Replies

1. 
   zolton | Feb 25, 2009 03:56pm | #1

   FG,

   I only use my PC 690 in the router table, but have a Bosch 1617 for freehand work.

   There are a couple of dust collection devices that go on the Bosch. One, used with the plunge base, is a clear plastic shroud that mounts on top of the baseplate. I've used this quite a lot when plunge-routing mortises and slots, and it is amazingly effective. It gets about 98% of the chips thrown by an up-spiral bit. I've even used the router without a dust mask on occasion...

   There is also an edge-routing dust collection shroud for the Bosch, but I haven't taken the time to set that up yet. It looks pretty fiddly to get set right. And for running just a few feet of edge-routing it seems as though it would be more hassle to put on the router than it's worth.

   My point is that, if such shrouds are available for the PC, they're certainly worth it. Especially for the plunge routing. That makes the work more accurate because chips aren't piling up on the surface of what you're trying to rout.

   I think, also, that the age of your router might play a part in this. My old PC 690 had no thought given whatsoever to dust collection, but the newer models likely have shrouds you can purchase. I doubt my old PC could be retrofitted with dust collection.

   Finally, you need to attach the dust shroud to a dust extraction source. The outlets on the Bosch shrouds I have are a perfect fit for the aftermarket 12 foot PC "Shop Vac" hose. This is the one that fits into a standard 1 1/4 inch Shop Vac inlet (I think that's the dimension, but now that I wrote it, it sounds too small. Maybe it's a 2 1/4 inlet, with a 1 1/4 hose. At any rate, it's not the bigger 2 1/2 inch hose for sure).

   Bosch makes a little, one inch diameter hose that I've read does not have very good dust extraction capability. The larger hose I have, on the other hand, does work very well and is not overly heavy or bulky. You want to avoid adding adapter after adapter to a non-standard hose or a non-standard inlet or outlet, as that adds bulk, expense, and cost.

   Zolton 

    

   If you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 25, 2009 08:38pm | #2

   "...the age of your router might play a part in this. My old PC 690 had no thought given whatsoever to dust collection...."  You're probably right there, Zolton.  Sad but true.

   The small Bosch hose you're referring to sounds similar to the one on my little PC circular saw (5.5"? blade).  The inflow-end is designed for the tube that comes out of the saw, but the outflow end doesn't fit my Shop Vac.  Adapters again, irritating.  Not sure what vac they made it for.

   I threw this post out in a fit of dusty frustration, hoping maybe some clever Knots member had made a dust-gatherer for their 690.  Perhaps not.  If I come up with something, I'll post it. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   Routerman | Feb 25, 2009 09:13pm | #3

   Leigh has one, but, in my view:

   Luggin' a vac. hose, a power cord, router etc. , not beiing able to see the cut, and keeping control of things is so hazardous that I would concentrate on ways to get this back on the router table.

   (1 sentence!)

    

    

   Routers

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 26, 2009 06:13am | #5

   Hi, Pat.  No doubt about it, I like using the table when possible, but somehow I just don't see it working with a 3' x 3' or bigger piece of plywood.  I'll come up with something that's not too cumbersome, but relatively effective.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   BruceS | Feb 26, 2009 05:50pm | #7

   Sort of related to your problem.   I love a router table !!  So to be able to work on larger pieces,  I built my table top to be  3' X 4'.    The Collet being 12" from the front edge( for "normal" work)  and 24" from the rear edge.   I can flip-flop the fence so I have a 24" working surface with a 48" length.

   Makes doing large pieces much easier and less messy than hand held routering.   The 48" length is always a bonus.  Granted the "beast" takes up some room, but well worth it.Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

2. 
   forestgirl | Feb 26, 2009 07:27pm | #8

   Great arrangement, Bruce.  I'm maxed out on tools, though, shop is crammed (20' x 20').  The Unisaw and the lathe kinda put it over the top.  Even if I had the space, I think I'd have trouble manipulating sheet-goods over a router table.  Long lumberstock would be OK.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   gblitle | Feb 26, 2009 12:19am | #4

   Have you looked into this base with the dust post hose attachment? I use it and it works fine, although a bit akward to control the router with it attached. Beats all the dust however.

   http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=19741&filter=router%20%20dust%20collection

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 26, 2009 06:17am | #6

   I did see that dust port when they first came out with it.  Hose looks kinda big.  Much as anything, I'm kinda liking the base -- it has a bigger opening for the bit than the stock 690 does.  I had to use the plunge router for this rabbet because the 690 didn't have enough room for the rabbeting bit.

   Thanks for the link!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

3. 
   Jammersix | Feb 28, 2009 03:31am | #9

   I bought a kit from Rockler (as much as I hate to admit using a Boutique Tool Supply) that works quite well.

   I should have paid more attention to what it was, but I'm sure of where I got it, and how I got it.

   I just walked in and asked them exactly your question: "do you have anything for dust collection on a PC router?"

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 28, 2009 07:34am | #10

   Is it this one <click>?

   View Image forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   Jammersix | Feb 28, 2009 08:50am | #11

   No, it's this one:http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=19742&filter=dust%20collectionI didn't buy the one in your link because it wouldn't work above the table, off the edge.(Jeez, I didn't say THAT well...)I mean that the one I bought will work above the table or below it, but the one in your link won't.Or something. I haven't tried mine above the table yet, but it should work. It depends on a press fit into the base to hold it in place, and this appears to be the weakest point.I should also say that I don't have it hooked up to a shop vac, as designed, I have it tied into my dust collector, and that change may be why I'm happy with it.

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 28, 2009 10:02pm | #12

   "I have it tied into my dust collector, and that change may be why I'm happy with it."  That makes a huge difference!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)