Makita SCMS Dust Collection

[Mike Goetzke]

I have a Makita XSL06PT slider that has two dust ports - at the back of the saw and one in the blade housing. When using a vac these two ports are connected together with fittings/hoses supplied with the saw.

What I never liked is:

1) The port to put the hose on has little length on the OD to attach a hose and you loose a lot of suction area if you adapt the hose for the ID.
2) The "T" to attach the vac hose is at the top by the blade guard. This means the vac hose moves every time you slide the saw. Plus the position of the port put strain on the hose from the get go.

OK -so I see a corded saw (LS1019) in the store with similar dual port design but the "T" where the vac hose connects is at the base of the saw at a stationary location. Ha - right next to the LS1019 is an LS1219 and it has the vac connection at the top like mine!

I thought the re-design was to put the vac connection at the lower stationary location but I called Makita and they tell me the newer designed saws have the vac port at top on the sliding port?!? They couldn't give me a reason. Only thing I could think of is more suction was needed at top?

I looked at the parts difference and I can switch to the lower vac port for about $14 in parts but was wondering if anyone with one of the the Makita SCMS with the vac port on the bottom has had any issues?

Thanks
Mike

 

[ChuckM]

If no one can answer your question here, I wonder if you could use duct tape and some hose to mimic the configuration, and make some cuts to see how it works.

I remember seeing somewhere (here or youtube?) one user comment that the two ports approach worked in theory but not as much in real life because of the bend or something.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

If no one can answer your question here, I wonder if you could use duct tape and some hose to mimic the configuration, and make some cuts to see how it works.

I remember seeing somewhere (here or youtube?) one user comment that the two ports approach worked in theory but not as much in real life because of the bend or something.

Great idea Chuck!

Also, I noticed the Kapex dust port is on top and not at the back so maybe dust collection is best when taken up top.

Mike