11 April, 2009

Ryobi AP1301 jamming up the dust collection system.

Well, you'd think that with all the time and money I have invested in this, this simply wouldn't happen...

For those that didn't read my dust collection page a little explanation is in order...

My dust collection system is actually dual dust collection networks. A 2.5" shop vac based system with HEPA filter and a Thein Trash Can Cyclone. The hard line necks down as far as 1-7/8". Too danged small. And of course the 4" network running off of a Central Machinery 2HP / Wynn filter rig.

Well, the planer, being factory equipped with a 2.5" dust port, got hooked to the shop vac setup. This appears to be the WRONG answer...

I can watch the shavings go up the clear Peachtree hose, up to the Shop Vac blast gate, and stop.

The necking down, even at the blast gate, is simply too much for this stuff...

So now for the big question... To actually make dust collection work on this tool, and not have to wheel the vac and cyclone out to the tool, I am considering adapting the tool itself for the 4" network. Now the question I have is, and I will have to figure this out myself...

Build a new dust hood from sheet metal to work with the 4" and insure I don't strangle the dust collector, or try using a 2.5" to 4" adapter.

I have the bits and pieces to do the adapter part, and the adapter won't cause any issues not already caused by the shop vac hose. But starting off at 4" shouldn't be problematic...

I think, that since the Ridgid R4330 is built by One World Technologies, which is also Ryobi's manufacturer, and since the knives, as well as a good number of other parts are shared between the two planers, I can take some clues from that one, which has a factory built int 4" to 2.5" connection. So even with connecting 4" to the planer, with the Ridgid anyway, you get no bigger hole to suck chips up with...

So I guess it's off to add the adapter, and connect this thing to the dust collector...

21 March, 2009

I know there's a shop under all these projects...

Welcome to my blog. I'm David Hostetler, computer geek, outdoorsman, and hobbyist woodworker. This blog is predominantly about my woodworking, and how it impacts other areas of my life.

I was inspired by Marc Spagnulo's The Wood Whisperer website, to throw together my own little humble website. Marc does a WHOLE lot more with his than I ever want to with mine. His is more of a means to make a living, where mine is an expression of my hobby... I don't have the time, talent, or sponsorship to make a living doing a website, blogs, and podcasts about woodworking. And I don't want to compete with the likes of Marc. I have other irons in the fire that I am working there which are not the subject of this blog.

If you found my blog via blogger, this blog is going to be attached to my personal web page at http://home/earthlink.net/~dbhost. For now that site is a virtual tour of my home workshop and my woodworking hobby. I intend to grow it to something a bit more substantial later on though.

So today's entry is simply the forward to a book in progress. If you haven't seen one of my previous blogs before, they tend to be stream of consciousness affairs. I hope you can follow allong, and enjoy the ride while I am still steering straight. There is lots of work left to do in order to tie the web site and the blog together, but the bog will stay hosted on blogspot, so I can keep my Earthlink account somewhat freed up. Earthlink in still in the Mid 90s with the amount of hosting space they allow their members.

Well, I am off to my shop, at least I think there is a shop down under there. You see I have a kitty condo, a couple of flower boxes, kitchen cabinet doors, and some shop fixture projects going on in there. I sure hope I can find my shop under all of that!

Until next time, keep making sawdust, and stay safe!