Woodstock SHOP FOX W1816 - Manual (Page 28)

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W1816 Owner's Manual (Mfg. Since 10/09)
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Flexible Duct
Flexible hose is generally used for short runs, small shops
and at rigid duct-to-tool connections. There are many
different types of flex hose on the market today. These
are manufactured from materials such as polyethylene,
PVC, cloth hose dipped in rubber and even metal,
including steel and aluminum.
The superior choice here is metal flex hose (see
Figure 35) that is designed to be flexible, yet be as
smooth as possible to reduce static pressure loss.
There are also many kinds of pure plastic flexible hose,
such as non-perforated drainage type hose and dryer vent
hose. Drainage type hose, while being economical, does
not quite have the flexibility required for dust collection.
The inside of the duct is also deeply corrugated and
can increase the static pressure loss by as much as 50%
over smooth wall duct. Dryer vent hose, while being
completely flexible, is non-resistant to abrasion and has
a tendency to collapse in a negative pressure system. We
DO NOT recommend using dryer vent hose in your dust
collection system.
If using flex-hose, you should choose one of the many
types that are designed specifically for the movement
of solid particles, i.e. dust, grains and plastics. However,
the cost of specifically designed flexible duct can vary
greatly. Polyethylene hose is well suited for the removal
of particulate matter, especially sawdust, since it is
durable and completely flexible. Polyethylene is also very
economical and available in a wide variety of diameters
and lengths for most applications.
Plastic Duct
The popularity of plastic duct (see Figure 36) is due to
the fact that it is an economical and readily available
product. It is also simple to assemble and easily sealed
against air loss. The primary disadvantage of plastic
duct for dust collection is the inherent danger of static
electrical build-up.
Figure 35. Example of a metal flexible
duct.
Figure 36. Shop Fox W1055 Dust Collection
Accessories Kit #2.