shop vac run length

[Bob Cooper]

i'm thinking of running some duct for my shop vac. I have normal dust collector but would like to use the shop vac for the miter saw, sanders, etc. I'm wondering how long of a run is 'too long' and what size pipe to run.

My shop if 16' by 40' and the convenient place to mount it is in one corner. So i can easily see a run going 12' along the short wall, turning the corner and then running a good 20-30'. Is this too long? What size duct would you run...2.5", 4"?

Bob C

[Rick Potter]

There are some threads on this. I know you can run 2" plastic electrical conduit or black PVC. I have seen pics of systems with at least 20' runs of it, but haven't built mine yet. Can't imagine why you would run 4" off a shop vac....remember it runs on negative pressure, not volume.

Why not just pick up a few lengths of it, and a couple fittings, lay it on the ground and see how well it sucks?