Dust Collection Gates

[Rockytime]

I have three gates on my DC. They are plastic which I got from Woodcraft. They are terrible. The diaphragm is sticky. The do not close completely and jam. One gate does close completely but two do not requiring me to use desperate measures. I' just wondering what others use for gates. There is a tennis court in our back yard and we have a bucket full of tennis balls.

[Sycamore67]

I did not like the plastic gates or metal gates that you can buy.  I built my own gates both 4" and 6" ones.  I will see if I can find pictures.

[JimErn]

Admitting that I have zero experience for this, I am planning  my own.

I was going to use ball valves, but then too I was not going to use 4" pvc.  I figure if a ball valve will hold back 30psi of water, it should be good for a vacuum too

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I use those gates and at one time was suppose to change to metal ones but never did. What happens is dirt and debris get caught in the corners causing them to not close all the way. You need to clean them out with a thin piece of wire now and then. As far as not sliding well use some dry silicon lubricant and they will close easily. Same stuff you put on tablesaw mechanics. Not the most efficient set-up on the run of that system for sure. Alot of suction power lost.

Edited April 6, 2019 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[Woodmaster1]

I had plastic gates they don't work after you use them for awhile. I switched to metal gates that have switches to activate the dust collector. I like the system so far.

[trackman]

Mine did the same thing, as said dirt gets trapped in the corners. What I did was cut the back edge off this way the dust won’t have a place to build up.  Haven’t had any problem since doing this 5 years ago. 

[tgiro]

I buy the cheap plastic gates all the time. Tennis balls work OK for the smaller diameter hoses, but my dust collector works on 5" and 4" piping to the major tools. The scroll saw, drill press and a couple of smaller sanders get the 2.5" hoses.

To keep your gates from clogging, cut the ends of the gates. That way the gate pushes the sawdust right out the end of the gate and never blocks the gate.  If the gate is getting a little sticky, some dry silicone spray does the trick.

 

Edited April 6, 2019 by tgiro
spelling

[Karl S]

Great tip, thank you I just might swipe your idea!

[Rockytime]

Duh! What a great and simple idea. If I can get up enough energy and ambition I'll disassemble the gates and cut the edges off. Great suggestion. Thanks.

[new2woodwrk]

I use these gates - I have about 10 of them on various outlets with no problems

As others have mentioned, they need to be kept clean - I'm going to try @tgiro 's method - sounds like a winner

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Be careful when you cut the ends off like that air is lost and any lost air affects suction. Those plates are not exact fits in the slots. Just my thoughts. 

[trackman]

7 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Be careful when you cut the ends off like that air is lost and any lost air affects suction. Those plates are not exact fits in the slots. Just my thoughts. 

I have noticed that the suction will pull up on the gate and make a seal. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

3 hours ago, trackman said:

I have noticed that the suction will pull up on the gate and make a seal. 

That is good. Have to ask then why have they not made gates like this with the back end open?? Debris is something that plagues  just about all gates systems. The best gates are ones with rounded corners. 

[tgiro]

2 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

That is good. Have to ask then why have they not made gates like this with the back end open?? Debris is something that plagues  just about all gates systems. The best gates are ones with rounded corners. 

They do make open ended gates, but the slide is a little longer. https://www.ptreeusa.com/dust_blastgates.html

You'll note that the price is about double the cost of the regular gate. I haven't had any problems with mine so I just get the cheap ones & cut them off.

I did think about making my own out of 1/2" ply, but the cost of the wood was just as great if not more than the cheap gates.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

2 hours ago, tgiro said:

They do make open ended gates, but the slide is a little longer. https://www.ptreeusa.com/dust_blastgates.html

You'll note that the price is about double the cost of the regular gate. I haven't had any problems with mine so I just get the cheap ones & cut them off.

I did think about making my own out of 1/2" ply, but the cost of the wood was just as great if not more than the cheap gates.

There are some videos out there of people making them from plastics and some from wood. My point was before many people start cutting the backs off to try one and see if you like it before you start doing a bunch.