Thanks Derek,
I do struggle a bit over keeping my advice aligned with perceived reality.

TG: Good idea about the conveyor system, if I'm going to blow the fine stuff into a dust shed. I could move the dust from hand tools there as well. Though hand plane shavings are dynamite for lighting the wood stove.

My biggest concern in dust collection is the really fine dust from high speed power tools. I can really feel it in my lungs after a day spent with the router and no dust collection, I've done enough damage in that department already. :rolleyes:

A dust fire below the floor is a scary thought, especially in a barn full of expensive toys, wood scraps and several thousand board feet of drying lumber. I'm thinking keeping the tubes up and exposed will be simpler and safer.