TS55/CT36 not collecting as much dust

[mprzybylski]

Hey everyone,
I use my Ts55 mostly for breaking down sheet goods and the dust collection has been superb on it. Until today, that is. I was cutting down some red oak ply and had it connected to my CT36 (with the Rockler vortex between the two) and it basically stopped collecting dust. I detached the hose from the saw and suction seemed fine, I was able to suck up all the loose dust with no issues and I've used this combo successfully in the past with no issue.

The only difference today was I had to cut two 3/4" sheets glued together (so 1-1/2" thick) and am wondering does the dust collection with the TS55 struggle on those deeper cuts? Or has something happened to my saw that requires servicing? Kind of at a loss here, not sure why it'd fail so badly all of a sudden.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Matt

 

[Nigel]

[welcome] Matt.

You might try taking the blade housing off to see if there's any debris blocking things up.

 

[otis04]

I had a similar issue and found out that the bag was full.  I know this sounds basic but everything works better now

 

[mprzybylski]

Nigel,
Nothing blocking :/

Otis,
It's connected to the Rockler vortex and that's not even 1/10 full. Plus when I take it off the TS and just use the hose by itself it sucks great.

 

[peter halle]

If the CT is running and you try to remove the hose from it does it have resistance to coming out?

 

[mprzybylski]

@Peter: Yes, there is a bit of resistance there, not a GREAT amount but I can definitely feel the difference when pulling the hose out when the CT is on.

 

[Alan m]

welcome to the fog.
i would first check the bag, hoses etc to makesure everything is normal(probably is). then open the side of th esaw and see if there is anything jambed in there. if all that is ok then it must be the blade or the wood. a sharper balde will cut cleaner and faster  allowing the  dc to suck up the dust easier.
it shouldnt make a lot of difference cutting thicker wood but there would be a lot more dust and the hole for makeup air is smaller.
are you using a 36mm hose

 

[mprzybylski]

I'm using the 27mm hose that came with the CT36.  I know the 36mm hose would help but I just don't have the money to plunk down for one at the moment.

I'll double check everything when I'm in the shop next and see if I can find any issues as outlined above by Alan.  The blade should be sharp still as this saw is pretty new and I've probably only broken down 3 big pieces of plywood with it.

Appreciate all the advice.

Lastly, I've been lurking this forum for months now and realize now that this was my first post (the original post that is).  Thanks for the welcomes from everyone, I should have written some type of introduction in the first post

 

[Jaybolishes]

Cutting through thicker wood would produce more dust. Do you cut on a sacrificial surface, that helps a ton.  I know you don't want to get a 36mm hose, but you really have to because its night and day difference.  There are other hoses that will work with your saw and not as expensive.  But my 27 mm hose has sat on the wall ever since I got the 36mm. 

 

[semenza]

Hi,

Welcome to the FOG!

I use the D27 hose on my TS55. I have not had any issues with DC not being up to par on double thick plywood cuts or any thing else actually. With the exception of cuts taking the kerf or less off because there is no wood on one side to contain  the dust.  Sharp or dull blade.  I would bet that something is jammed  in the saw housing at or near the  port. It can be tough to see into that spot.  I have had that type of  jam occur.

Seth

 

[tbellemare]

I have to agree with Seth and others. Based on what I thought I read in your posts, it almost has to be in the black plastic dust port coming out of the blade housing. They can get clogged. If you remove the blade shroud, (I think there's about 5 or 6 T15 Torx screws holding it on), you can remove that angled dust chute and poke around in it to see if it's clear. It sure sounds like that's your problem.

If it doesn't spin fairly freely, that's a sign that it has collected some debris between it and the housing. That's when I start to think about it clogging...

Tom

 

[Nigel]

I agree with Tom and Seth and it's what I was suggesting in my first post. If you haven't taken the casing off then take it off to check the port and inner chamber. It's easy enough to take off .I also reckon your fine with the 27mm on the 55 - I have only ever used the 27mm on the 55 with no problems on all thicknesses.