Hello Mr. White:

My Delta 50-760 DC unit has a stamped metal “cross-hairs” right in the center of the 5″ intake port. Presumably it is there to keep the curious from reaching their hand up into the spinning impeller, though I suppose there could be some structural function (i.e. to keep the port wall from buckling under the pressure of suction).

The problem is that, frequently, the metal cross provides a convenient spot for long, stringy planer shavings (such as pine) to get caught up and block the intake. This happens even on the slowest planer setting (90 cpi). In my permanently installed system, of course, this forces me to detach the intake duct and de-foul the port.

Based on your considerable experience with various DC units, I am curious if other DC units have a similar cross-hairs.

Have you ever heard of anyone else hitting this problem? Would it be safe to remove the metal cross-hairs or do I risk damage to the intake?

Since my DC unit is permanently installed in a corner of my shop, it is extremely unlikely that I (or anyone else) would put their hand in for any reason. If the metal cross-hairs is there only for safety purposes, I am inclined to remove it.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or input.