I would like to help this problem. Many people have identified dust collection as something that needs to be solved; specifically for the workshop.
While I’d love to say we should have a large comprehensive plan for dust collection and routing 4" tubes, I think we need to start with getting a collector and then iteratively add the lines.
I would like to start this off by offering $20 toward the cause. Ideally I would like it to live behind the back shop wall (which will take some cleaning) and have a port go through the wall near the ceiling. I’d like it to go behind that wall for noise dampening.
Here’s probably the smallest sort of idea I was thinking of, but bigger the better IMO unless someone is more familiar with these:
I’m in for $20 too! If we’re looking at this particular $75 listing I think that puts us over the subsidized equipment purchase threshold, VHS should be willing to kick in the remaining $15.
My only problem for that particular listing is that I am unable to go and get it (too far, small car). If someone wants to seek that one out and has the means, feel free. If there are more people interested, maybe seek out a beefier one?
The most economical solution would be to get a small portable dust collector, such as the one in the Craigslist ad, and just connect it to individual machines with a short 4 inch hose as required. A 500 CFM dust collector would be sufficient. If you want to run ducting to each machine then you have to consider the significant air flow losses created by the ductwork and hoses and increase the size/CFM rating/cost of the dust collector accordingly.
A thickness planer requires 400 CFM at the dust port. A jointer requires about the same. Most other machine tools require less. Every hose, bend and foot of ducting reduces the air flow by a relatively predictable amount and will have to be calculated to properly size the collection system.
While dust collectors can be a bit loud, they are not nearly as loud as a planer or router. If you move the dust collector into a different room then you wil need to increase its size to compensate for the ducting.
However, if a ducted system is really the desired state then I am happy to invite the “dust collector committee” to see the ducting system in my shop to help them with their planning. My system uses 4" PVC sewer pipe and fittings, numerous blast gates and a few hoses. My dust collector is rated somewhere around 1000 to 1200 CFM and requires a 220V 15A circuit.
Don’t worry about the cash folks, consider it donatio.
If you’re feeling especially grateful, think of me next time you’re in a beer store: I like most craft beer that’s under 6.5% ABV. But don’t go out of your way, I’m trying to cut back.
I use a combination of 4" sewer pipe fittings and 4" dust collector fittings. You can get dust collector fittings of various types at KMS Tools, Summit Tools or Busy Bee Tools. Check the KMS or Busy Bee websites to see all the various fittings that are available.
But don’t go out of your way, I’m trying to cut back.