Bandsaw Air Pumps

[Bob D.]

Powermatic and some other brands have a blower consisting of an air pump and tubing to direct a flow of air at the cutting zone of the saw with the intent of keeping the cutting area clear of sawdust. I've seen this on scroll saws too.

My question is does this 'feature' provide any worthwhile benefit, enough that I might want to homebrew a version to work on my bandsaw. I've never really had a problem with sawdust accumulating on the workpiece and obstructing the cut line with my Rikon bandsaw. I do get some at times but it's minor. But if I could put something together with little effort and minimal expense (< $25) would it be worth the trouble?

Interested in your opinions and if I go through with this I will be glad to share what and how I did it with everyone.

 

[HarveyWildes]

It sounds odd to me.  Bandsaws carry the dust down below the table where a dust collector should catch it if you have a dust collector hooked up.  I always use a dust collector for air quality and to keep the dust off the wheels.  The minimal dust that stays above the table has never been a problem for me.

For scroll saws it's a different blade action, and the fact that the blade reciprocates means that dust is carried to the top of the workpiece.  Same for jigsaws.

 

[Cheese]

FWIW...An air pump is also incorporated into the Mafell P1 cc jigsaw. It works well in keeping the pencil line visible.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Yeah, some jig saws and circular saws now come with little blowers built in, I’ve noticed.

 

[rst]

I use various sizes of Loc-line for blowing and vacuum functions on my stationary tools.  I use the 2" with their nozzle ends especially on my drill press'.

 

[rvieceli]

As rst says, loc-line is a great resource for putting vacuum or coolant and air streams exactly where you want them. The 2 1/2 inch series fits a standard 2 1/2 inch shop vac hose.

Here's a link to their vac stuff but the whole web site has great stuff.
https://www.loc-line.com/products/212-vacuum/

Also available on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Loc-Line-808...ords=loc-line&qid=1567289948&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Ron

 

[rst]

I also bought Loc-Line pieces from Ebay.  When my granddaughter was four months old I was recuperating from hip replacement.  I had bought a lot of Loc-Line in various sizes for projects and just to experiment with.  As I was able to keep my our new baby girl I made all sorts of mobiles to hang various toys from.  Afterwards I was able disassemble everything to repurpose.  I keep several compartmental parts boxes to keep the pliers and pieces.

 

[Bob D.]

Thanks for all the replies but I don't think any one commented on the Powermatic BS dust blower.

There are not many manufacturers who include this feature on a BS and I have not really seen the
need just curious how well it works.

Can anyone with a PM bandsaw provide some insight.

 

[Birdhunter]

My Powermatic bandsaw has the "air squirter". I think it is largely useless. It does not have enough power to be noticeable.

 

[Bob D.]

My Powermatic bandsaw has the "air squirter". I think it is largely useless. It does not have enough power to be noticeable.

Thanks, I was expecting to hear something like that. I was thinking of making my own but I've never really had a problem with the BS, more when using a scroll saw.

But I believe it would be easy to make one using a small aquarium air pump and some tubing. They are less than $20 and since they are designed for continuous operation should be fine running whenever the saw is turned on. Easy enough to get it powered up just use one of those inexpensive automatic accessory power switches and you're all set.

 

[Birdhunter]

I think a manageable vac pickup on a bandsaw would be better than an air blower that scatters dust around.