PVC static woahs: be gone!

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19th November 2006, 09:28 AM
Malibu

PVC static woahs: be gone!

Hands up all those that hate getting a static shock from PVC dust extraction pipe?
I know I do! :eek:
Maybe this tip has already been covered, but I think I might have beaten the problem.

Raid the laundry cupboard and dig out a bottle of "Cuddly". I didn't have one, so I bought a sachet of concentrate and mixed it a little stronger than what they suggested. As far as I know, it HAS to be Cuddly. I don't think any of the other clothes washing additives have the same chemicals in it.
Basically, wipe it all over the ducting, either with a rag soaked in cuddly, or alternatively, I used a squirty bottle full of it. Wipe/spray everywhere, right up to the inlet port and even the outlet port to the bag.
No more static! What a blessing!! :D

I hope this helps anyone with the same problem....
19th November 2006, 09:35 AM
Doughboy

Without these forum these are the sort of tips that would never be passed around. Yet another reason these forums are the bees knees!!!:D :D

This is sure to help some poor old fart from getting a boot that just might stop the old ticker! No names mentioned though.......;)

Pete
19th November 2006, 12:01 PM
felixe

Malibu, 2 Questions:
Are you serious? I am going out to buy some cuddly this week.:p
Where did you dig up this "gem"
Well done and a greenie to you for originality:D
19th November 2006, 12:43 PM
Malibu

2 answers: Yep, very serious :)
So far for me today, I've had no shocks off my ducting and I've only got to LOOK at it and it gets me! I haven't tried many chips yet, mostly sanding dust so I wouldn't mind some feedback on success or failure ( I don't know how long it lasts either) :)
Ahhh, it's a closely guarded secret going back generations... My father used it... his father... his father's father... his father's father's father...
Besides, it says it's has anti-cling properties on the bottle. I thought I'd give it a whirl ;)

I forgot to mention that not only does it stop the static, it leaves the workshop with that "just washed mountain-air smell" about it :D:cool:
19th November 2006, 12:45 PM
David L

Should'nt your ducting be earthed to prevent the possibility of fire?
Good tip though

David
19th November 2006, 12:56 PM
felixe

Oh my god, is cuddly flamable!!!:confused: :eek: :D
19th November 2006, 03:41 PM
RETIRED

Quote:

Originally Posted by felixe

Oh my god, is cuddly flamable!!!:confused: :eek: :D

Wouldn't think so. David is referring to the school of thought that ducting should be earthed to prevent an explosion or fire from static.

Any arguments starting here about this will be deleted. Do a search and waste some time.
19th November 2006, 03:49 PM
felixe

,
I was just foolin around!!' :D:D
Iv'e read all the static posts and also read the book, controlling dust in the workshop
Bugger about the cuddly though, I just poured some down a green ant nest!:p
19th November 2006, 04:25 PM
Malibu

hehe.. Cuddly might or might not be flammable, but so far I haven't torched any washing machines (although, it's a good idea!) :D

There's been huge discussions about the pro's and con's of ducting, pvc, etc... but for one, I could never figure out how to earth a piece of plastic, especially when it's the same stuff that's used to wrap around cables to keep them insulated. I think the fire hazard in ducts is small, but logicaly, to start a fire, you need a point of ignition; such as a static spark. Get rid of the static, you lose the spark and no more ignition problems! :)
Still, I'll keep the 4 extinguishers charged up ready, just in case ;)
19th November 2006, 04:31 PM
Stuart

Quote:

Originally Posted by David L

Should'nt your ducting be earthed to prevent the possibility of fire?
Good tip though

David

I guess not - if there's no static to give you a shock, there's none to create a spark. Pretty amazing concept though - I'll be fascinated to find out if this works for anyone else - I have metres of PVC pipe ready to be installed as dust extraction, and static was something I needed to deal with.

Good thing Cuddly comes in other flavours - hate my shed to smell of peaches!!!
19th November 2006, 04:32 PM
echnidna

Quote:

Originally Posted by felixe

Bugger about the cuddly though, I just poured some down a green ant nest!:p

So you like cuddly green ants? :eek:
19th November 2006, 06:16 PM
outback

AHHH, the old static explosion argument.

more arguments over this than waterstones versus bevel up thickness router joint glue.
19th November 2006, 06:37 PM
Malibu

I'm not worried about some stray spark setting my dust collector into a all-consuming fireball.. I just HATE that zap on a static discharge with a passion!! :D
God, it makes me jump into next week! :eek:
19th November 2006, 07:26 PM
woodcutta

Quote:

I just HATE that zap on a static discharge with a passion!!

Me too!

Spiralling a bare copper wire around the PVC ducting and connecting to the machine will disipate the static. Most flex ducting has a steel wire through it that can also be connected to ground.

woodcutta
19th November 2006, 07:47 PM
Wood Butcher

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malibu

I'm not worried about some stray spark setting my dust collector into a all-consuming fireball.. I just HATE that zap on a static discharge with a passion!! :D
God, it makes me jump into next week! :eek:

For those that are paranoid about static discharge causing fires read this:-
http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyc...ticElectricity
19th November 2006, 07:52 PM
Stuart

Didn't mythbusters have a go at getting this to happen (unsuccessfully)?
19th November 2006, 10:35 PM
Ashore

Quote:

Originally Posted by

Any arguments starting here about this will be deleted. Do a search and waste some time.

as if we would,:rolleyes: why everyone knows without argueing that the best way to get rid of the static is to tune in properly and have good speakers.:D :D
19th November 2006, 10:45 PM
felixe

Nice one Ashore, :D:p for a minute there I thought it was going to end up as a serious discussion!:eek:
20th November 2006, 04:22 PM
journeyman Mick

There's an even simpler way to prevent static shocks from your ducting:

Live in a high humidity area!:D

The air never gets dry enough here to worry about static shocks.

Mick
20th November 2006, 04:28 PM
bitingmidge

Quote:

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

There's an even simpler way to prevent static shocks from your ducting:

I've never had a shock from mine! :D :D :D

(Do you think if I connected it to the system that would change things?)

P
:cool: :cool: :cool:
20th November 2006, 04:35 PM
journeyman Mick

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

I've never had a shock from mine! :D :D :D

(Do you think if I connected it to the system that would change things?)

P
:cool: :cool: :cool:

Possibly, but you don't want to rush into these things ;) .

Mick
20th November 2006, 07:04 PM
Cliff Rogers

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

I've never had a shock from mine! :D :D :D

(Do you think if I connected it to the system that would change things?)

P
:cool: :cool: :cool:

I reckon we'd all get a shock if you did. :p
24th November 2006, 10:32 AM
BrettC

Quote:

So you like cuddly green ants? :eek:

Very good Echidna :D
24th November 2006, 12:17 PM
David L

Sorry Guys

Quote:

Originally Posted by

Wouldn't think so. David is referring to the school of thought that ducting should be earthed to prevent an explosion or fire from static.

Any arguments starting here about this will be deleted. Do a search and waste some time.

I stand corrected
If I ever catch up with the bloke who sold me my DC I will bring him up to date.

David
24th November 2006, 12:24 PM
Gumby

I've used Cuddly on my ducts for a long time now. Everybody says my ducts are much whiter and brighter than any they've seen. They are much softer too. :)