Loc-Line for a belt/disc sander hood?

[Doug Shepard]

I was browsing PSI's catalog last night looking for a hood that I could use on both parts of the belt/disc combo. I'd seen and forgotten Loc-Line but saw the 2-1/2" setup in PSI's catalog that I think would work. I searched past Loc-Line threads and I think all the ones I saw were using it on a DP (one mention of TS use). So now I've got more questions.

Has anyone used one on a belt or disc sander with a hood, and if so does it work OK?

I also read in some of those past posts, that going down to 2-1/2" on a cyclone wasn't advisable, but then saw others saying that if this is combined with a 4" port I'd be OK?
I was planning on hooking 4" to the combo sander port then taking a Wye off and stepping it down to the Loc-Line to point a hood at whichever half of the machine I'm using. Sound OK?

Does anyone know if PVC S&D Wye fittings are made where one side is 2-1/2" or even 3"? I saw ones at Lowes yesterday like this for the other type of PVC fittings but haven't seen anything there or online that would fit S&D fittings. I'm sure I could piece-meal something together, but would rather use a single fitting if they make one. I've got room on the machine to use mostly PVC and leave it attached then just use a short flex hose to connect that up to the downtube.

[David Duke]

Doug, I put the 2 1/2" Lock-Line set up on my DP, this is connected to a 2hp Oneida cyclone at a 4" drop..........I'm not a bit satisfied with the performance of this set up in fact I actually have stopped using it to try and pull shavings at the bit and have adjusted the pick-up so that I can "rake" the shavings directly into the hood.

Don't get me wrong the overall performance of the Oneida DC has been outstanding but the reduction to the 2 1/2" just hasn't worked for me.

Just a quick second thought.......while I am trying to pick-up large forestner bit shavings your just going to be pulling dust, this may work fine in this capacity

[Doug Shepard]

Dave
Yours is only running into the 2-1/2"? That would seem to match the other negative comments I saw. But I'd be running both the 4" and 2-1/2" at the same time. Some of the other posts I saw seemed to say that was OK?

But the other item I haven't looked at yet is doing a hood for the DP. So your input is much appreciated.

[David Duke]

I had actually forgot to say that I have a wye on the 4" with a 4" going straight to my DP table (it is set up so that it acts kind of like a downdraft table) the other branch is the 2 1/2" line.

Attached is a like to the DP; the 4" is coming into the bottom of the table
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=27095&d=1133909650

[Doug Shepard]

David
Thanks. Think I'll follow your advice and Just Say No to El Loco-Line. Too bad they dont make a 4" version of that.

[Filippo Morelli]

Doug, I put the 2 1/2" Lock-Line set up on my DP, this is connected to a 2hp Oneida cyclone at a 4" drop..........I'm not a bit satisfied with the performance of this set up in fact I actually have stopped using it ...

David,
Did you use a 4" to 2 1/2" step down plate (e.g. 4" connector tube with a flat plate that has a 2 1/2" tube opening on the face) or did you go with a conical transition tube from 4 to 2 1/2? The former are known to cause terrible eddies at the face of the step down, which will kill velocity. Just curious. I'm about to do the same setup for my drill press (4 to 2 1/2).

Filippo

[Jim Becker]

Maybe using two of them joined to a 4" drop would work better...raises the cost, but provides more air to feed the DC and better performance all around.

[David Duke]

David,
Did you use a 4" to 2 1/2" step down plate (e.g. 4" connector tube with a flat plate that has a 2 1/2" tube opening on the face) or did you go with a conical transition tube from 4 to 2 1/2? The former are known to cause terrible eddies at the face of the step down, which will kill velocity. Just curious. I'm about to do the same setup for my drill press (4 to 2 1/2).

Filippo

Filippo, it is the reducer with the flat face, that may be the problem but it definitely doesn't work well at all as is.