Going through a shop upgrade and will be installing vacuum to the planer. What kind of hose should I use that is light and flexible and won’t collapse??? What are some tricks to supporting it over the work area so it will stayup off the board but allow you to pull it from end to end? Cable/pulley set up?? Bungees? Any one have some good ideas?
Krokus
I use vacuum hose. They sell it for shop vacs, dust collection systems, and regular vaccum cleaners. Easy to find at swap meets & flea markets, more expensive at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. You can also find lightweight hose for pool/spa pumps…
I use a cable/pulley system running the length of the room, with some adjustable bungee cords to pick up the slack. (Someone suggested using counterweights once but I’ve never tried that.) Plus you want to run your power cord up the vac hose. My hose/cord comes overhead from the side in the middle of the racks, just because that fits my setup. Others may put the vaccum down at one end of the racks. Just have to play around with the whole system until you have enough slack to not impede your work, but not so much that the hoses/cords are in your way…
I’ve suggested this before – it helps to have a Y or T in your vaccum system so that you can use another hose to clean up your floor, tools, etc. without having to disconnect the planer hose.
I used to have a pulley system set-up hooked to my hose to keep it off the blank - It was not a very good system, Basically a couple of pulleys a rope and a Crown Royal bag with some rocks in it for a counter balance. Last year I built a new shaping room and put some effort in to the design which paid off. I got some steel from home depot and welded op a swing arm like they use at the car-wash to run back and forth - I them cut some pvc rings that slid over the swing arm and attached my vacuum hose the rings with zip ties - I used that blue pool hose from home depot it was kinda expensive. I ran my planer cord up the vacuum hose and just used tape to fasten it to the hose. I keep my shop vac out side the shaping room because it generates a lot of heat - so I ran the hose thru the wall. I would suggest getting the biggest capacity vaccume you can get because mine fills up after shaping just two short boards.
good luck
Also take a look at Clark foam’s new setup - I hear it works great - they have a trigger switch that turns on the vacuum when you pull the planer trigger.
That was my idea also. I’m going to put the vac AND my air compressor outside the shop with remote attachment points. I use both for other things so I want to be able to just plug 'em in when I need them. I’m goin to wire up a swith so I can just turn on the vac from inside when I start. Swing arm sounds pretty cool…definitely a “Tee” so another hose can be attached. Might even put a floor duct in so I can just sweep over to it and whooosh! no dustpan!
Thanks for the input…will check out the pool hose.
Krokus
HANDS down, the new hose they are using for the clark foam setup is the best thing ever, it has an elastic property to it, not in use the hose is say 18 inches it stretches out to over 9 foot. then goes right back to 18 it doesnt sag or drop, it stays out of the way much less hose to have cluttering up the room, I used to have the pool hose dangling everywhere too, it was always in the way, The new clark hose just takes up its tiny little space.
If you cant get to clark and want one let me know Ill get you one, 18.00 plus the shipping, That will still actually be cheaper than the hose youd end up buying from home depot.
That goes for anyone, contact me if you want the hose
I’ll back that comment by surflab. I have the clark foam system installed. It’s the best tool I’ve ever had since my planer. Two things that make it work insanely well: The new tube that attaches to your planer, (I hear it’s life-support tubing) it is a clear elastic tube, Sorta like a long condom with a slinky built into it. And then the auto-on and off switch box works great too. You can also order any of the parts separately. So far I’m giving it 5 stars! -Carl
Awww man… just spent $18 on a vacuum hose attachment - from Home Depot about a week and a half ago… but mine came with some sporty nozzle attachments.
Where do you get the Clark tubing from… can you just go over to San Clemente and pick it up?
Surflab is correct the Clark Foam “Slinky Hose” is an incredible breakthrough for the vacuum system. We have had a couple of the Clark Foam Vacuum systems in our shop for a few months that the guys are using and they love them. We stock the “Slinky Hose” http://www.foamez.com/store/productDetails.cfm?prodID=349&prodIDCat=24 if it’s something you want to use with your own vac system.
Good luck.
The Guys at www.foamez.com
Can that vacuum hose hook up to the last model (not the new model) of the modified hitachi planer? Do I need to buy an attachment kit?
…Yes,the old planers don’t come fitted with the vac-chute,unless Clark has now made them standard equipment.
…I use the cheap black hose found with the sump pumps at H.D. about 30ft.(has 6 ft sections for cutoffs) and is the same hose that comes w/ wet/dry vacs ,but about 25% of the cost by volume.
…I also use a slide wire(instead of a pulley) with small diameter/thin bungee cords attached to the wire and hose w/stainless ballbearing swivels used in fishing…any good functioning swivel will work.The ballbearing swivels are superior.Herb
Tom- Yeah, actually I have the old planer too. Clark sells an adapter attachment that you screw on to your planer. -Carl
Hey Carl,
While we’re at it,don’t forget to tell him he has to chop(cut/sawoff) the stock-body chute to fit the conversion.
…Like to see the new Clark hose.I don’t know if it will adapt to my system ,but it’s worthy of a trial.Herb
Yeah, You gotta chop off the stock chute, it takes about 1 minute with a hand saw… so minor that I forgot to pass that along. Thanks Herb! -Carl
Herb-
Stop by the shop and check out the hose and the whole vac system, I think you’d really like it. Hoffman thinks the world of his!
Nigel,
What is the difference in the clark planer you are selling for $235 and the one Fiberglass Supply has for $190??? I really like your site but the pricing doesn’t seem to be as competitive as several other suppliers. The “Slinky” hose is definitely the way to go. Is there a transition piece from the planer to the hose??? Looks like there is in the picture. Does that come with the hose??
I’m going to buy another planer in the next week or so and I’m shopping! If there is a combo deal out there I’d like to know.
Thanks
Krokus
Nigel,
I’ll be by tomorrow to pick-up a blank…(save me a 7-3 or I’ll need to order one)…I have a great vac set-up,but it’s worth a look.I can’t justify buying a new vac right now(I have 3,two of which are ready to use at a seconds notice),but I am interested in buying a hose.
…Hey you guys want to commission these eps styros? or buy them out right(check the marketplace here)?I really need the room right now and they are cluster-f*"#king things up for me,I’ll let them go cheap!!!
you can email me or leave a message if you’d like and I’ll phone back ,whatever the course I’ll be there toe-mally.It would be easier for me to do this all in one shot,that is if you guys are interested.Herb