Above-Table Dust Collection Woes
Hello all. I’m new to the forum and also relatively new to woodworking. I have a SawStop PCS with the upgraded blade guard with dust extraction. I also have a Jet 1100 Cannister/Vortex collector with a 4″ hose. I presently just run the hose from machine to machine. I recently did something I thought would be cool, but turned out to be a waste of time. I took the 4″ hose out of the dust collector and ran it to a “Y” splitter. One end of the split went to the back of my SawStop, and the other was reduced to a 2-1/2″ hose, which I ran up to my ceiling, over the top of my saw, and then down to a 1-1/4″ hose, which I connected to the back of my blade guard. Air speed on the 4″ line will suck a golf ball through a mile of garden hose; however air speed through the reduced line is worthless, which causes me to question its value.
I did, however, read a post on this forum (which I lost already) which suggested connecting the top-side dust extractor to a 5HP shop-vac under the extension wing of the table … I trust this will work very well, but, I’m a bit frustrated that I can’t ose my Vortex with this top-side dust collector. I foresee the need to do something different.
I’d love to see your thoughts/suggestions. Thanks kindly!
Rich
Replies
Air will take the path of least resistance. Dust collectors are not the same as vacuums, they are designed to move volumes of air. A long, small hose won't allow much through, especially one that has been reduced to 1 1/4". I often use both the collector and shop vac in such situations. I don't know anything about the SawStops guard aperature but 1 1/4" is very small. Even at 2 1/2" the air volume won't compare to 4" but it would be better than 1 1/4". I wonder if you could construct a venturi by running a 4" close to the guard and splitting off that, 1 1/4" to the guard and an opening. Maybe a T with a gate so you could adjust the other opening.
I have a similar setup and experience the same thing.
I have reasoned that part of the problem is that the particles flying off the cut at the top of the top of the saw are moving with considerable velocity and cut across almost any airstream.
However that theory doesn't completely jibe with the observation that I have considerably less problem with this when I'm not using a zero clearance blade insert. The wide opening in the insert that came with the saw almost eliminates this problem.
You might try that and see what happens.
Mike D
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled