Whats the Best Coal Chute?

hotblast1357 · Post by **hotblast1357** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 1:39 pm

This is true, I don't see how the duct work piping could rot away though, my ductwork in the basement is not rusted.

oliver power · Post by **oliver power** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 2:26 pm

hotblast1357 wrote:This is true, I don't see how the duct work piping could rot away though, my ductwork in the basement is not rusted.

I've re-lined my gravity wagon with galvanized sheet metal twice. Trust me, it'll rot away in a year or two. Maybe not so if using as chute, then cleaned, and put up high & dry. But, if coal, or coal dust is left on it, it Will rust/rot. Too bad you didn't live a little closer to me, I'd bend you up a chute. I don't think you'll find duct work that long. Maybe??? Here's another thought; How about picking up a play ground slide. You might find one long enough to do what you want.

hotblast1357 · Post by **hotblast1357** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 2:29 pm

Oh ya I'm sure with coal on it 24/7 the moisture and what not will cause rust.

oliver power · Post by **oliver power** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 3:00 pm

hotblast1357 wrote:Oh ya I'm sure with coal on it 24/7 the moisture and what not will cause rust.

I've GOT IT......In your neck of the woods, Find a contractor with a standing seam roof panel machine. They'll run you out any length you want.

hotblast1357 · Post by **hotblast1357** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 3:24 pm

Hmm that could work.. I'm gonna give the pipe a try now.

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 3:33 pm

I'd make it out of 1x12 bottom with 1x6 sides screwed and glued to the sides of the 1x12. That should give you a 12 x 5 shute.

Then tack, or staple, one long piece of aluminum roof flashing to one side, push it down into the corners and tack it to the other side. The lower corners don't have to be 90 degrees, just kinda close.

Much lighter, and it would still be strong for support over longer unsupported lengths.

Paul

hotblast1357 · Post by **hotblast1357** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 4:56 pm

That would work, I'm gonna have to check with the guy too see if he has a chute.

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 8:15 pm

hotblast1357 wrote:That would work, I'm gonna have to check with the guy too see if he has a chute.

Even better yet!

Paul

SWPaDon · Post by **SWPaDon** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 10:54 pm

Do not use wood on a 38 degree pitch.......it will not work...........period ! If I get some fines on my 45 degree pitch mine backs up, then I need to move it by hand.

hotblast1357 · Post by **hotblast1357** » Mon. Jul. 06, 2015 5:12 am

Don't worry I will not use wood unless I'm going to line it with something.

Post by **Richard S.** » Mon. Jul. 06, 2015 8:19 pm

hotblast1357 wrote:What about galvanized ductwork piping? very slick stuff, I will have to do a test run with I get home.

How are you going to support it? One thing to remember here is you might have a few hundred pounds in your chute. If it gets stopped for any reason such as the bin is full you're going to have a lot more. Aluminum coal chutes are very thick, not sure what it is but at least double that of ducts. Probably something like 3/32 and it's like the highest grade aluminum you can get, there is very thick aluminum rails on the sides. I've seen them bend in half when the coal has been stopped up. It's like watching $200 bucks go up in smoke instantly.

It will rust, may take a few times but will rust. You're running a lot of coal over and that is abrasive. One other thing, any ding or dent will eventually form a hole.

If you're going to make this your best bet is probably PVC becsue you get the strength and it's going to last.

Post by **Richard S.** » Mon. Jul. 06, 2015 8:20 pm

hotblast1357 wrote: my ductwork in the basement is not rusted.

Your ductwork doesn't have tons of abrasive material running over it.

Post by **Richard S.** » Mon. Jul. 06, 2015 8:30 pm

Sunny Boy wrote: Then tack, or staple, one long piece of aluminum roof flashing to one side, push it down into the corners and tack it to the other side.

One thing to make sure is anywhere you are using fasteners is not where the coal will run over it. It's going to slow it down a little but more importantly it's going to put a hole in it. It probably wouldn't take very long at all with a thin piece of aluminum that isn't high grade.

hotblast1357 · Post by **hotblast1357** » Mon. Jul. 06, 2015 9:13 pm

Ok thanks Richard, I talked to the delivery guy and his chute is only 5 feet long, so I have to build one, I have the frame made out of 2x4's, and started lining it with duct work but sliced my thumb open and now am in the hospital for stitches, lol the heck with the duct work!! Pvc would be the easiest but idk how I can go from his flat chute to the round pipe, I have the street signs I can cut to line the frame with, it is a lot thicker and will last longer than the galvanized. I will have to have to brainstorm this.

Post by **Richard S.** » Mon. Jul. 06, 2015 9:38 pm

hotblast1357 wrote:Ok thanks Richard, I talked to the delivery guy and his chute is only 5 feet long, so I have to build one,

He's not a delivery guy then.

Bare minimum on most coal delivery trucks is going to be about 30 feet.

Pvc would be the easiest but idk how I can go from his flat chute to the round pipe,

If he was setup he'd have what is called the short chute that funnels down to about 5 inches. I even went beyond that and had SS chute made that I could slide right into clay pipes which was common. That said I'd just block up the regular chute so half of it was lined up with the pipe, angle the chute, let it out slow and the coal will all move to the one side of the chute into a stream a few inches wide.

I have the street signs I can cut to line the frame with, it is a lot thicker and will last longer than the galvanized.

Again once it's gets rusty it's not going to run over it very well.