Mike Scoggins
01-22-2004, 11:29 PM
I just recently completed the installation of a centralized dust collection system in my shop. I faced a couple of challenges in putting it in because:
(1) my shop is in two-thirds of a three-car garage (i.e. limited space) and
(2) the 7' x 16' garage door in the open position prevented me one from having permanent drops from ducting over this entire area (I call this “restricted air space”).
So, how does one install an effective, centralized dust collection system in the mobile-tool environment with overhead door obstructions/limitations? :confused:
My solution is a swiveling (pivoting)/rotating dust collection boom.
The boom is simply a 6’ long piece of 6” PVC pipe that is mounted to the ceiling in a manner that allows it to rotate 360 degrees in the horizontal plane The boom end can also be raised or lowered to the desired height (it hinges at it's mounting point where two carriage bolts connect it to U-shaped piece of flat iron).
I've included several pictures of the boom below.
Overall, I am very pleased with the boom design and performance. :) A large area can be covered with a single boom. With the 6’ boom, the reach easily covers a circular area with a diameter of 15-20’. Keep in mind that there is no substitute for a well planned, laid out shop with permanent connections, and blast gates to each tool in terms of convenience. This is the preferred method where space allows and there are otherwise no obstructions. However, when there are limitations due to shop size (thus requiring tool mobility) and/or obstructions such as on overhead garage door (“restricted air space”), the boom is a viable option.
(1) my shop is in two-thirds of a three-car garage (i.e. limited space) and
(2) the 7' x 16' garage door in the open position prevented me one from having permanent drops from ducting over this entire area (I call this “restricted air space”).
So, how does one install an effective, centralized dust collection system in the mobile-tool environment with overhead door obstructions/limitations? :confused:
My solution is a swiveling (pivoting)/rotating dust collection boom.
The boom is simply a 6’ long piece of 6” PVC pipe that is mounted to the ceiling in a manner that allows it to rotate 360 degrees in the horizontal plane The boom end can also be raised or lowered to the desired height (it hinges at it's mounting point where two carriage bolts connect it to U-shaped piece of flat iron).
I've included several pictures of the boom below.
Overall, I am very pleased with the boom design and performance. :) A large area can be covered with a single boom. With the 6’ boom, the reach easily covers a circular area with a diameter of 15-20’. Keep in mind that there is no substitute for a well planned, laid out shop with permanent connections, and blast gates to each tool in terms of convenience. This is the preferred method where space allows and there are otherwise no obstructions. However, when there are limitations due to shop size (thus requiring tool mobility) and/or obstructions such as on overhead garage door (“restricted air space”), the boom is a viable option.