Replies

1. 
   cutoffcollector | Mar 11, 2004 05:10pm | #1

   ttr,

   I have a Sears 10" RAS and here's how I collect the sawdust. My collector has plywood side panels that are square to the base on the front with the front top of the sides curving down to the back of the base. The panels are just high enough to  clear when the arm when the saw is at it's low position for cross cutting. The length of the base is about 6 ". The bottom is designed to fit behind and up tight to the back edge of the table top and on top of the metal base that supports the top. The tops of the sides are joined to each other by short pieces of wood. The one facing to the front is rectangular and the one facing up is shaped to follow the curve of the side panels. I use 1/8" plywood to cover the back curve, screwing it to the top crosspiece, the curved sides and the base. I initially used thin styrene plastic, but small cutoff pieces caused it to crack.

   The unit is attached to the metal base with two 1/2" super magnets embedded (with cups) flush into the collector base.

   I cut a hole in the left side panel to accept a 2 1/2" adapter for my vacuum hose. I do get some blowback on long cross cuts as the vacuum decreases with distance. The problem is that the saw, when at rest in it's rearmost position prevents the front of the collector from extending past the back of the table.

   Hope this helps.

   Jon

2. 
   DougF | Mar 11, 2004 05:41pm | #2

   ttr,

   I am installing a new DC system and I have been experimenting with RAS hood designs.  The design I have found the most effective is as described in the other post: curving sides, sloping top, with a flat or slightly flattened base.  The dust port should be mounted at the rear or on the bottom, but not on the top.  A top mounted port will cause signifficant amounts of dust to be pulled over the top of the hood.  I use an attachable deflector piece so the dust from 45 degree cuts is directed toward the air flow.  My top and  left side extend to the fence and the top almost touchs the arm when in a 90 degree cross-cut position.   The top has a hinged piece to fold over when cutting at a 45 angle.

   If you are use a DC system, I would recommend a 5" port.  I tried a 4" port and, while satisfactory, the 5" proved significantly better.  A 2.5" shop vac also works very well but I think you will be disappointed if you choke down a DC system to a 2.5" port.

   I modelled this out of wood and I am now building it out of sheetmetal.  Alas, I wish I work metal as easily as working wood.

   Doug

3. 
   tonyb | Mar 12, 2004 01:43am | #3

   TTR,

   Look at what I did, it woks almost 100%. It's the 4th picture.

   http://www.woodintime.com/shop.html

   Tony

4. 
   BDuck11 | Mar 12, 2004 02:54pm | #4

   There's a nicely designed dust-collection port for a radial-arm saw in FWW issue no. 138 on page 16.