Hello, I took a look around but couldn't see this issue addressed anywhere so perhaps my friends here have an answer?
in searching for an answer as to the benefits of a straight pipe vs a curved pipe into a cyclone (or any) dust collector. I've looked at hundreds of pictures of various shop setups. In many of the "this is my DC layout" articles, the writers mention how long sweep fittings, minimizing corrugated flex hose, subtle reducers etc are all good things. Then they show their actual DC unit with a set of 90's on the intake? My understanding is this is incorrect unless absolutely req'd to fit under physical requirements.
I look at my 8" inlet on my 3HP Cyclone and although it would be nice to get the spiral pipe up near the ceiling asap to save headroom, by doing so if I follow the "rules " I'm adversely affecting my flow. It would seem that I should put a chunk of 8" on the inlet then at ?? feet utilize a few 45's to get the pipe up to the ceiling. ... or should I reduce it down to 7" right at the inlet (my main trunk will be 7" and drops 6").
The idea of running say 5' (or something) of 8" pipe directly out of the DC then using 8" 45's to get to ceiling height (with some 8" pipe between them) and at that point, reducing down to 7" for the remained of the trunk is what I was thinking. But I see so many shop pics showing an immediate 90 degree pipe virtually right off the DC inlet. Am I presuming incorrectly that this is of significant negative flow reduction? Let's face it, I only (like all of you) want to do this once. It would certainly be less of a headache to immediately get the pipe up to the ceiling but again .... if it is going to cause a significant reduction in air flow speed? by doing so, I'll gladly suffer a few head bumps and run some straight line 8" directly out from the DC. (my max would be about 5')
So my questions are;
1) Is it of a significant advantage to have the inlet remain straight from the DC's inlet?
2) Am I gaining much (if anything) by using 8" for 10' then reducing to my main trunk size of 7" once I hit my ceiling height?
3) Or should I just reduce to 7" at trhe inlet and keep the main trunk line continuing at 7" or do I actually gain much from having some 8" initially coming out of the DC, going through a few 45's and then reduce once I hit my straight run 7" main trunk?
Logic says one thing but as I mention, so many excellent woodworking shops I look at seem to have complicated gyrations of pipe coming immediately from the inlet pipe of the DC.
Any pearls would be appreciated as always, Thanks !