Replies

1. 
   sschefer | Apr 05, 2002 06:21pm | #1

   Ed, my PC plunge has a dust collection port on it that I connect to a small shop vac. My Bosch plunge doesn't but I think I've seen some after market attachments that could be made to work. You might check Rockler or Woodcraft. I'm not sure if a down draft table would work or not. The router tends to throw stuff up and away from the work and I would think it would take quite a bit of suction to pull it down into the collection area. When your sanding the dust tends not to fly that far so a downdraft table works well.

   Steve - in Northern California

1. 
   EdB18 | Apr 05, 2002 07:13pm | #2

   Thanks, Steve.  I was afraid you would say what you did.  Unfortunately, I have checked the Rocker and Woodcraft catalogs, plus others, and have been unable -- so far -- to locate any aftermarket kit.  I'll keep looking.

   Meanwhile, maybe someone on here will suggest something else that I can try.

   Ed

1. 
   sschefer | Apr 05, 2002 07:26pm | #3

   Ed, which model do you have? The new Makita plunge Kit comes with a dust collection port attachment that might fit yours.Steve - in Northern California

1. 
   EdB18 | Apr 06, 2002 04:35am | #5

   Steve, I have a Makita 3612BR, which I don't think is made now in exactly that configuration.

   Funny you should mention a new Makita kit with a dust collection port.  I just went to a woodworking show this afternoon, and Makita was there in force.  I talked with a rep, and we both checked the new catalogs.  According to them, Makita has nothing and they advised looking into an aftermarket solution.

   There are a few, very few that I know of, routers that even have a dust collection port.  I found a couple of intersting solutions in books at the show, but they would work only in edging situations.

   Ed

1. 
   sschefer | Apr 06, 2002 04:44am | #7

   Ed, thats strange. I went to http://www.makita.com and the had the kit with dust collection. You might want to check it out. You kind of have to wander around to get to the routers but it's pretty easy to find them.

   Steve - in Northern California

2. 
   EdB18 | Apr 06, 2002 02:32pm | #9

   I know.  I spoke to quicklyl.  I spent a little time last night pouring over their catalog.  The attachable dust port is shown in the section on the Makita line of vacuums, but there is no mention in the router section.  I will also check out the web site, and there is a Makita Service Center here.

   Thanks again for the tip.  You've been helpful.

   Ed

2. 
   Dutchy1 | Apr 05, 2002 11:14pm | #4

   The difference between sanding and routing is in the chips. A downdraft table will not work. In fact: with a handheld router a lot of dust or chip collecting systems dont work. It depends in with direction the chips are thrown out. Last week I did a lot of template milling and after putting 20 cm duct tape and a halved small can to the router it proved possible to work in a neat way. But it works only for this job.

   So I gather extra duct, hoses and plastic cans for the next case.

   Ruud Joling. The Netherlands

1. 
   EdB18 | Apr 06, 2002 04:40am | #6

   Dutchy, you may be onto something! I am about to do template dovetails on 9 drawers, which is what raised the issue for me in the first place.  I saw a couple of homemade solutions in a book today, and one of them was a variation of what you came up with.  In that case, a piece of sheet metal furnace duct was modified (made into a sort of half moon in fact), attached to one of the openings, with the other openings covered with plactic lens material from a pair of safety goggles.  The whole was sealed up and attached in a way that I wouldn't try.  I would go more the duct tape route.  Your can idea sounds easier to me!

   Thanks.  I may explore this.

   Ed

3. 
   SCFrankland | Apr 06, 2002 05:58am | #8

   Ed I have the 3612C and there is a dust collector available from Makita that fits this machine. The only problem is that it is very cheap looking and does not look as if it will last very long due to its mounting hardware. Lee Valley sells a dust collection system made by Leigh that may suit your needs. Here is a link for it.

   http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=41723&category=1,43000&ccurrency=1&SID=

   Scott C. Frankland

   Newfoundland Wood Worker

   
   

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   Edited 4/5/2002 10:59:23 PM ET by Scott Frankland

1. 
   EdB18 | Apr 06, 2002 02:37pm | #10

   Scott, thanks.  I may order this and try it out.  I have now learned that Makita has one also for its routers.  I don't know the price yet.  It looks even cheaper than the LeeValley one, but I have a lot of confidence in LeeValley products as a rule.

   Ed