SawStop Overhead Dust Adapter

[Bugsysiegals]

Has anybody found an adapter for the SawStop overhead dust collector to reliably attach the Festool vac or a 4” dust collector hose to it?  I think I may be able to squeeze the CT36 hose and slip it inside the port but don’t want to damage the hose and perhaps it would be better if I could just adapt my 4” downpipe from the DC.

 

[Birdhunter]

I have the Sawstop Industrial Model wth the overhead dust collector/blade guard. Mine attaches to the main dust collector port through a Sawstop splitter.

If you have a high volume dust collector and the splitter, I don’t understand why you would want to use a shop vac.

 

[ben_r_]

Did up mine like this. Works great. All the adapters were purchased from Rockler. Think you can order them from Peachtree too. Also helps to cut down the hose lengths that come with the Sawstop kit if you have the 36" and not the 52" saw.

 

[Bugsysiegals]

My problem is that I didn't get the free overhead dust arm, just the blade guard with port on the back.  I have the DC drop right above the table with blast gate.  I have 4" flex hose with PVC couplers attached to each end.  If I want to use this hose, I need to somehow adapt it to connect to the blade guard.  Would the hose which attaches to the overhead arm also attach directly to the blade guard?  Perhaps I can order that hose and find a 4" which downsizes to that size??

On the other hand, I have the CT36 Festool Vac and the hose is much smaller and close to the same size as the blade guard.  While I'd prefer not to use this method, it seemed like it would be easier to adapt that hose. 

 

[ben_r_]

My problem is that I didn't get the free overhead dust arm, just the blade guard with port on the back.  I have the DC drop right above the table with blast gate.  I have 4" flex hose with PVC couplers attached to each end.  If I want to use this hose, I need to somehow adapt it to connect to the blade guard.  Would the hose which attaches to the overhead arm also attach directly to the blade guard?  Perhaps I can order that hose and find a 4" which downsizes to that size??

On the other hand, I have the CT36 Festool Vac and the hose is much smaller and close to the same size as the blade guard.  While I'd prefer not to use this method, it seemed like it would be easier to adapt that hose. 

So you have a 4" overhead dust collection tube? I would just use a 4"x4"x2.5" wye from rockler/peachtree, connected to that overhead tube with the 4" inlet going to the back of the Sawstop and the 2.5" inlet being adapted down to the 1.25" outlet on the blade guard via a 2.5" hose to a 1.25" to 2.5" adapter. That just a few bucks in parts and some 4" and 2.5" tubing. Pretty simple and essentially the same thing as my setup which I posted above, just not using the Sawstop overarm collection setup.

 

[Bugsysiegals]

I have a 6” pipe which comes down a wall which turns into 4” and then has a flex hose connected to a 4” wye at the back of the Saw. One port goes to the Saw while the other goes to the router, I’ve the benchdog router table extension at the end of the Saw.

I have another 6” pipe running overhead which splits to 4” just over the top of the Saw. Since this is overhead and wouldn’t interfere with any lumber, I figure this is the best port to use but have no idea what adapters would convert this down and end with a rubberized connector.

 

[Birdhunter]

I find the Overarm Dust Collection that came with my saw works exceedingly well. I get excellent dust collection except when shaving off the side of a board. I’m not sure what the cost would be to add this option to your saw, but it’s well designed and very sturdy. It certainly would simplify your problem.

 

[ChuckM]

+1.

The overarm dust collection and the blade guard cost about $350US. Along with the hydraulic mobile base, they are the most useful accessories for a SawStop.

I was surprised that they brought back the floating overarm tube (a previous set-up I had used for some years) which is more expensive and much harder to use.

 

[ben_r_]

Same here. Couldnt imagine my SawStop without the overarm dust collection. Works amazingly well for me. Though I modified it from day one, so yea I really dont know how well it worked in the stock configuration.

 

[Bugsysiegals]

I should have waited for the free arm but was impatient, bought the Saw, and haven’t even used it in the 2 years I’ve owned it, but am going to finally put it to use.

What’s the benefit of the overhead arm versus connecting the dust collector to the blade guard?

 

[ChuckM]

Without the overhead arm, you will have to hang or hold the vac hose up so the hose doesn't get in the way when you push the stock through.

I can also attach a brush to the end of the hose and use it to clean the tablesaw top (after detaching the hose from the dust blade guard.