Random Thoughts
Random Thoughts
Stidrvr,
Once upon a time Sears sold a kit that contained a bunch of clear plastic pipe, elbows, and Tees to do essentially what you envision, hook up some tools more or less permanently to a shop vac. Apparently not an ideal solution as I haven't seen the product in a while, but it probably served the purpose for some folks.
While composing this, I did a little more research and found something very similar at Woodcraft,
here. The line losses on those Tees and small diameter els must be huge! But as a shop vac emphasizes suction over airflow, not sure that's relevant.
I realize from our earlier discussion the time isn't right for you to acquire the full on, big cyclone, which would capture the finer dusts that concerns Pentz. So though Rob's point is accurate, I also understand where you're coming from right now. You just want to control the big messes, and will fix the fine dust problem as time, space, and funds permit.
Like Matt, I'm a bit concerned about the length of the runs. My gut tells me that larger pipes, to reduce suction losses, will only result in the larger chips falling out of the airflow and thus getting stuck in the pipes.
The literature indicates line losses for smooth wall pipe are half or less than hose, so that would argue for you to use pipe instead of hooking up a bunch of hoses. As you've probably found, lots of folks are selling whole house vacs, and that industry has settled on 2" pipe, which is just a tic smaller than "standard" shop vac accessories, which, though touted as 2.5", really are closer to 2.125. I haven't found adaptors, but I haven't looked real hard either. And 2.5" plumbing pipe is slightly large. If memory serves, ID is 2.375.
If you do decide to proceed down this road, I think you'll need some sort of blast gate (some are included in the Woodcraft kit, or make your own).
Also as I recall, many shop vacs draw their motor cooling air from the filtered airstream. That plus running the machine more or less constantly as you use the saw and router will mean it'll wear out faster.
Aside from those things, I also agree with Matt's point that the one sure way to find out is to give it a try. And then educate us with your results.
Regards,
DWD