cheap non-combustible vacuum hose?

[pybyr]

Hello fellow Boiler Rm tech-type folks and DIY-ers- I am kludging together an ash cleaning set-up with a small steel cyclone filter set up over a steel pail, followed by a stainless steel mesh (some mil-surplus compressor filter) to catch sparks or bits of coals (and any large particles that made it past the cyclone separator), to then be followed by a clean stream shop vac hepa filter, then an electric vacuum motor. Many of these items have been scrounged, so the cost is staying fairly low, and I want to keep it that way. I am going to use it at first to clean the boiler/flue when there has been no fire for some time- so I can use regular shop vac or sump-pump hose for the suction hose. But eventually I may want to use it more often and when there have been recent fires in the boiler.

Anyone have any suggestions for a non-combustible suction hose for this set-up that won't carry a premium price (in the approximate 1.25 to 2 inch diameter range)?

Thanks

 

[Chris Hoskin]

we offer the Loveless Ash Vac for $235.00. Does everything you want, I think. If you are still keen to build something yourself, they may be a good source for parts and components like hose and fire retardant filter.

 

[DaveBP]

Not very elegant and not something you'd want to go room-to-room with but flexible radiator hose (all steel) is available at auto parts shops.

 

[heaterman]

Hello fellow Boiler Rm tech-type folks and DIY-ers- I am kludging together an ash cleaning set-up with a small steel cyclone filter set up over a steel pail, followed by a stainless steel mesh (some mil-surplus compressor filter) to catch sparks or bits of coals (and any large particles that made it past the cyclone separator), to then be followed by a clean stream shop vac hepa filter, then an electric vacuum motor. Many of these items have been scrounged, so the cost is staying fairly low, and I want to keep it that way. I am going to use it at first to clean the boiler/flue when there has been no fire for some time- so I can use regular shop vac or sump-pump hose for the suction hose. But eventually I may want to use it more often and when there have been recent fires in the boiler.

Anyone have any suggestions for a non-combustible suction hose for this set-up that won't carry a premium price (in the approximate 1.25 to 2 inch diameter range)?

Thanks

Check some local supply houses for a replacement hose used on a Sootmaster vac. Probably won't be real inexpensive but the alternative (starting a fan forced fire with your vac) can really wreck a guys day.