Replies

1. 
   BruceS | Oct 10, 2006 06:28am | #1

   Yes the JessEm base is open,  But very stoutly built of heavy Extruded Alum.  If you want it to be dust collecting you will have to put a shelf on the bottom stringers and enclose the sides and back.  And put doors on the front.  And install a 4" dust port near the bottom shelf but leave some openings near the top for inlet air, a 2 1/2 " hose port works well. 

   Depending on what your going to use the router table for.  In some applications there is vertually no dust or chip collection,  Like when you use a low clearance insert and doing pattern work.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

2. 
   Sawdust9 | Oct 10, 2006 06:51am | #2

   If you are considering a lift in your table you may want to look at the Jessem Mast-R-Lift Excel system ($800). In addition to the dust collection in the Mast-R-Fence, there is an integrated dust port in the lift’s housing. I like the package, but it's a lot more than a table without a lift.  

   
   

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   Edited 10/10/2006 2:08 pm ET by Sawdust9

3. 
   Jfrostjr | Oct 10, 2006 03:54pm | #3

   Woodpeckers has a below-table enclosure with dust collector port. I've had one for three years and it is a dream to use the table and have all dust and chips disappear immediately.

   Frosty

4. 
   Piccioni | Oct 10, 2006 05:32pm | #4

   Sawdust beat me to it.

   One problem with router tables (or, actually, routers) is that the dust falls toward the motor. Remember, routers are designed to be used rightside up, not upside down, and all the dust and chips are falling the 'wrong way' from the router's perspective. The router sucks air from the top or sides, which are usually well away from all the excitement, except when a router table is being used. If you get a good router table router (mui horsepower) you want it to last a long time because they cost a lot of money.

   The Jessem fence sucks the dust from the side and top, while the Jessem Mastr Lift sucks from the side and bottom, both serve to keep the router cleaner by getting the dust away before it gets to the router. I joined the top and bottom ports with a central vac 'Y' fitting, and brought the output of that to the dust collector.

   I also put sides on my Jessem table, but only a little dust escapes the collection.

   Obviously, the power of the dust collector would have something to do with the end result, but I believe its only a 1 1/2" port, so its doesn't have to be a 3HP cyclone.

5. 
   cadiddlehopper | Oct 11, 2006 01:08am | #5

   I doubt that you will ever get all the dust collected. The port in my Bench Dog does a good job on the top, but it depends on how I am routing. My PC router base has a dust port to which another hose connects. It collects pretty well from the bottom. My table is open like the Jessem which allows me to adjust the router height without an expensive height adjustment aid. Hope this helps you make a choice. BTW, to determine a router's power, look at the current draw & forget those inflated HP numbers.

   Cadiddlehopper