For SawStop or tablesaw (with dust blade guard) owners - Dust collection upgrade

[ChuckM]

A simple and econ. ($60 Cdn or so from Best Buy) solution to boast your tablesaw dust collection, if your saw has the dust blade guard:

Hook up a shop vac (mine is 5 gal; 130cfm) directly to the blade guard (via the overarm dust collection for SawStop).

By eye, my tablesaw seems to have 99.5% or more dust collection overall (SawStop claims to have below table 99% dust collection). The main dust collector -- for below table suction -- is 1HP HEPA.

Vid (after upgrade): 

(MDF, notorious for its fine dust, was used in the demo. The table was sprayed with Fluid Film for rust protection, trapping the dust for ease of sighting.)

 

[rst]

I too, use two separate collectors for my tablesaws above and below, and have minimal dust escaping.

 

[butzla]

I'd like to see a video of you ripping with the left side of the blade exposed, i.e., reduce the workpiece by just 1/16" wide.  That's the true test of better dust collection.

 

[ChuckM]

Hi Jim,

I know you are trying to say when half the blade is exposed or when one of the blade guard fins is not on the stock, the dust collection is worse. I can attest to that without trying.

But apples to apples, the true test of "better dust collection" should be based on comparing the same kind of cuts (before an after) using the same kind of material.

80% and probably more of my tablesaw cuts will be cuts as illustrated in the video (i.e. the blade is not exposed on one side and the two fins of the guard are on and in contact with the stock. I, therefore, believe the video is good proof of the improvement.

 

[Bob D.]

Seems to work well but sure jacks the noise level up in the shop running a dust collector and a shop vac.

Guess it doesn't matter at least for me as I wear hearing protection any time I have a power tool running in the shop. Table saw itself is not that noisy but I've already lost enough of my hearing and I don't want to lose any more if I can help it.

 

[ChuckM]

I put this on whenever a power tool is used:http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=53610&cat=1,42207,42227,53610

It is the most comfortable kind of "ear muffs" I have tried.

Anyone looking to buy a large shop vac should take a look at the Ridgid 60 L (16 Gal.) 5 Peak HP Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vacuum on sale at Home Depot ($60 Cdn + tax only). It does not come with any dust bag though (2-pack for $30 Cdn). I have picked up one for my bandsaw/stationary sander, as I got tired of moving my mobile Hepa dust collector around every time I use a bandsaw or sander.