Chestnut Posted November 25, 2018 Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 I've been kicking around installing a floor sweet for the DC and am wondering what people's opinions are on the manner. Is it a good idea bad idea? I don't know what it would hurt but thought i'd throw out to the collective wisdom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted November 25, 2018 Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 I had one for a while. I used it. Needed the port for the 16-32, so the floor sweep went away. I really don't miss it. I always made a point to sift through the dust for metal that could clang around or potentially hit the impeller and cause a spark if you have a single stage collector. Magnets around the opening help, but it just wasn't worth it IMO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted November 25, 2018 Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 I use mine all the time homemade nothing fancy but it works well. Hard to tell from the pic but there is a ramp in the box The pipe length is only about 12' from the collector so plenty of suction. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dknapp34 Posted November 25, 2018 Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 I have one and I love it. Use it all the time. I say go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted November 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 So a 6" pipe to the sweep? Over kill? 1 hour ago, Mick S said: I had one for a while. I used it. Needed the port for the 16-32, so the floor sweep went away. I really don't miss it. I always made a point to sift through the dust for metal that could clang around or potentially hit the impeller and cause a spark if you have a single stage collector. Magnets around the opening help, but it just wasn't worth it IMO. If you had a 2 stage and didn't have to worry about metal would that change your opinion on them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted November 25, 2018 Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 13 hours ago, Chestnut said: So a 6" pipe to the sweep? Over kill? If you had a 2 stage and didn't have to worry about metal would that change your opinion on them? I have a two stage. Just hate that clanging around when the odd screw gets trapped in a vortex. It's not so much I don't like them, just that I didn't find it to be that convenient vs a broom and dustpan. It didn't save me any time having to sweep everything in the shop to one spot as opposed to smaller piles I could empty into the nearest trash bucket. When I had the tech center with a big CNC I found it very convenient to have one right next to it. It was also hooked up a 10 Hp DC, which helped. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bankstick Posted November 25, 2018 Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 I use a Shop Vac with a 25 foot hose to reach all over the shop. Put two tubes and a floor attachment minus the brush and it does a good job. I first vacuum the shop tools as BS, TS, DP, lathe first. I'm retired so time isn't really important....unless I'm getting ready to go fishing. Then, I go fishing and clean the shop when I can't go fishing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted November 25, 2018 Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 I would use a flexible 4" hose and this: https://www.rockler.com/rockler-dust-right-4-quick-change-floor-sweep I'd rather chase the dirt rather than sweep it all into one spot. Assuming you didn't want to use a shop vac... Or just go fishing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post pkinneb Posted November 26, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 I use both but my sweep is right next to the bench so it gets used all the time. I also have two small hoses one on each side of the shop which are connected to my dust collector. I know this is not supposed to be done but I have used them for many years with no issues. One is off my manifold the other can be seen on the left of this pic and is on the other side of my shop. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted December 22, 2018 Report Share Posted December 22, 2018 I have 2. One for each side of shop. I notice that I never use them because I stack things in front of them. I would like to change that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 22, 2018 Report Share Posted December 22, 2018 Extend a floor sweep to come through the toe kick of a base cabinet . That should reduce the " stacking things in front of " issue. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Coop Posted December 23, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 If you have a shop that looks like Paul’s, it’s a great idea. If one that looks like mine, buy a leaf blower. 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewPritchard Posted December 23, 2018 Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 I made one for my community woodshop. The floors now get cleaned properly because anyone can just sweep stuff straight into the collector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted December 23, 2018 Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 The model shop that i worked in while in college had one of these and I loved it. Obviously it helps if you have enough space to have smooth concrete floors with enough space to collect dust and get a broom in to get it out again. I found the process of sweeping up the dust and seeing it zoomed away very satisfying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted December 23, 2018 Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 12 hours ago, K Cooper said: If you have a shop that looks like Paul’s, it’s a great idea. If one that looks like mine, buy a leaf blower. Your need a floor like one in a bird cage . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombarde16 Posted December 29, 2018 Report Share Posted December 29, 2018 I just added one. Simple plastic thing from WoodCraft. I use it almost everytime I'm in the shop. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted December 29, 2018 Report Share Posted December 29, 2018 There okay. Can take dust ,mice and other small animals when on.? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chestnut Posted January 7, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted January 7, 2019 Well i ended up ordering another blast gate and a couple plug cutters from Lee Vally's free shipping event they did recently. I got the stuff in the mail this week and today i made a rough box. I know i could have used a purchased one but the stores were closed and i have a ton of redwood scraps laying around. I had to move the band saw slightly and i changed the way the piping is connected on the back. The length of flex to the band saw was reduced by half so that should increase flow but the bends are a bit more severe to the top so it's probably a wash. The sweep works great. I don't want it to be able to suck up large items so the opening is only 1.5" tall but that also increases air velocity at the opening. You only need to get dust within a couple inches it just zooms in. This is going to be a great addition. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Morse Posted January 8, 2019 Report Share Posted January 8, 2019 Are the sides open on yours, Drew? I need something similar, and I like how simple your approach was on this. I think I was going to over-complicate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted January 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2019 33 minutes ago, Robert Morse said: Are the sides open on yours, Drew? I need something similar, and I like how simple your approach was on this. I think I was going to over-complicate it. So i didn't take pictures of the inside and the above picture doesn't really show everything so i drew up plans just for you. all of 5 min in cad. No only the front is open. I did not seal it to the floor either in hopes that the gaps would grab dust from around the outside. I should make a video of it working because it is fun to use. I installed two pieces of 1/4" ply inside to block the corners. I figured dust was probably goign to build up there so instead of letting that happen i just put baffles in. I kind of guessed on the front dimensions cause i don't remember. I do remember that i shot for having a 1.25-1.5" opening. at 13" wide a 1" opening is the same area as a 4" dc hose. I figured if i went slightly over that there would be enough velocity at the inlet to suck up anything i put in front of it. I also included my mistakes. I measured 13.5" to account for material width and then messes up centering the 4" hose connection. The image if printed at 100% on 8.5x11 1" = 3" It took me a total of 30 min to complete not including drying time on the silicone and wood glue. I made this out of old growth VG redwood. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Morse Posted January 9, 2019 Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 Wow, thanks Drew. I know what tonight's project is going to be. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chestnut Posted January 16, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted January 16, 2019 Oddly satisfying. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bloodworthscott1 Posted February 27, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 27, 2019 I recently made this floor sweep hose attachment that works amazingly, and keeps me from having to kick up more dust with a broom. I will be adding a magnet to the front to pick up any metal and keep it out of the system. I've never used a floor sweep, but this works for me. Hope this helps. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveKoz Posted March 9, 2019 Report Share Posted March 9, 2019 On 1/15/2019 at 9:22 PM, Chestnut said: Oddly satisfying. Oddly satisfying to watch too.. Gotta have one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted March 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2019 27 minutes ago, SteveKoz said: Oddly satisfying to watch too.. Gotta have one... Yeah it's nice my floor stays alot cleaner now. I just push a pile over to it and then the next time i start ghee collector i open the blast gate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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