Shop layout / Dust collection

[Larry Blighton]

So I have been thinking about dust collection.  I guess you could say that I have never really had any.  I have always pretty much hauled my tools to the driveway, did my thing and then cleaned up afterwards. 

I am really wanting to be able to set some of my tools up and leave them and not make an absolute mess working in the garage with the doors closed.  

 

I am including a diagram of what I think my shop layout will be.  Because I am limited on room and will not be able to use the entire garage I thought that I would just go with a shop vac w/Dust deputy cyclone attachment for my dust collection needs.  However I am not sure that this Shop Vac dust collection system will have enough suction to accommodate the tools that I already have. 

 

I am looking for shop layout and dust collection recommendation based on the layout.  Please bear in mind that I am working on both a space and money budget.  If you think a different shop layout will help with my dust collection set up please let me know. (Band saw, Drum sander, router, dust collection will all be on wheels and can easily be moved around)

 

Here are a couple of the ones that I have looked at to give you an idea, trying to get the best bang for my buck without braking the bank.

HF 70 Gallon 2 HP Heavy Duty High Flow High Capacity Dust Collector (possible changing the upper bag to pleated filter) $209  

Shop Fox W1666  2 HP 1550 CFM $423.98

 

[Gunny]

@Gerald has a blog about DC. Might want to read through that to get some ideas.  Something is always better than nothing so you are on right track. Like anything else overkill and over the top spending can cripple you.

 

As for your shop layout. Since this is first go around keep in mind flexibility in your design. Shop layouts change to suit as you progress into new territory.  Mine is nothing like what it was originally. 

 

But hey I enjoy all of it.

[Gerald]

The layout looks good for your shop but to improve if the DC was in the middle of tools a the wall would shorten runs. The area around the compressor would be good. The shorter you can make your pipe runs the better. Also limit flex pipe to as short a length as possible.

This leads you to the blogs and I will be adding more soon I hope.

 

[Larry Blighton]

1 hour ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

@Gerald has a blog about DC. Might want to read through that to get some ideas.  Something is always better than nothing so you are on right track. Like anything else overkill and over the top spending can cripple you.

 

As for your shop layout. Since this is first go around keep in mind flexibility in your design. Shop layouts change to suit as you progress into new territory.  Mine is nothing like what it was originally. 

 

But hey I enjoy all of it.

The boss (wife) limits the over the top spending so not worried there.

 

I totally understand that the layout will change, I am hoping that in the not to distant future I will be building a shed to put the lawn equipment and generator that will be taken up valuable floor space in the garage.  

[Larry Blighton]

1 hour ago, Gerald said:

The layout looks good for your shop but to improve if the DC was in the middle of tools a the wall would shorten runs. The area around the compressor would be good. The shorter you can make your pipe runs the better. Also limit flex pipe to as short a length as possible.

This leads you to the blogs and I will be adding more soon I hope.

 

I will read through it, thanks for the advice.

[Danl]

Perhaps this video will give you some suggestions.  Danl

 

 

s video will give you some suggestions.  

[Gene Howe]

Larry, where are you located? What sort of area i.e. rural or urban?

[Larry Blighton]

4 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Larry, where are you located? What sort of area i.e. rural or urban?

I am located just south of Jacksonville, Florida in the suburbs.

[Gene Howe]

3 minutes ago, Larry Blighton said:

I am located just south of Jacksonville, Florida in the suburbs.

Thanks, larry. The reason I ask is that I run my 2 hp. HF DC to the outside. No bags to mess with, frees up gobs of space and, seems to have more suck. Plus, its much quieter. It runs through a converted 35 gallon trash can venturi separator before the impeller unit. I'd guess 99% of the dust stays in that can. Very little accumulates out side. But, if thats a concern, it could be vented to another can after it exits the garage. 

[Larry Blighton]

3 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Thanks, larry. The reason I ask is that I run my 2 hp. HF DC to the outside. No bags to mess with, frees up gobs of space and, seems to have more suck. Plus, its much quieter. It runs through a converted 35 gallon trash can venturi separator before the impeller unit. I'd guess 99% of the dust stays in that can. Very little accumulates out side. But, if thats a concern, it could be vented to another can after it exits the garage. 

I would not have a problem setting it up outside but I think the neighbors might have an issue.  

[Gunny]

1 hour ago, Larry Blighton said:

but I think the neighbors might have an issue.  

I would add put the compressor outside as well.  But in an enclosure.  Keeps people out of your business, and the machine all nice and tucked out of the weather.  When I built my extension to the shop I added an additional 4 feet and made a compressor / DC room.  Vented the doors and such and put in a fan on a thermostat as well.  My compressor stays on all the time.  It cycles when it wants but it runs for no more than 5 minutes.  Never had any complaints.  Now the DC, running that into the wee hours of the night, that might cause issues.  I knock off at 2130 anyway so again never a problem.

 

NOT having it in the shop reduces the noise, and keeps dust out of the air filter etc etc.  

 

Couple of pictures

 

 

[hatuffej]

2 hours ago, Larry Blighton said:

I would not have a problem setting it up outside but I think the neighbors might have an issue.  

I think it is very important to respect your neighbors. The fact that nobody complains does not mean they are not bothered, just polite. My shop is in my garage and when I work with the garage door open, it amplifies and directs noise to my neighbors across the street. The TS and DC are really loud, the planer screams! I never work before 8 AM or after 6 PM  in the evening. Some have told me they appreciate my consideration of them.  

[Gunny]

7 minutes ago, hatuffej said:

The fact that nobody complains does not mean they are not bothered, just polite.

Very true.  Here where I live the shop noise drowns out the crazy women yelling in the apartment complex behind me.  Although I will admit I have sat down, had a beer and thanked the Lord I do not marry such a woman.

 

3 hours ago, Larry Blighton said:

I will be building a shed to put the lawn equipment and generator that will be taken up valuable floor space in the garage.  

Trust me on this 8x10 is NOT big enough to get it all out, and keep it out.   

Built mine 8x10 and said hey all I need is a lawnmower, weedeater and a edger.  So went with 24 on center studs no prep for interior plywood, who needs that?  Yeah, 20 years later I am adding studs between those 24 inch centers, then adding plywood all around and hanging OMG how did I get all these lawn tools?  Never mind the industrial shelves I got for free, now full of STUFF for the yard.  

 

Lets go to the pictures, they tell the story better.

 

 

 

Even made storage into the doors to squeeze more space out of this.

 

[1fizgig]

That's a deadly weapon sitting in that last photo of the door storage. I hope you have a permit for that! 

 

Edited October 1, 2019 by 1fizgig

[CharlieL]

To each his own, but a HF or Shop Fox dust collector wouldn't be my choices. And I'm far from being rich, I just try to buy wisely.

Edited October 1, 2019 by CharlieL

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

Larry, just a couple of points because there is already excellent advice above. You may have misunderstood Gene's reco about "run to the outside". I think his DC is inside the shop, but vented to the outside. It's a very good way to solve several problems if you're not concerned about venting the interior air out (if I'm the one who misunderstands, I apologize). The second is you mention drum sander. These things generate mountains of fine dust and  you need a good DC to catch it, and tight filtration to contain it (unless you vent out).

[Cal]

Just a quick question Larry.  Are the water heater and furnace electric, not gas?

[Larry Blighton]

11 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

I would add put the compressor outside as well.  But in an enclosure.  Keeps people out of your business, and the machine all nice and tucked out of the weather.  When I built my extension to the shop I added an additional 4 feet and made a compressor / DC room.  Vented the doors and such and put in a fan on a thermostat as well.  My compressor stays on all the time.  It cycles when it wants but it runs for no more than 5 minutes.  Never had any complaints.  Now the DC, running that into the wee hours of the night, that might cause issues.  I knock off at 2130 anyway so again never a problem.

 

NOT having it in the shop reduces the noise, and keeps dust out of the air filter etc etc.  

 

Couple of pictures

 

 

I think that is a wonderful idea and would solve alot of my space issues right now, however the cost of something like this is just not in the budget right now.  

[Larry Blighton]

5 hours ago, CharlieL said:

To each his own, but a HF or Shop Fox dust collector wouldn't be my choices. And I'm far from being rich, I just try to buy wisely.

CharlieL, Those were just a couple I was looking at.  I really know pretty much nothing about the different DC systems as I have never had one.  Right now I have some limiting factors and those are budget (would really like to stay around the $500 mark), space (so mobility a a big factor, but also looking at mounting to the wall), and it needs to be 110v as I do not have 220 ran to the garage.

 

So please let me know what DC's that you think are better that fit into this budget.

Edited October 1, 2019 by Larry Blighton

[Larry Blighton]

1 hour ago, Cal said:

Just a quick question Larry.  Are the water heater and furnace electric, not gas?

Yes, the water heater and furnace are electric.