Blast Gates

[John Akerblom]

I've noticed that the 6" blast gates I purchased from Oneida leave a significant flap of metal restricting the airflow even when fully opened (not quite as much as in the included picture, but still significant).333208

Has anyone ever modified the blast gate to reduce the restriction on airflow caused by the protruding flap? Is there any brand of blast gate that does a better job of leaving a completely open gap?

My DC is overpowered for my needs, to this won't really be a problem right now, but I like to maximize airflow, especially when it would be a lot more difficult once all my ducting was permanently installed.

Thanks,
John Akerblom

[Marty Tippin]

For 6" blast gates, you can't go wrong making your own. Zero air restriction. http://www.popularwoodworking.com/projects/make-your-own-blast-gates

[Anthony Whitesell]

Alan's gates are great if using PVC. Anyone made or have a design for gates to fit sheet metal ductwork?

[Marty Tippin]

Alan's gates are great if using PVC. Anyone made or have a design for gates to fit sheet metal ductwork?

I'd think you can use the same design, replacing the PVC fittings with duct flanges similar to this http://www.amazon.com/Ideal-Air-736458-Duct-Collar-Tight/dp/B0058IUUDG (should be available locally at either the BORG or an HVAC sheet metal supplier)

[Kevin Jenness]

I like the self-cleaning gates I got from http://www.blastgateco.com/. They don't obstruct the flow when new and stay that way. I've dealt with many standard metal gates that got crudded up in the corners and wouldn't close completely. They are typically a pain to disassemble and clean out.

[Chris Padilla]

I used these (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=51506&cat=1,42401,62597) from Lee Valley. The self-cleaning part can be a bit of a pain to deal with if you have a couple gates close to each other due to clearances but these are solid gates.

[John Akerblom]

I like the idea of the self cleaning gates (better airflow and less clogging), but I don't have the clearance everywhere I'd like to put them. I think I may just hammer down the dimple that stops the slide from coming completely out and use a little caution when opening them. That way I could back the slide out completely and not obstruct the airflow. and use the little knob to make sure they don't chatter around.

Anyone every try this? Or know of reasons why this idea won't work?

Also, I already have 5 blast gates, and Oneida's return policy is a pain (restocking fees/shipping costs), so I think I'm just going to work with what I have.

Thanks for the input, I'll prob buy these self cleaning gates (or build my own) whenever I expand and have the clearance.

[Anthony Whitesell]

Whoa! That would be $25 + other materials to make one gate!

I looked at Lee Valley and Blastgate Co. but they look like they fit flex hose. Will they fit metal ductwork.

[Steve Peterson]

You have to consider the air resistance of the entire system. A single pinch point of 10% probably has the same effect as 2-3 feet of pipe or a 45 elbow somewhere else in the line. It adds up, but is probably not hurting the overall airflow too much.

Steve

[Ben Rivel]

Urgh... I just placed an order for all my metal duct work for my five drop system from Oneida and that includes five of their overpriced blast gates! Finding out now that they dont open all the way makes me think I should have opted for something else. Might not be too late to cancel those items from the order...

Are the Oneida ones worse than the McMaster ones? LINK (http://www.mcmaster.com/#1788k14/=11gg5xy)

http://images1.mcmaster.com/mvA/contents/gfx/large/1788k14p1-h01a-digitall.png?ver=1433943793

I kind of assumed Oneida was using the same ones sold by McMaster.


And tell me they open larger than the way they (Oneida) shows them in their product photo: LINK (http://www.oneida-air.com/inventoryD.asp?selectedItemNumber=DGA040000&rowId=&item_no=SCOLLECT5)

[John Ziebron]

In setting up a new DC system in my new shop I bought 4 and 6 inch self cleaning gates from blastgateco.com. Since they are only about an hour drive from me in Michigan I picked them up along with some flex tubing to save on shipping costs. In talking to the owner a few days before I placed my order he told me that they supply the blast gates that Lee Valley sells. blastgateco sells them for a little less than Lee Valley but I don't know what the shipping costs for either are. So anyone interested in buying the Lee Valley ones should probably check out getting them from the actual manufacturer.

[Brad Shipton]

Do the self cleaning blast gates from Blastco clog much? I know it is always possible, but I assume with normal use one does not have to clean them very often like the plastic ones I have now. I am re-organizing my DC system and it is time to throw away those plastic piles that clog up too often. Blastco seems far more cost effective for a small shop than Nordfab. I hope they ship to Canada.

[Chris Padilla]

The ones I have from Lee Valley do not clog and I've had them in use for almost 10 years but then again, I'm only a hobbyist and empty my dust bin only 1-2 times a year. So take that FWIW.

[William C Rogers]

The ones I have from Lee Valley do not clog and I've had them in use for almost 10 years but then again, I'm only a hobbyist and empty my dust bin only 1-2 times a year. So take that FWIW.

Ialso use the ones from Lee Valley and they are super. I have mine attached to metal duct. I have been using them for about a year and are super. The little locking screw works as some of mine are attached to wyes.

[Alan Schaffter]

Alan's gates are great if using PVC. Anyone made or have a design for gates to fit sheet metal ductwork?

My gates do work great, slide with ease (many years later although along the way I added pneumatic cylinders and all the necessary stuff to make them electro-pneumatic autogates). You can add any type of inlet and outlet, even mix and match- thin wall PVC (ASTM 2729), SDR 35 PVC, Sched 40 PVC, snaplock and spiral metal, flex hose fittings, etc.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/500/medium/P3080015.JPG

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/500/medium/P4280022.JPG