Replies

1. 
   Scag_man | Jan 06, 2010 11:28pm | #1

   You're correct, the hole on
   You're correct, the hole on the blade shroud doesn't do much, so I just plugged it. The vast majority of the dust comes off the blade teeth and shoots straight back. I built a deep box directly behind the RAS with dust collection hole directly in the path of the dust and I get get almost all of it. Build the box narrow and deep such that the saw head retracts into it like a groundhog backing into his hole. The box comes all the way up to the back of the fence and is only big enough for the moter to fit through.

   Also, keep the fence low and the slit in the fence (where the blade passed through) about 2-3 times the kerf thickness to allow the dust to go through it even when the blade pulled past the fence a few inches. This way the dust doesn't have anywhere to go but the port. I'd show a picture of mine, but don't see how to do it in the new Knots format.

1. 
   remodlrj | Jan 06, 2010 11:47pm | #2

   So instead of having a wider area to catch stray dust particles , you keep a narrow box to concentrate the draw?

   How do you deal with miter cuts?

1. 
   Scag_man | Jan 07, 2010 02:32pm | #3

   Exactly right...try to reduce the size of the opening to get good airflow and draw. I built a bigger box the first time and this failed because the dust just went everywhere. Concentrated and controlled Airflow is the key.

   For miter cuts, I use my miter saw :-)

   I used to use the RAS for miters, but I got frustrated by inaccuracy, inability to get good dust collection, and going through too many fences. So, I got a cheap miter saw and it does a great job. Or, use the table saw.

   If I did have to build a dust collection for the RAS that had to miter too, I'd rig it such that the box was bolted to the arm itself so that it moved with the rotation of the saw and was connected to the dust collector with a flexible hose. Should work almost as well.

2. 
   CHRISWALL | Jan 07, 2010 09:33pm | #4

   I have a SearS RAS that came with a dust hood. I tapped the 4" duct work right into the hood and use a shop vac ( with a cyclone separator) on the hose outlet. Together the two do a fair job.

1. 
   remodlrj | Jan 08, 2010 06:21pm | #5

   It's to bad the format
   It's to bad the format doesn't lend itself to pictures so easily, that's what I would like to see to give me a better idea of how to go about it.

1. 
   Scag_man | Jan 09, 2010 08:34pm | #6

   Agree. If you post an email address, I'll email you a pic

2. 
   Scag_man | Jan 09, 2010 08:47pm | #7

   Nevermind the email address. I found I could post a pic with a new message instead of using reply. So, I posted a new message with the pic under the same subject line.

3. 
   HowardAcheson | Jan 10, 2010 10:39am | #8

   Let me add that the dust collection port mounted on the blade guard is primarily most effective when ripping. The setup for ripping requires the blade guard to be rotated or tipped so that the guard edge is between an 1/8" - 1/4" above the board as the board exits the blade. In this position, much of the dust is discharged toward the port. Connecting your dust collection to the guard port will collect a good amount of the sawdust when ripping. This setup also minimizes kick back caused by the board lifting as it is being cut.