Use and Care Manual

SHOP DUST COLLECTION SYSTEM SET-UP
NOTE: The following information is provided as a basic
guideline to help plan and setup your dust collection
system. To complete and fine tune the design of your
system several books and web based information is
available. Simply search for Dust collection system
design or Dust Collection Basics.
WARNING
ALWAYS guard against static electric build-up by
grounding all dust collection lines.
WARNING
RISK OF EXPLOSION. ALWAYS make sure there are no
open flames or pilot lights in the same room as the dust
collector.
Choose the duct material
For best results, use metal duct for the main line and
branch lines, then use short lengths of flexible hose to
connect each machine to the branch lines.
To prevent fire or explosion hazard when using plastic
duct material the system will need to be grounded against
static electrical charge build-up. See the Grounding the
Shop Dust Collection System section.
Metal Duct
• Metal duct is conductive, efficient and does not
contribute to static electrical charge build-up.
However, static charges are still produced when dust
particles strike other dust particles as they move
through the duct. Since metal duct is a conductor, it
can be grounded quite easily to dissipate any static
electrical charges.
• Choose metal duct that is manufactured for dust
collection systems. The metal duct should be made
of high quality metal duct with smooth welded internal
seams to minimize airflow resistance. This type of
duct usually connects to other ducts or elbows with
self-sealing clamps that make it easy to assemble
and disassemble.
• Avoid using metal duct material not manufactured for
dust collection systems.
Plastic Duct
• Plastic duct is economical and readily available.
It is simple to assemble and easily sealed against
air loss. The primary disadvantage of plastic duct
for dust collection is the inherent danger of static
electrical build-up.
Flexible Duct
• Flexible hose is used for short runs, small shops and
duct-to-tool connections. Flexible hoses are available,
in different materials such as polyethylene, PVC, cloth
hose dipped in rubber and even metal, including steel
and aluminum.
• Choose flexible hose designed for the movement of
solid particles, i.e. dust, grains, and plastics.
• The recommended flex hose material is metal.
• Non-perforated drainage type hoses and dryer vent
hoses are not recommended to be used with a dust
collection system.
GROUNDING THE SHOP DUST COLLECTION
SYSTEM
WARNING
ALWAYS guard against static electric build-up by
grounding all dust collection lines.
Plastic hose is abundant, relatively inexpensive, easily
assembled and air tight, making it a popular material to
be used in dust collection systems. Flexible hose (flex-
hose) is recommended when connecting the woodworking
machine to the dust collector. Plastic flex-hose and
plastic duct are insulators and MUST be grounded. If not
grounded the electrical discharge created, from the dust
particles moving against the walls of the plastic duct, may
cause an explosion and subsequent fire inside the system.
To Ground
To protect against static electrical build up inside a non-
conducting duct, a bare copper wire should be placed
inside the duct along its length and grounded to the dust
collector. You must also confirm that the dust collector is
continuously grounded through the electrical circuit to the
electric service panel.
• Insert a continuous bare copper ground wire inside the
entire duct system and attach the bare ground wire to
each stationary woodworking machine and attach it to
the dust collector frame with a ground screw (Figure 17).
Figure 17
• Extend the bare copper wire down all branches of the
system. Make sure all wires are connected to each
other with wire nuts when two branches meet at a “Y” or
“T” connection (Figure 18).
Internal Copper Wire
Wire Nut
Figure 18
External Copper Wire
OPERATION
8