Simple Dust Collector Question

Rocky,

Your question is sure to generate a lot of answers since it's been discussed and cussed by many for such a long time. You can Google it till the cows come home and get lots of answers but the short answer to your question is -

1. Yes it will be of some value but how much depends on a number of factors.

1. Short-cycling should not be a big factor if you purchase a collector that has a decent motor and the wiring (typically 220VAC) is done correctly.

Now I'll let the rest of the group provide the long versions..........

Bob S.

Stick with the shop vac. Add a jointer, stick with the shop vac. If you ever add a planer, then go for a dust collector.

Dust collection is ineffective on miter saws, table saws and spindle sanders. (I use a friends band saw when I need one and he has a shop vac on it. It does a pretty good job; a DC would be better, but not by much.)

DCs are great on jointers, planers, and router tables. You don't have any of them; so it would really be a waste of money. Okay?

I had the same question. I've been researching a DC selection myself but like the other poster pointed out there's abundance of material of past postings for me to find "which" DC, but whether to even use one is a question I hadn't thought of. I do have a planer though, and man does it throw out the shavings. Right now I just take the planer onto the deck to use.

Sorry to go off on a tangent here, but I've noticed that my DC (IIRC, older

Would weather stripping the doors a bit be a good idea? Some sort of enclosure around the lower guides, maybe?

-John

Bob

Cut a 4" circular hole in the door and hook up a 4" dust hose using a toilet flange (4"). It sucks most of the dust up fine. Works a lot better than the little 2" they put in the front.

Tim

Tim... I'm going to do just that on my 14" Ridgid, very soon...

To prevent me from re-inventing the wheel, what/how did you use to cut the 4" hole?

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

It would be hard to beat putting a diaper on your tablesaw. If you have access to a sewing machine or know someone who can sew, you can make one for under $20. I have got to make a new one for my Ridgid TS. I put one on my old craftsman over a year ago and it would great. If you want details on one just let me know.

I put a piece of wood behind the door and drilled some holes then took tin snips and cut my circle. If your careful there will not be to much filing to do.

Tim

I was wondering why put the hole in the door (which is roughly where one stands) as opposed to the back side. Other than difficulty in cutting the hole due to the wheel, why wouldn't this be a good idea?

-John

Not true.