 feet above the floor and nestled behind other floor
equipment. It might have to be emptied or serviced from a ladder.

Has anyone tried this? Are there any issues with debris lift to this
height? I have not made a selection but the machine would probably be a
1,200 - 1,500 CFM machine similar to the Grizzly G1029 or a similar Jet
machine. The Griz hast the collector inlet very close to the base. The
system would serve some or many of:

Cabinet Saw
Band Saw
Stationary Belt/Disk Sander
Oscillating Spindle Sander
Drill Press
Floor sweep chute that would be installed beneath or near the lathe
Jointer.
Scroll Saw

Thanks in advance.
RonB I'm using a Jet 1100 fed with overhead 4 inch lines from a tablesaw, bandsaw, router table, drill press, jointer, planer and CMS. These all climb over 10 feet to the main duct line. The only debris lift issue is with the tablesaw, due to it's openness. So just where the tablesaw ductwork starts to head up to the rafters, I've placed a Y fitting with a blast gate. Every now and then, I'll pop it open, and whatever hasn't made the climb falls out. Sometimes I'll hear a chunk of debris dancing in the vertical, and just opening the gate sends it up and away to the separator. Good idea about the floor sweep near the lathe...Tom

My friend Jim Crosby has four collectors built up and it works great
and saves him alot of room. He has a roll around ladder that he uses
to empty the bags.

Mike

I think a less than commercial machine might have trouble lifting after
a long run. Not an expert though. The reason I responded was to ask if
you have considered placing it outside. A small shed next to a
location where you have a floor vent or cut a small pass through...

RonB wrote:

....

I have considered a shelf or rack of some type that would put the base of a
collector about 4-5 feet above the floor and nestled behind other floor
equipment. It might have to be emptied or serviced from a ladder.

Has anyone tried this? Are there any issues with debris lift to this
height? I have not made a selection but the machine would probably be a
1,200 - 1,500 CFM machine similar to the Grizzly G1029 or a similar Jet
machine. The Griz hast the collector inlet very close to the base. The
system would serve some or many of:
....

Don't think there would be too much of a collection issue w/ 4" mains
although I'd recommend blast gate at major vertical lift locations for
ease "just in case".

I'd think the servicing would develop into a real pita after a while,
however. I know the older I get the less easy (and especially more
aggravating) dealing w/ such (formerly simple and routine) chores
becomes...

Don't suppose there's any chance of a small lean-to outside or stealing
from a corner of a utility room or some such to put the collector
outside the actual shop area? Could also have the advantage of taking
that noise out of the shop...

"RonB" wrote in news:xBJKe.6196$Pl1.5659@okepread02:

Like many of you I lack space. Most of my shop is in the 3rd bay of a
three-car garage and many tools are on wheels. I would like to
install a fairly robust dust collection system but floor space pretty
much rules out conventional placement.

One thing I do have is ample overhead space - my garage has an 11'
ceiling. I have considered a shelf or rack of some type that would put
the base of a collector about 4-5 feet above the floor and nestled
behind other floor equipment. It might have to be emptied or serviced
from a ladder.

Has anyone tried this? Are there any issues with debris lift to this
height? I have not made a selection but the machine would probably be
a 1,200 - 1,500 CFM machine similar to the Grizzly G1029 or a similar
Jet machine. The Griz hast the collector inlet very close to the
base. The system would serve some or many of:

Cabinet Saw
Band Saw
Stationary Belt/Disk Sander
Oscillating Spindle Sander
Drill Press
Floor sweep chute that would be installed beneath or near the lathe
Jointer.
Scroll Saw

Thanks in advance.
RonB



A cyclone is usually mounted up high, and the solids dropped into a
tube, connected to a large can. (Well, OK. There is one fellow, who
does really nice work, where the cyclone is outside, and the solids drop
directly onto the ground.) My neighbor has his Oneida at about 10', and
vents the exhaust out through a ceiling plate level vent, with no ill
effect, but there is still the barrel to deal with.

Without using a chip collector, I wouldn't want to have to muscle a full
bag down from a shelf with any degree of regularity. And using a
collector, I empty the bottom bag of mine about every 90 days, even
though it usually doesn't need it. It sorta hides in a corner behind
the wood rack, in spider territory.

Patriarch

on 8/11/2005 11:15 AM Patriarch said the following:

A cyclone is usually mounted up high, and the solids dropped into a
tube, connected to a large can. (Well, OK. There is one fellow, who
does really nice work, where the cyclone is outside, and the solids drop
directly onto the ground.)

Am I misreading this or did you mean that the collector has a bottom
openening that dumps the waste to the ground? I'm trying to figure out
how you would maintain a vacuum with that large (essentially no
enclosure) on the bottom of the cyclone. Gotta be a sealed hopper
affair that dumps to ground, right?

My neighbor has his Oneida at about 10', and
vents the exhaust out through a ceiling plate level vent, with no ill
effect, but there is still the barrel to deal with.

Without using a chip collector, I wouldn't want to have to muscle a full
bag down from a shelf with any degree of regularity.

For sure. Those waste bags on the 1100-1500 CFM units are what? 30
gallon? Not something most of us want to wrestle with on a ladder -
even a short oneg

"SonomaProducts.com" wrote in message
oups.com...
I think a less than commercial machine might have trouble lifting after
a long run. Not an expert though. The reason I responded was to ask if
you have considered placing it outside. A small shed next to a
location where you have a floor vent or cut a small pass through...

Outside probably isn't an option for me - The homeowner's association would
probably go ballistic.

Hmmmmmm!

Thanks
RonB

"RonB" wrote in news:xBJKe.6196$Pl1.5659@okepread02:



Like many of you I lack space. Most of my shop is in the 3rd bay of a
three-car garage and many tools are on wheels. I would like to
install a fairly robust dust collection system but floor space pretty
much rules out conventional placement.

One thing I do have is ample overhead space - my garage has an 11'
ceiling. I have considered a shelf or rack of some type that would put
the base of a collector about 4-5 feet above the floor and nestled
behind other floor equipment. It might have to be emptied or serviced
from a ladder.

Ron - we're must be in the same neighborhood. I'm also in a tight 3rd bay
but have a very high ceiling. I've been thinking about the same thing.
I also can't plumb outside, since my 3rd bay is at the front of the
house.

I already have a small DC plumbed for some short runs, with a 90* turn. I
think it would do OK elevated -- especially if I find a spot that would
shorten the run. I think a G1029Z or similar would be fine!


I'd *def* do a cyclone lid/chip collector like:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...t=1,42401&ap=1

and leave this at floor level, or obtainable. This would be much less DC
bag emptying meaning you could put that in a less accessible place.

Unquestionably Confused wrote:


Am I misreading this or did you mean that the collector has a bottom
openening that dumps the waste to the ground? I'm trying to figure out
how you would maintain a vacuum with that large (essentially no
enclosure) on the bottom of the cyclone. Gotta be a sealed hopper
affair that dumps to ground, right?


not on the big commercial cyclones. they have neutral air pressure at
the cyclone outlet.

Ron - we're must be in the same neighborhood. I'm also in a tight 3rd bay
but have a very high ceiling. I've been thinking about the same thing.
I also can't plumb outside, since my 3rd bay is at the front of the
house.

I already have a small DC plumbed for some short runs, with a 90* turn. I
think it would do OK elevated -- especially if I find a spot that would
shorten the run. I think a G1029Z or similar would be fine!

I'd *def* do a cyclone lid/chip collector like:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...t=1,42401&ap=1

and leave this at floor level, or obtainable. This would be much less DC
bag emptying meaning you could put that in a less accessible place.


Yeah - The separate cyclone or chip collector can approach crossed my mind.
I have read about some large shop DC systems that have very large systems
mounted high - even on a second story. However the debris drops from the
cyclone, or similar system, to a first floor, or external hopper that
provides easy access. Seem like this can be scaled down.


Ron

"RonB" wrote in message
news:kNRKe.6749$Pl1.2994@okepread02...

Yeah - The separate cyclone or chip collector can approach crossed my
mind.
I have read about some large shop DC systems that have very large systems
mounted high - even on a second story. However the debris drops from the
cyclone, or similar system, to a first floor, or external hopper that
provides easy access. Seem like this can be scaled down.


Ron


Yep, like this: http://www.billpounds.com/woodshop/cyclone.html

--
********
Bill Pounds
http://www.billpounds.com

On 11 Aug 2005 08:56:07 -0700, "SonomaProducts.com" wrote:

I think a less than commercial machine might have trouble lifting after
a long run. Not an expert though. The reason I responded was to ask if
you have considered placing it outside. A small shed next to a
location where you have a floor vent or cut a small pass through...

I'm thinking of doing just that... If you see any "holes" in the plan below,
comments appreciated...

The plan, when I can get the shop/garage clean enough, is to put the DC outside
in a 3 sided box with foam and fan... (it would be about 10' from a neighbors
window)

Best idea we've had so far is to run pipe through a hollow core door that we
never open and have the cyclone (55 gal. drum) inside the shop for easy
emptying, and running pipes just above bench level in 2 directions, since the
door is in a corner....

I'm thinking of that height because it would be just about where the top of the
incoming hose is now on the cyclone... it's only a HF 2 hp DC, but it seems to
work very well for my needs/budget...


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

On Thu, 11 Aug 2005 10:57:43 -0500, Duane Bozarth
wrote:

RonB wrote:

...

I have considered a shelf or rack of some type that would put the base of a
collector about 4-5 feet above the floor and nestled behind other floor
equipment. It might have to be emptied or serviced from a ladder.

Has anyone tried this? Are there any issues with debris lift to this
height? I have not made a selection but the machine would probably be a
1,200 - 1,500 CFM machine similar to the Grizzly G1029 or a similar Jet
machine. The Griz hast the collector inlet very close to the base. The
system would serve some or many of:
...

Don't think there would be too much of a collection issue w/ 4" mains
although I'd recommend blast gate at major vertical lift locations for
ease "just in case".

I'd think the servicing would develop into a real pita after a while,
however. I know the older I get the less easy (and especially more
aggravating) dealing w/ such (formerly simple and routine) chores
becomes...

snip
Duane... you've got me thinking now, as I'm about as lazy as I can get...

I use a fiber/cardboard 50 gal. drum for the cyclone.. if I had to elevate it, I
think I'd make some sort of port on the side of the barrel, near the bottom, to
dump the cyclone contents into a rolling hopper or something...


"There is a fine line between being lazy and efficient"



mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

"Pounds on Wood" wrote in
:


"RonB" wrote in message
news:kNRKe.6749$Pl1.2994@okepread02...

Yeah - The separate cyclone or chip collector can approach crossed my
mind.
I have read about some large shop DC systems that have very large
systems mounted high - even on a second story. However the debris
drops from the cyclone, or similar system, to a first floor, or
external hopper that provides easy access. Seem like this can be
scaled down.


Ron


Yep, like this: http://www.billpounds.com/woodshop/cyclone.html

--
********
Bill Pounds
http://www.billpounds.com


How's that setup working out for you, Bill?

Patriarch

"Patriarch" wrote in message
. 97.136...


How's that setup working out for you, Bill?

Patriarch

The cyclone is better than I could have expected. If it's not getting 100%
(can't be of course) then it's real close. BTW, lifting the air stream to
8' ceiling height has not been any problem. All of my drops are from
overhead.
--
********
Bill Pounds
http://www.billpounds.com

"Pounds on Wood" wrote in
:


"Patriarch" wrote in message
. 97.136...


How's that setup working out for you, Bill?

Patriarch

The cyclone is better than I could have expected. If it's not getting
100% (can't be of course) then it's real close. BTW, lifting the air
stream to 8' ceiling height has not been any problem. All of my drops
are from overhead.
--
********
Bill Pounds
http://www.billpounds.com




Can't tell from the picture, but the outlet side of the cyclone can is
still connected to a 'normal' DC inside your shop, right? So the exhaust
air is filtered and recycled back to the workspace.

My air duct is up high, too, but that's after the trash can cyclone...

Patriarch

Unquestionably Confused wrote:

on 8/11/2005 11:15 AM Patriarch said the following:

A cyclone is usually mounted up high, and the solids dropped into a
tube, connected to a large can. (Well, OK. There is one fellow, who
does really nice work, where the cyclone is outside, and the solids drop
directly onto the ground.)

Am I misreading this or did you mean that the collector has a bottom
openening that dumps the waste to the ground? I'm trying to figure out
how you would maintain a vacuum with that large (essentially no
enclosure) on the bottom of the cyclone. Gotta be a sealed hopper
affair that dumps to ground, right?

My neighbor has his Oneida at about 10', and
vents the exhaust out through a ceiling plate level vent, with no ill
effect, but there is still the barrel to deal with.

Without using a chip collector, I wouldn't want to have to muscle a full
bag down from a shelf with any degree of regularity.

For sure. Those waste bags on the 1100-1500 CFM units are what? 30
gallon? Not something most of us want to wrestle with on a ladder -
even a short oneg

A late response. I get shavings for my horses from a shop that has 2
big collectors. I have not looked up in a while but one had a 4 bladed
shaft with rubber flappers at the bottom of the cyclone. It would
rotate slowly. 2 of the flappers would always be making a seal. The
debri would fall out out of the flappers as they rotated past the
bottom.

Jim B.