Shop Equipment List

General Composites Discussions Equipment Talk
#1

Hey guys, I looked around, but didn’t find what I was hunting. What I’m wondering is if anyone has a list they would share of their shop setups and equipment? On some forums I’m on, people give a lowdown of their setup and chat about their pros and cons, and it helps get an idea of what is and isn’t working, along with the preferences and products prefered. Tools, racks, cutting and sanding stuff, tables and work surfaces, toolboxes and nifty speciality handmade tools, etc.

Thanks in advance for replies, or for linking me to a thread I couldn’t find while searching!

#2

I’m looking into setting up both a compressed air system, as well as a vacuum system with multiple access points with ‘outlets’ so to speak around my shop. I see the push lock plastic setups for compressed air, but I can’t seem to find something similar that is vacuum rated. I’d like to have a clean paired lineset. Any advise?

Also, would a 60gal. vacuum accumulator tank in-line before the vacuum pump be a wise idea as well?

#3

On the vacuum setup I can help a bit:

In our old lab we used to have 1 1/2" pvc pipe running whereever appropiate. 1 for compressed air, 2 for vacuum (high and low).

As for the vacuum I would use only 1 vacuum (high) and if you need low, use a lossless vacuum regulator.

You can use the Airtech AQD500 connectors, both sides are self sealing.

For the pressure side, use whatever you can get in your area. Throw away every other compressed air connector, and get a stock of what you have in your shop. Mixing 2 brands is a disaster.

Depending on your needs you can have water separators, oil injectors etc on the outlets of your compressed air lines.

As for the pump: A reservoir is beneficial. It limits the pressure drop when hooking up a large mould. Flow limiters can be used as well, but I do not particularly like them. The pump can have a pressure switch, so it does not keep running all the time. Saves some juice.

Same for compressor. A tank and pressure switch are needed.

#4

You have no concerns with the lack of UV resistance to PVC stuff and the potential to blow out? A friends shop is plumbed for vac and air with PVC, but from my long time in the automotive field, pvc is never recommended or used for air.

#5

All was inside, and the PVC pipe was rated for air pressure. Do not use regular sewer pipe.

Link to a picture: (large picture)

http://www.persluchtadvies.nl/images/BEKO-011.jpg

#6

Well, things coming together, and I’m getting things coming in now. Lots of early Christmas boxes. I’m trying to source stuff from a smaller number of resources to cut down on multiple contacts all over the place.

I’m trying to pin down my shears and scales, sanding and cutting (Perma-Grit everything, right?)stuff and PPE (respirator and safety glasses, or full face with respiration)now.

Also, I’ve set my sights on a 60"x108" self healing cutting table and rotary cutters to cut down on materials, with shears still up in the air. I’ve also been trying to pin down my dust collection options, and I’m not sure if a Plymovent arm and a JET evacuator, or a JET ceiling shop cleaner mount and a shop vac is a better idea. I want to scale up, so I don’t want to buy the cheapest, but I don’t have the ability to spend $100k either.

#7

Trying to process through to the next set of questions, any advice or personal experiences on the above appreciated.

I got all the Perma-Grit stuff ordered up. Any suggestions for a larger size vac gauge that is easier to read from across a small workshop?

#8

Any opinions on running a JET DC-650 with the one micron filter outside of the shop with a wall passthru for the duct that is rolled out and outside to prevent small stuff from clearing the filter medium? I’m only intending it to only cleanup after one person cutting. Are the enclosed can types a better choice?

#9

Now that I’m looking, my previous options would have more upwards usability, but maxing out at 1 micron filtration is likely not enough. Have any of you worked with festool and their extractors and booms?

http://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/HEPA-dust-extractors/ct-48-hepa-dust-extractor-584084

#10

If you want a good dust collection system for a few $. Look for a dust collector that they use for wood ( JET DC-650 is also ). Then make or buy a cyclone or build a thien seperator that will be placed in front of the dust collector. You can also at a dust filter after the cyclone or thien. If you only want a dust collector for your sanding machine a festool is a good option but also very expensive. Keep in mind carbon dust en electrical machines don’t work together for a long time.

For your vacuum you can use copper pipes. It also can be used for compressed air but not go above 10 bar, to be sure you have to look at there specs.

#11

I have been looking at 2 different JET extractors, but I hear they won’t filter small enough, is that why you suggested the Thien? I could build one, but is there anyone that sells that lid ready to go on a 55gal drum?

#12

You need a micro filter on it.

#13

For the fixed vacuum lines and compressed air lines in your shop: You can use high pressure PVC for that. Usually works up to 16 bar, sometimes 25. (a normal compressor goes up to 8 bar, so plenty of safety.

This is especially handy when you do not like to do plumbing (metal) but still want a neat system.

#14

For ease, I’d like to get two of these kits, but different color tubing. Opinion?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200484023_200484023?cm_mmc=Google-pla--Air%20Compressors--Air%20Compressor%20Accessories-_-20923&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=20923&gclid=CLf4r7vu4roCFUhk7AodIAMAuQ

#15

Damm are you crazy ? Go for some normal tubing and hoses. Safes you a lot off cash. Look for some rubber air hose and score some fittings. Then you have the same as shown above but for $75 or less. If you want some hard hose look for pvc as Herman told you.

#16

Of note, I didn’t specifically mean that product, but that type of setup, I can get bulk compression fittings, manifolds, brackets and bulk hose from a local supply house, and build a vac and air system for less than that setup, I know that, I was more providing an example as opposed to a huge heap of links to all sorts of individual components.

Also, I am going to be putting my vac pump, reservoir, and resin catch on a roll cart setup for now until I finalize layout and needs, but I want to plan ahead and know what I intend to do, and prevent doing things twice if need be.

Thanks for all the advice thus far!

#17

I just wanted to say, I hope you don’t assume I am haphazardly spending, I am just of the mindset to buy reliable equipment that will outlive it’s usefulness and will remain reliable and not leave me stuck in the midst of a project with another variable to bring resolution to. I have been in the automotive field for 15+ years, and I know how much downtime can be brought about by one tiny cog in the machinery so to speak.

#18

What is the filter pore size normally recommended for carbon trimming? HF has a 5 micron wood filter that they sell for 200 bucks which I was looking at. The fan is before the bag so dust would eventually pose a problem on electricals, but for an entry level system it looked pretty attractive to me.

is a 5 micron filter too big/porous?

#19

Yes, from my findings even .3-.5 micron can be too big in some instances. I was thinking of a waterfall/thein and a JET 1 micron just to be on the safe side on the backend, exhausted out of the shop of course.