How to improve dust collection for my Sawstop ICS
I end up with more sawdust on and under the table of my Sawstop Industrial Cabinet Saw than I like, and I suspect the fault is more with my set up than the saw itself. I use a Jet 1.5 HP cannister collector with one of the 4″ inlets devoted to my DeWalt 734 planer and the other running either to my bandsaw or the Sawstop (I swap hoses at the inlet). I use plastic blast gates to shut off the side of the inlet Y that’s not in use. I use a 6 foot run of the flexible 4″ stuff between the dust collector and the saw. I have two ideas for improving matters without replacing the DC: 1) Replace the inlet on the dust collector with a single 6″ inlet and do the reduction to 4″ right at the saw. Anyone know a part number for a suitable alternative? Grubbing around the WMH and Delta sites hasn’t turned anything up. 2) Get a Shark Guard so I can get above-table dust collection. I mostly run with a zero clearance insert so I think this could be a big win. I’ve used Shark Guards on both a Ryobi BT3000 and a Ridgid contractor saw, and like Lee’s work. I especially like the option of a thin guard, since my one difficulty with the Shark in the past was its width and occasional interference with my work. Anyone have good or bad experiences with a Sharked up Sawstop? I’d be glad to hear other ideas as well — maybe get rid of the flex hose and run PVC instead? I think I could make this work without creating a real risk of tripping.
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Read recently that in 2010 Sawstop was going to fit the ICS with a dust collection system similar to the PCS. You may be able to retro-fit your ICS with this system.
I have the PCS and it catches about 98% of the dust running a zero clearance insert and 4" hose to 1.5 HP Delta collector.
Thanks for that info -- I emailed Sawstop and got this back:
...new blade guard with integrated dust collection,(that currently comes standard on the Professional Cabinet Saw) will be available to purchase as an accessory to the Industrial Cabinet Saw in Q1 2010, so within the next 3 months. Use of the new quick-release insert is required to utilize the new blade guard. Pricing has not yet been established.
I have an ICS and also have an Excalibur blade guard. Until a few months ago, I ran everything with the same DC unit you have. Unfortunately, your setup does not have enough CFM to capture all of the chips. To compound the issue, your blast gates may even be reducing your CFM. Here are your options:
· Replace your flex hose with a single 6” hose. I had purchased mine from Oneida. It works really well… but it doesn’t do anything about the dust that remains above your table.
· Run 6” duct to your tool. Flex hose creates a lot more friction than solid duct.
Adding any type of overhead DC will require even more CFM. While it will make a huge improvement in your air-quality, it will not address the dust buildup in the cabinet. In my case, I decided to purchase a cyclone (V-3000). I found that I needed the additional CFM to keep up with the TS and blade-guard. Lastly, be aware that we all still have to clean out the cabinet, from time-to-time.
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