I am designing my DC system...well, OK most of the design is done. Alas, I have a wimpy 1 HP Delta DC which I hope works out. It is the typical PVC 4" system.
From the DC, there are essentially 2 branchs; a "main" branch, with the TS, planer, jointer & chop saw and a "side" branch, which is quite long (goes to other side of the shop) for router, bandsaw, DP, and misc. One question I had is: Is it work putting a blast gate at the beginning of the side branch? There are likely to be 2 or 3 gates off the side branch. I am not cementing the system (too likely to change), so I expect some losses. A gate *might* reduce the losses in the side when it is not in use...for that matter, I could gate the main like (after the branch of course) too, to "optimize" the side branch.
Thoughts?
One other question: Since I am not cementing the joints, any thoughts on minimizing the losses in a non-permenant, non-work intensive (I'd prefer to be working wood!) way?
Paul Kierstead