From the Outer Rim - A New Adventure Part Deux

[Steve Manning]

Now I can get on with the remaining, lengthy, list of items that need doing. Heading out to the local ACE Hardware to pick up plumbing fixtures for the dust collection system. Having to go PVC this time around. The Norfab metal stuff is way too expensive at the moment.

Then it's on to making some benches for a number of things.

I'll see about getting some pictures posted later today.

[JonMarsh]

Exciting times... I know how you feel, in a similar fashion out here in Idaho. New test cart being assembled, POC crossover boards going together, the living room playback system being setup!

[Steve Manning]

A little late, but a few pictures .....

This will be used for a new out feed table for the tablesaw, window and door trim and misc other items.



6" pipe for dust collection.





So much larger than the 4" stuff!

[technodanvan]

Are you going to have enough suction for the 6" pipe? Your velocity is going to decrease notably over the 4".

[Steve Manning]

Are you going to have enough suction for the 6" pipe? Your velocity is going to decrease notably over the 4".

The dust collector I have is designed for a 6" input. The main trunk lines I'm running will be 6", but everything will neck down to 4" at all of tool locations. I'm also thinking of adding an additional filter canister to the collector. That should allow more air flow through the system. I'm also planning on upgrading to MERV 15 filters over what I have now which is I believe is MERV 12.

Of course worst case is having to upgrade to a larger dust extractor, but I spoke to the electricians about that and I'm good to go as far as wiring goes.

[Mr.Ed]

Are you going to run ground wires along the pipes? When I was setting my system up years ago, I read you need to do that with pvc pipes because of static buildup. I ended up with metal pipes but that fact stuck in my mind.
-Ed

[JonMarsh]

I've heard that, too. An interesting and useful point to bring up.

[Steve Manning]

Are you going to run ground wires along the pipes? When I was setting my system up years ago, I read you need to do that with pvc pipes because of static buildup. I ended up with metal pipes but that fact stuck in my mind.
-Ed

Hey Ed ..... it's under consideration. The biggest thing you hear is to prevent explosions. Everything I've seen says a system like this is way too small for that kind of issue. I'm more interested in not getting zapped from the static build up when I touch it. Though I'm going to be putting down a bunch of rubber flooring which might be a good mitigation for that issue. I imagine the first time I cuss from getting zapped will certainly answer that question! 😁

[Steve Manning]

What's the saying about getting worse before it gets better? Well here ya go ......





Having to get creative with clamps and ladders to hold up 20' of piping to get the right angle and length figured out.




I will have two main lines that I will control with blast gates, of which one is in place here.




I needed a platform to break down sheet goods from full size to something more manageable for the table saw. It's also coming in handy for holding the long PVC pipes for cutting.




The rest of the setup for cutting sheet goods.

[Steve Manning]

Well as Jon is so fond of saying ..... slow work takes time!

I've been slogging away at the dust collection plumbing. It's amazing how much time it takes getting each section in place.




This is the drop for the main tool center, table saw, band saw, planer and jointer.









CNC drop .....



At this point I have two more drops to put in for the router table and the miter saw.

[theSven]

Impressive dust collection system! Sure beats the shopvac I use to clean up the mess 😂. Great to see some progress update photos!

[Steve Manning]

Well, I figured it was way past time for an update. Why so long, well life has become a black hole into which I have been sucked. I have become the master of the 1 step forward, 3 steps backwards shuffle and as my wife can attest, I don't like dancing! Bad knees and crappy weather has added to the fun.

So, the main project was to get a mini-split system installed to provide heating and cooling. I purchased a system at the end of November and as weather and holiday stuff permitted, I got it installed. On January 6th I was "finished" and fired the system up, it didn't work. After basic checks of everything I called customer support and their recommendation was to call a company for help, they only warranty parts and the rest you’re on your own!

After going through 3 different companies before I could even get one to come out, I then had to wait 2 1/2 weeks for them to show up! After 5 weeks, the problem was resolved today.

This is the unit outside of the shop.





Of course work continued inside while that adventure was underway.

This is my main tool center, with the tablesaw, bandsaw, jointer and planer. I built a central dust collection center with magnetic couplings for simplicity and cost savings.




This is where my miter saw station will go .... yet to be built.



Inside mini split unit and some shelving.



Additional shelving ....



I bought a small cabinet for router and drill press stuff.



CNC setup and leveled. It had been so long, it took a few minutes to remember how to run the thing! Will have to go through calibration and all that stuff to make sure it's running as it should.




Back towards the front. Getting that air filter hung from a 10 ft ceiling, by myself, was an adventure all on it's own!



You might also note, I've installed 8mm rubber gym flooring around all the work centers .... my back said it was a requirement!

So that folks, is what I've been up to. Still some "small" projects to do and some general clean up, but it's getting close.

[Browncoat]

Wow, super-cool shop! I guess I'm in good company: I've also hung a filter from a 10' ceiling solo.

[technodanvan]

It's looking really nice Steve, looking forward to some sawdust!

[JonMarsh]

But that’s just it, Danny! The way Steve has things setup, you’ll never see any sawdust! Trust me on this!

[technodanvan]

That is...distressing, yet oddly comforting at the same time.

[Steve Manning]

Thanks gents ...... I don't know about zero dust though! However, what little I've run the dust collection so far, even with longer runs, the larger diameter pipe seems to be helping increase the flow over what I had before in my old shop.