Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | May 31, 2004 07:47pm | #1

   I'm not sure I understand the problem.

   Ordinarily, the dust collection port on a bandsaw is beneath the blade, and since the blade is moving down, the DC will do an adequate job cleaning off the surface of your work piece -- so you can see what you're doing.

   I remember seeing a smallish tube ( it was orange, and a gooseneck style) that you could hook up to your vac to solve this problem (also for scroll saws and drill presses). It was in the Woodcraft catalog.

   If all else fails, you can use the old stand-by technique, and just exercise your lungs to blow off the surface dust.

2. 
   Knothead05 | May 31, 2004 08:22pm | #2

   Although the solution is a bit pricy, the blade guard/dust collection assembly sold by Penn State Industries does the trick very well.  Here's the URL:

   http://www.pennstateind.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=TSG

   They even sell the clear plastic hood/guard as a replacement part for only about $30.  If you're handy with basic metal working, you can fabricate the posts and arms yourself and save quite a bit.

   I haven't popped for one yet, but a close friend here has it and I've seen him cut all types of material with not a speck of dust left anywhere near the blade.  It's used in conjunction with the main dust port under the blade, since that's where 75% or more of it is during cutting.

   Also, my friend has mounted his to the ceiling over his saw instead of to the saw table itself, so it can't get in the way of extra large material that would hit the clamp.

   Lastly, using zero-clearance inserts helps, and check to be sure all the openings in your saw base are blocked from air entry - every additional air access point weakens the "pull" of your dust collection system and its ability to capture the dust created by the blade.  On my saw, for example, the slot for the tilt-travel of the blade height crank is a major source of stray air entry.  I just duct-tape a piece of scrap sheet metal over it unless I need to tilt the blade.  Big difference in dust pickup!