Workshop Extraction - Hose vs Pipe setup, does it matter?

[Tetsuaiga]

I'm looking to get some permanently fixed extraction so i don't need to switch connectors so often.

I was wondering, you can get hoses much cheaper than pipes, obviously I think i'd need the thing like T joints to divide the extraction and probably blast gates, but is there any disadvantage to using hoses instead of pipes?



Thank you

 

[MMUK]

I assume you are comparing something like 4" flexible hose with 4" rigid pipe? In this case, it doesn't matter which you use. The only recommendation I would make if you go down the flexi route is to make sure it is properly supported and that any bends are a constant, gentle curve to avoid disruption of air flow.

 

[Tetsuaiga]

Thanks. Yes that's right both would be 4 inch.

 

[Spindle]

Hi

There will be a reduction in efficiency using hose due to the turbulence set up by the corrugations - probably not noticeable over a short run but will be significant over longer runs.

Regards Mick

 

[cedarwood]

FWIW it's a waste of time using flexy pipe horizontally as the dust settles in the corrugations and causes too much drag and it then starts to block. For a fixed system if your dust extractor has a 150mm inlet use 150mm soil pipe from builders merchant, if its 100mm use that with associated Ts , bends and reducers or buy the 100mm axminster kit. with flex piping to each machine vertically.

 

[MMUK]

You don't have to fit flexi pipe horizontally

 

[Spindle]

Turbulence has no respect for orientation :wink:

 

[deema]

I agree with the above, it's best not to use flexi if you can avoid it. I would suggest you look at proper steel tubing probably spiral wound which is the cheapest. When setting up my dust extraction I thought that soil pipe would be the best and cheapest option.....it wasn't, spiral steel pipe was by far the cheapest when buying new.

When extending the system again and keeping an eye open for companies that may be disposing of ducting I have found that I can get all the ducting and fixings I want for free by simply asking around. The Big caution is to check what they were using the ducting for. Sometimes it had real horrors in it...! I usual look for wood working stuff or metal working places. If it's metal working the tubing is considered 'contaminated' and the companies need to pay for it to be taken away. I did some research into this and it appears that as long as it's either iron or steel and you don't consume large quantities, rub it into open wounds etc there is evidently no cause for concern (but check it out yourself). Wood dust will scour the inside of any tube clean, and the contamination is diluted by the saw dust and not considered a hazard. I was amazed to find that the 'slag' from metal working is simply mixed with other stuff to make it none toxic...evidently it's about concentration levels!

 

[shed9]

Agree with deema in that metal spiral is actually not that expansive, the caveat being some of the adaptors such as y-bends can be silly prices.

However I strongly disagree with the no cause for concern in the re-use of contaminated pipe (of previous none-wood use) especially since one of the main points of using ducting is down to health concerns. Just my opinion is all.

 

[Tetsuaiga]

Thanks for the posts. I think I might think about using pipe for horizontal and ducting for vertical as I'd like to keep prices down. The area I use it pretty small so I wont need a great deal.