Woodstock W1816 owner manual Ducting Materials, Metal Duct

You have many choices regarding main line and branch line duct material. For best results, use metal duct for the main line and branch lines, then use a short length of flexible hose to connect each machine to the branch lines.

Plastic duct is also a popular material for home shops. However, be aware that there is a fire or explosion hazard if plastic duct material is used for dust collection without being grounded against static electrical charge build-up. This topic will be discussed later in the manual. Another problem with using plastic is that it is less efficient per foot than metal.

Metal Duct

Advantages of metal duct (see Figure 34) is its conductivity and that it does not contribute to static electrical charge build-up. However, static charges are still produced when dust particles strike other dust particles as they move through the duct. Since metal duct is a conductor, it can be grounded quite easily to dissipate any static electrical charges.

There are quite a number of options when it comes to metal duct, but metal duct that is specially manufactured for dust collection is the best choice. When selecting your metal duct, choose high quality metal duct with smooth welded internal seams that will minimize airflow resistance. This type of duct usually connects to other ducts or elbows with a simple, self-sealing clamps, is very quick and easy to assemble, and can be dismantled and re-installed with no problems. This is especially important if you ever need to change things around in your shop or add more tools.

Avoid inferior metal duct that requires you to cut it to length and snap it together. This type of duct is time consuming to install because it requires you to seal all the seams with silicone and screw the components on the ends with sheet metal screws. Another disadvantage is the rough internal seams and crimped ends that unavoidably increase static pressure.

Figure 34. Examples of metal duct.

OPERATIONS