interesting problem

Re: interesting problem

Bill Howatt

Apart for jacking one side of the shop up 6' so the can will roll, the only thing I can think of is perhaps putting the exhaust of a big shop-vac in the inlet and maybe it'll give some extra oomph with the DC running or not running to move it.

This is the kind of post I'd expect from Barry Irby!

Bill

Thanks Bill

john lucas

Wonder if putting my leaf blower down stream to go along with the dust collector to create the volume needed.

Re: interesting problem

Don Evans

Have you check the down's between where it when in and the collector, MAYBE with luck it's already down one of them???

Don

Re: interesting problem

John K Jordan

Can you possibly fasten a block or something to the end of a plumber's snake feed it up and push it to the next interstate exit?

(It you had PVC pipes and if it is a steel can a strong magnet might pull it back. That's what you get for using that high quality ducting!)

I've lost sandpaper, paper towels and rags in mine but never a paint can! I remember seeing a ClearVu cyclone video where a guy released a 30' measuring tape by an inlet and it dumped it in the bin. I'd hate for my cat to get too close.

JKJ

yep that was the first thing I did.

a magnet is worth a try- so is the snake

Re: interesting problem

Lyle Jamieson

How about sound?? With the blower off and a quiet shop you might be able to tap the duct and listen for the rattle of the can inside. If you can find it, you know where to take it apart and get it out.

Re: interesting problem

Jim Putnam

John, you probably have enough air flow in the 6" pipe. If it lifted the can up the 4" riser, a horizontal move through the 6" pipe should be possible; however, it might drop down into the second T (instead of passing by) if the blast gate at the bottom was closed. How about checking to see if the air flow is more at the second (right side in the picture) riser. If it is higher, the can is likely stuck somewhere between the risers. Do you have screws at the ducting connections that extend into the air flow and could catch the can? Maybe use an fiber optical camera to look up each of the risers to see if the can is visible. After locating the can you'll be better able to determine a recovery strategy.

Some ideas: Reverse the air flow to blow air backwards through the system to loosen the can - maybe the leaf blower could help do that? Use the blast gates to manage the air flow to be effective. The can can might be reached and shifted loose with a plumbing snake. Tapping the ducting to dislodge the can might allow it to move/unstick. Running a smaller shop vac hose into the ducting might allow you to 'catch' the can and drag it back to drop down a riser. It's likely stuck at a joint, connection or bend.

I'll be interested to hear your solution. The slab is poured for my new shop and the dust collection ducting is in the concrete floor. This could make for similar challenges. Good luck.

Jim Putnam

Re: interesting problem

Mike Brazeau

How about drilling a small hole in the right side of the right drop or from right side and pushing a 1/4" rod of steel or whatever through and trying to push it into the drop. Cover the hole with a couple of layers of Aluminum duct tape. If you lived nearby, i bought an infra red camera years ago that hookes to a monitor or VCR. Was looking for a momma racoon and family down in the surround of a basement steel fireplace at te time. Has been handy for a few things.

String

Dick Coers

Tie a small bit of cloth to the end of a coil of string. Open up the other end of the pipe. Close off the opening where you have started the string as best you can, hold on to one end of the string, then use compressed air to blow the string down the line. Tie a bigger rag on it and pull the plug through to catch the can. Either that, or send a small radio controlled toy truck down the line. I once read that phone guys have used RC trucks to pull line over dropped ceiling tile.

A mini drone

John C Lucas

I'm thinking a mini drone with a camera. Actually I like the string and rag idea. I pulled the end corner off and could look all the way to the next corner. I'm starting to think in my panic to shut off the dust collector I actually let the can fall.out of the end without noticing it. I 5 cans sitting out and don't remember how many I had before the incident. I'm just going to let it go for now. If I hear a big thunk some day I'll know what it is.

Re: interesting problem

Joe Fleming

No additional suggestions, but this is funny as heck. LOL

Re: interesting problem

john lucas

On my old dust collector it could have been disastrous. There wasn't any kind of screen over the entrance to the dust collector so the can might have been pulled all the way to the blades which would have been quite exciting. This one has a very large wire screen over the opening with holes about 2x2" so it would have stopped the can.

Yes and no

Dick Coers

The size of the can would have likely kept it from getting into the blades of the impeller. If you are using a 4" inlet on the collector. I have the 4" adapter on the collector inlet, so no room for the can to get between the hub of impeller and the o.d. of inlet.Bigger pipe, it might have been chewing.

I was using a 4" hose to clean around the shop. An empty soda can goes into the hose before I can react. I wait for the crash at the dust collector, but it never happens. I shut it all down and pull the hose. The can was perfectly centered on the nut at the center of the impeller. In this case the length of the can also helped, but I was sure surprised it wasn't chewing on the aluminum.

Re: interesting problem

William Duffield

It's turned sideways in the 4" to 6" funnel at the top of the riser it went up. There is a smaller possibility it is in the funnel in the next riser, but that would mean it was still moving pretty fast when it hit the top of the first 6" T. To verify, put your hand on the outside of the funnel, turn on the vac and turn it off or open and close the blast gate behind it. You should feel the impact of the can when it drops back into place in the funnel.

BTW, running an RC car or drone up in the duct won't work because the radio signals won't penetrate the metal ducts, and the vehicle will not be controllable, and won't send back any pics.

Bring a ladder in

Jorge

and tap with a rubber mallet with the suction to the max...