Replies

1. 
   Mike_Taylor1 | Mar 12, 2002 08:21pm | #1

   *
   Jeffery -

   I embedded my router into one end of the top of my rolling 4'x8' workbench. Underneath I enclosed it with a 12x12x12 box and have my 4" DC line connected into the box. The plate is 1/4" aluminum with a 2" hole cut in the center. This large volume of air grabs all the dust and 99% of the larger chips. I lift the plate and router up out of the recessed hole to change the bits.

   Also, in the bottom center of the box, I cut a 2" hole directly under the router. I glued a piece of closed cell foam around the hole such that the bottom (top?) of the router (Porter Cable) fits snugly inside the foam when in place. This increases the air flow through the windings of the router which prevents dust from entering the motor and also help keep it cool. I did this cause I do lots of rosewood pieces and am allergic to the dust.

1. 
   Jeff_Chapman | Mar 12, 2002 09:09pm | #2

   *I think you do want the option of collecting dust above the table at the bit as well as underneath as Mike suggests. In my experience, some bits send the dust and shavings up away from the bit and some send them down toward the router. I have a dust port mounted to my fence and this works quite well with most bits. But my horizontal panel raising bit, for instance, sends everything straight down. After running a few panels through, I'm practically wading in shavings. The zero clearance auxillary fences I sometimes use also seem to inhibit the dust from getting through to the dust port on the fence. And if the bit is entirely buried in the work, such as if you are routing a dado, then the dust has no place to go but down. Combine a port on the fence with a system like Mike describes (as I hope to do soon) and you should be in good shape.

1. 
   Mike_Taylor1 | Mar 12, 2002 11:33pm | #3

   *A lot more dust and chips would escape my setup were I not using a 1200 CFM dust collector. I mainly only use one type bit, plus I have a guide, and that causes most chips to be deflected downward.I also take the plate and router out of the hole and use that space to catch dust when sanding. Most of my pieces are hand held, so I just hold them over the hole while I sand them. I call it my "Gravity Well". You see a small stream of dust spiraling in like with a black hole. I also have a box that I can lay over the hole that has 1/8" pegboard on top for sanding flat stuff.

1. 
   John_O'Connell | Mar 13, 2002 10:15pm | #4

   *Both.

1. 
   Ed_Okie | Mar 15, 2002 03:59pm | #5

   *In most instances the above table dust-collection port will gather most/more cutting waste, but as already noted by others - it depends on the type of bit used.I've got both, a 2 1/2" collection port above the table touching the fence, a 4" hose below (previously an unused 5" line coming to that point, now split with the two hoses). But still a token amount of chips get missed.I'd suggest making above-table as your first priority, adding one below if available or practical. Anything is better than nothing, and routers are a major source of dust and chips. Whatever dust collection method applied, the effort is well-worth the results.