Replies

1. 
   WayneL5 | Sep 06, 2004 01:53am | #1

   Table saws are difficult to collect dust from, because they are designed so poorly for dust collection.  There are lots of openings, and with the blade fairly exposed above the table and the dust so fine it's a challenge.  Dust collection does not work as well as with, say, a jointer or planer.

   To answer your question directly, most of the mail order woodworking supply companies sell dust collection fittings, including adapters to increase or reduce size.  I think your shop vac will work quite well since it's 5 hp, and a typical fixed dust collection system for a shop is 1½ hp.

   If it doesn't work quite as well as you hope it's probably the table saw design and not inadequate draw on the collector, so buying a fixed collector would not help.

1. 
   nohrn | Sep 06, 2004 03:11am | #2

   Thanks for reply.. I'll check into that..

2. 
   nikkiwood | Sep 06, 2004 07:37am | #3

   You should go ahead and try it, but I doubt if you will be satisfied with a shop vac vs. a regular dust collect for this saw (I assume it is a cabinet saw, as opposed to a contractor style saw, right?).

   Before I got a dust collector, I sealed up the saw as best I could, then just scooped the dust out periodically. You might do the same, and rig up your shop vac to pick up the dust as it comes off the blade (where a DC is not very effective anyway).

3. 
   mike4244 | Sep 06, 2004 07:52pm | #4

   Bob, I have the G1023 saw, the 4" dust port is too high off the sloped sheet metal bottom. I cut the hole deeper on the door so it is even with the bottom of the hole in the door. I mounted a 4" dust flange over the hole, this covers the elongated hole I have. Then hooked up the hose.If you want to hook up a vaccumn instead of a dust collector, you still can. Get an adapter from 4" to 3", then take a piece of 2x6 and bore the outside diameter of the hose (2 1/2" ? ). Bandsaw the inside diameter of the port,4" or whatever it measures. You have a donut that fits inside of the port and the outside of the hose. If need be you can tape the doughnut to the hose and adapter.

   By the way , you bought a terrific saw. I have mine 4 years or so with a lot of hours on it. No problems whatsoever.The $500.00 you refer to, are you speaking about a dust collector?You can buy a dust collector, hose and fittings for well under $300.00.I use a 1 1/2hp collector from Penn State.This takes care of any single machine with no problem.

   mike

1. 
   nohrn | Sep 06, 2004 09:36pm | #5

   good point. On hing I did vac out the bin uner and you are correct that the port is not at the bottom.. with wood debris istopped frequently using my shop vac. that is why i was looking for something better.. I know i wont get all of the dust but i don't like cleaning out the collection tray.. will look at some lessor expensive systems..

4. 
   chatobob | Sep 07, 2004 12:11am | #6

   Dust collection on a TS works best with a blade guard in place.  And your fingers will thank you too.

1. 
   nohrn | Sep 07, 2004 12:53am | #7

   you are absolutely correct on the safety issue. Thanks for the info

1. 
   WayneL5 | Sep 07, 2004 03:46am | #8

   It's also a good idea to put a coarse mesh screen over the suction opening.  Something like 1/2" or so hardware cloth.  It keeps slivers and sticks from getting stuck in the hose.

1. 
   nohrn | Sep 07, 2004 03:58pm | #9

   ok thanks

2. 
   IanC | Sep 10, 2004 10:47pm | #13

   Wayne, Great idea!  The mesh would also catch a fumbled arbor nut or blade washer.  Thanks.

   Ian

5. 
   bones | Sep 08, 2004 07:18pm | #10

   Bob, I just purchased the 1023, and I went to wood craft and got the reducer you need. I hooked up a quick disconnect with a small section of 4" hose with the adapter. I plug my sears 5 gal shopvac into it and it works fine.  The dust from the top of the saw was a problem. I looked at the Excalibur over arm setup but the cost is kind of high. I went with the Penn Industries version for $149.00 and it is pretty well made. I received it on Friday, and am in the process of installing.  The shopvac is temporary for me, until I can get the dc extended to the tool.  If id did not have a DC the shopvac would work.  If it still has the sticker on it, I'll post it the part number for you. 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/8/2004 12:23 pm ET by bones

1. 
   nohrn | Sep 10, 2004 02:39am | #11

   thank you for the tip  'll check into ino it.. i have been looking at a Central 2hp d.c... would like input on hat also..

6. 
   Len | Sep 10, 2004 10:09pm | #12

   Bob,

   I had the same problem with my Grizzly. I found a 2-1/2 inch to 4 inch adapter at HD or Lowes. But it was meant to go into a 4" hose not around. It turns out a short piece of 4" yard drainage pipe did the trick. Oh and a little duct tape.

   Enjoy your new saw.

   Hi, I'm Len and I'm a Toolaholic...
1. 
   nohrn | Sep 11, 2004 05:34am | #14

   It must have been Lowes unless all hd's don't carry the same stuff because I have looked in my local hd.. thanks

7. 
   forestgirl | Sep 12, 2004 01:34am | #15

   Go to this page and scroll down about 1/3-of-the-way.  You will see a "4" to 2-1/2" reducer."  I'm stuck with a big vac right now too, and I use it for both my tablesaw and my jointer (works great on the jointer!).  I have a short piece of see-through DC hose attached to the 4" port on the table saw, and on the jointer, with one of those reducers on the outflow side, within easy reach so I can just swap the vac hose from one to the other.

   Was looking in some catalog the other day, maybe Woodcraft, and actually saw Y-fittings and such for 2-1/2" hose.  Cool.

   PS:  On the same web page, there's a "Shop Vac Adapter" -- have no idea what, exactly, that is.  Maybe for the little vacs?

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

8. 
   TomFerreira | Sep 12, 2004 02:31am | #16

   Bob,

   HP is not the issue, it is CFM. A shop vac has low CFM(110 or so) and high static pressure(suction if you will). You did not say what type of saw you had, contractor or cabinet, but the best you can hope for with a shop vac is to prevent the pile from collecting at the bottom of the saw. The fine dust really can't be eliminated with a shop vac. It just doesn't move the volume of air required to get the fine dust. There are some cheaper solutions out there which use bags. These are okay, but unless you buy the more expensive after-market bags, will still leak fine dust. the best are the cyclones which separate the fines and have high tech cartridge filters. Do a google search or a search on this news group and you will find extensive information on the subject. It is definately worth education yourself on the subject rather than relying on less than expert advice. Especially if you are going to spend good money on a new system.

   TDF

1. 
   nohrn | Sep 12, 2004 04:28am | #17

   I have a wall mouned Jet dc. I understand it is supposed to extrac the dust in the air.  I do think I may go with the Central dc on casters.. It;s cfm is 1300, so I see what you are saying. Thanks