Custom Dust Collection Port for Unisaw

[Bob De Clercq]

I just purchased a portable dust collector (Oneida Dust Gorilla) and need to hook it up to an old Delta/Rockwell Unisaw (vintage 1948/1950) that doesn’t have a dust collection port – just the louvered door at the bottom of the saw front. Does anyone have any ideas or pics they can share on how to fabricate a 4” collection port for the saw that doesn’t involve cutting a new hole in the saw cabinet? Thanks.

[Jerome Hanby]

I'm in the same boat, looking forward to seeing good ideas in this thread...

My short list of ideas involves installing some sort of ramp inside the base and building a replacement dust door for the dust collector hose (and since I'm missing that door anyway). If my floor doesn't cleanup acceptably, I may leave it off and build a base for the plinth to sit on top of that has fittings for the dust collector hose.

[Rick Potter]

Well,

1: Replace the door in the front with a home made port, if you think it will not be in your way too much.

2: If you are tall, raise the saw up enough to make a port. It doesn't have to be raised that much. Look at some newer unisaws that have the slot along one side, with a sheet metal adaptor to convert it to a 5" port in the rear of the saw. The slot is only about an inch tall, and the length of the saw. I am 6' tall, and my saw is raised up about 3". I like it. You can probably still get the adaptor from Delta. Google it.

Rick Potter

PS: Note that I said 5" port. That is what my 15 year old Uni came with. For years I had a 4" line going to it, and was unsatisfied with the collection. It is now changed to a 6" line, necked down to 5" at the factory adaptor. Works much better.

[Matt Meiser]

One method is to remove the plinth and the metal floor. Build a new plinth with the port.

I just cut mine. But it does work great. If I ever wanted to return it to original, it would be easy enough to weld in a patch.

[Doug Colombo]

PS: Note that I said 5" port. That is what my 15 year old Uni came with. For years I had a 4" line going to it, and was unsatisfied with the collection. It is now changed to a 6" line, necked down to 5" at the factory adaptor. Works much better.

I have been thinking of running 6" lines to my Unisaw but wasn't sure if it would make a big difference with having to drop down to 5". Today I have 4" main runs and use the 4" adapter. Did you see a big increase in performance ?

[Bob De Clercq]

Thanks all for the ideas. BTW, when I purchased the Oneida Dust Gorilla, Oneida advised that i reduce from the DC 's 6" outlet down to a 5 " flex hose and then reduce to a 4" port at each of my tools. They recommended this because I have a small shop with limited tools and I'll using it only for one tool at a time.

[Rick Potter]

Doug,

Yes, it made a noticeable difference. Sawdust used to accumulate in the bottom of the saw, not now. All my other tools have 4" ports, except my drum sander with a 6" hose necked down to 5" at the machine. Wish I could open up the port on the sander, but it would be a lot of trouble.

Rick P