Whats the Best Coal Chute?
- hotblast1357
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I am considering a bin in my basement, goin to chute the coal though a basement window of standard size, the coal guy has a single axle dump with normal dump box with a coal door. The max angle I can achieve is 37.6 degrees. I did a test run with a 5 gallon pail using pea coal which is what I'm buying, and it flows continuously at 38 degrees. So with the momentum coming out of the truck I should definitely be alright.
My thought was a 4or 6" pvc pipe, but I have read that some think it's not the best. His coal is outside so as long as it doesn't rain it will be dry goin down the chute. I have also found on here some say stainless is the best, I will not buy that. Trying to keep the cost to a minimum of coarse lol. I have a abundance of steel street signs, I could make a chute out of them. Pvc would be the quickest.
What is everyone's thought and what are you all using?
My thought was a 4or 6" pvc pipe, but I have read that some think it's not the best. His coal is outside so as long as it doesn't rain it will be dry goin down the chute. I have also found on here some say stainless is the best, I will not buy that. Trying to keep the cost to a minimum of coarse lol. I have a abundance of steel street signs, I could make a chute out of them. Pvc would be the quickest.
What is everyone's thought and what are you all using?
- coaledsweat
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I did some tests too but it doesn't scale up well. Avoid PVC if you can. For the best flow a flat bottom chute is the winner and of course out of metal. Aluminum is prefered because of weight but wears. That probably isn't a concern with a home owner's chute.
- SWPaDon
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Steel signs? I don't think they have made steel signs for over 50 years.hotblast1357 wrote:I am considering a bin in my basement, goin to chute the coal though a basement window of standard size, the coal guy has a single axle dump with normal dump box with a coal door. The max angle I can achieve is 37.6 degrees. I did a test run with a 5 gallon pail using pea coal which is what I'm buying, and it flows continuously at 38 degrees. So with the momentum coming out of the truck I should definitely be alright.
My thought was a 4or 6" pvc pipe, but I have read that some think it's not the best. His coal is outside so as long as it doesn't rain it will be dry goin down the chute. I have also found on here some say stainless is the best, I will not buy that. Trying to keep the cost to a minimum of coarse lol. I have a abundance of steel street signs, I could make a chute out of them. Pvc would be the quickest.
What is everyone's thought and what are you all using?
- hotblast1357
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- Coal Size/Type: Lehigh anthracite pea
- Other Heating: air source heat pump, oil furnace
Alright thanks, I'm only flowing 5 tons once a year so wear isn't a big concern.coaledsweat wrote:I did some tests too but it doesn't scale up well. Avoid PVC if you can. For the best flow a flat bottom chute is the winner and of course out of metal. Aluminum is prefered because of weight but wears. That probably isn't a concern with a home owner's chute.
- hotblast1357
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Lol yes they are old, but are steel. Some are possibly galvanized? The guy before me here built a big wood shed out of them, you could only guess where he worked and also where I work. LolSWPaDon wrote:Steel signs? I don't think they have made steel signs for over 50 years.hotblast1357 wrote:I am considering a bin in my basement, goin to chute the coal though a basement window of standard size, the coal guy has a single axle dump with normal dump box with a coal door. The max angle I can achieve is 37.6 degrees. I did a test run with a 5 gallon pail using pea coal which is what I'm buying, and it flows continuously at 38 degrees. So with the momentum coming out of the truck I should definitely be alright.
My thought was a 4or 6" pvc pipe, but I have read that some think it's not the best. His coal is outside so as long as it doesn't rain it will be dry goin down the chute. I have also found on here some say stainless is the best, I will not buy that. Trying to keep the cost to a minimum of coarse lol. I have a abundance of steel street signs, I could make a chute out of them. Pvc would be the quickest.
What is everyone's thought and what are you all using?
- SWPaDon
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hotblast1357 wrote: Lol yes they are old, but are steel. Some are possibly galvanized? The guy before me here built a big wood shed out of them, you could only guess where he worked and also where I work. Lol
I would just make the chute out of those, since you have them on hand. Just make it so it can be replaced later on. With some paint occasionally, you should get a good 10 years out of them.
- hotblast1357
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Alight I can make it 12-16" wide, and just use 2x4's for side rails to keep the coal on the chute.
- SWPaDon
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I would go 16 inches, and make sure it's a steep enough slope that the coal won't hang up at all. If any coal hangs up, it will back up quickly.
- hotblast1357
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Alright, ya I already have the angle setup that it'll flow.
- Richard S.
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If you have a window and it's straight shot to the bin just let the coal guy take care of it, anybody delivering coal should have all the chute you need. The only thing you're going to do adding your own chute is complicate things and if it's permanent it's now in the way. That would be my advice to you if I was the guy delivering the coal, there is lot of things I can do but once you start putting obstacles in the way you're limiting my options. When I went to deliver what I wanted was the clearest shot to the bin possible.
As far as the metal used if you don't use SS or aluminum it will rust even if it's galvanized, coal needs a smooth surface. The galvanized may last a few years but it's going to rust eventually. During the winter with tough deliveries a single piece of frozen coal on the chute can screw things up.
As far as the metal used if you don't use SS or aluminum it will rust even if it's galvanized, coal needs a smooth surface. The galvanized may last a few years but it's going to rust eventually. During the winter with tough deliveries a single piece of frozen coal on the chute can screw things up.
- hotblast1357
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Thanks Richard, I do not believe he has a chute, he is not a big time seller, he just offers it to select people. I will have to ask him. This will not be a permanent chute, it will be in and out for delivery. Delivery will be in the summer or fall, and it will last all winter. It is a straight shot, about 12 feet long, with a 36 degree slope.
- McGiever
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12 feet long! Seems that after traveling 12 ' @ 36 or so degrees it would have to be a pretty shallow pile or you have a really deep basement...or is my geometry way off today?
- hotblast1357
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That is starting at 3 feet above the ground outside, and dropping into a 4 foot tall bin.
- hotblast1357
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What about galvanized ductwork piping? very slick stuff, I will have to do a test run with I get home.
- oliver power
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I'd make a simple light weight wood chute, about 16" wide x 8 or 10 inches deep. EXAMPLE: 1 x 10 sides, and luan bottom. Wood will not corrode. Then line it with TYVEK house wrap (very slippery). When the TYVEK finally tears, replace it. My next coal gravity bin will be made of plywood, with TYVEK liner. Metal ones keep rotting away. Like I said; next one will be wood.
Last edited by oliver power on Mon. Jul. 06, 2015 2:02 am, edited 1 time in total.