Different Dust Collection for router cabinet....

[Bill Huber]

I am replacing my Bosch router table with a new table and I have built the base for the table. The cabinet will have drawers and doors on it when I am finished and I hope it will look nice.
See Jessem gloat.. http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=64822

The old Bosch had a DC port in the back lower area of the cabinet, this work very well because all the chips and dust go under the table when the fence port could not get them.
The problem is that all the dust just fills the router, I think this is why I had to get a new switch form Bosch because of all the dust that was in it.
I looked at a lot of different cabinets and most if not all I looked at had a DC port in the box under the router, this would have given me the same problem.
So I came up with this mod to the cabinet, its not a really high tech thing but I think it will work very well and I will not have the problem of all the dust in the router.
I made an enclosed port that the router lift and motor go though and there is enough clearance around it to let me raise and lower the router. The clean air will come in around the router and the chips and dust will be pulled down from the top, both with exit the DC hose in the back. This should as keep the lift from getting all the dust in the lift screw.
I just used all the scrap I had left from making the cabinet and I also have some dry ease board left form my easel project that I think I will cover the inside of the port with to help with the movement of the dust.

You can see the port is not going down into the main cabinet but about 3 1/2 inches, and pleas don't ask why it is not centered.

P9091773.jpg

With the table on you can see where the dust port is setting.
P9091775.jpg

With out the table on you can see how the clean air will be pulled up around the lift and the motor.
P9091771.jpg

Just looking from under the table.
P9091769.jpg

[glenn bradley]

I like it. I can see this really reducing the dust in the air that the router sucks in if it sucks from the "top". Will there also be an exit port below the plate for the stuff that gets by?

[Brian Weick]

Yes,
That will definitly create more draw - I am definitly thinking of doing the same thing-great idea!
Brian

[Bill Huber]

I like it. I can see this really reducing the dust in the air that the router sucks in if it sucks from the "top". Will there also be an exit port below the plate for the stuff that gets by?

Out put is between the router plate and the floor of the port, so there should be nothing that gets though if the DC is turned on, in my case it is the shop vac.

Does this show it better?

router box.jpg

[Jim Becker]

Interesting. It will be great for you to revisit this after using it for awhile to let us know how it works out.

[Bill Huber]

Interesting. It will be great for you to revisit this after using it for awhile to let us know how it works out.

Jim, I did some testing this afternoon, I cut 1/4 rounds on some scrap MDF. Then I cut them off and cut more 1/4 rounds and so on.

At this point I would say it works very well, there was no dust on the router and very little and I mean very little on the frame of the lift.

I guess time will really tell just how well it works.

[John Lucas]

Bill,
Please do keep us informed. My understanding is that dust wants to go in three directions usually depending on the bit. First, down through the router plate and out as you are finding. 2) out through the fence and 3) out in front of the work. As examples of the 2nd scenario, I find that many raised panel operations will send dust through the fence hole. The key is whether the bit is such that the dust can be sent down. For the raised panel bit itself, most of it is ejected through the fence by the force of the router bit and because, the workpiece is blocking the down direction. An example for the 3rd scenario is when using a straight bit and cutting dados. Here the chips have only one way to go, where the cut has just been made - out in front of the cut...to the left of the table. As far as DC goes, you have the answer for number 1. For the 2nd scenario, a dc port on the fence is in order the 3rd scenario is hardest to handle...usually a quick sweep after the cut is finished is all that can be done, unless you have someone who can hold a vac port in front of the wood you are routing. If your DC is powerful enough, you can set up the 1 and 2 from one good size DC. I use a 1 hp portable DC on wheels behind my router table and switch hose from port to port...not very scientific or sophisticated but workable. I have found that if you ignor the dust and chips that come down through the router plate, the router will have a greater chance of a shortened life. You have witnessed the down draft bring chips and dust down and by the router. Turn your DC off and you may well see that the routers fan will try to swallow the dust. I know people have installed bug screens around the router bit and over the top of the router. I cringe at even saying this. The thought of 22,000 rpm catching the edge of the screen ... arggggggggggg.

[Phil Thien]

Fantastic. I have been using a down-draft box and have experienced problems w/ my motor sucking-in too much dust. Your solution is ideal. Thanks!

[Bill Huber]

Bill,
Please do keep us informed. My understanding is that dust wants to go in three directions usually depending on the bit. First, down through the router plate and out as you are finding. 2) out through the fence and 3) out in front of the work. As examples of the 2nd scenario, I find that many raised panel operations will send dust through the fence hole. The key is whether the bit is such that the dust can be sent down. For the raised panel bit itself, most of it is ejected through the fence by the force of the router bit and because, the workpiece is blocking the down direction. An example for the 3rd scenario is when using a straight bit and cutting dados. Here the chips have only one way to go, where the cut has just been made - out in front of the cut...to the left of the table. As far as DC goes, you have the answer for number 1. For the 2nd scenario, a dc port on the fence is in order the 3rd scenario is hardest to handle...usually a quick sweep after the cut is finished is all that can be done, unless you have someone who can hold a vac port in front of the wood you are routing. If your DC is powerful enough, you can set up the 1 and 2 from one good size DC. I use a 1 hp portable DC on wheels behind my router table and switch hose from port to port...not very scientific or sophisticated but workable. I have found that if you ignor the dust and chips that come down through the router plate, the router will have a greater chance of a shortened life. You have witnessed the down draft bring chips and dust down and by the router. Turn your DC off and you may well see that the routers fan will try to swallow the dust. I know people have installed bug screens around the router bit and over the top of the router. I cringe at even saying this. The thought of 22,000 rpm catching the edge of the screen ... arggggggggggg.

I use a shop vac and 2 gates from it to the router. Depending on what I am routing I will open one gate all the way and the other gate a lesser amount.
With the new cabinet I will still have the DC connected to the fence port and also the under table port and use them the same way I have in the past.

router box2.jpg

[Chris Friesen]

An example for the 3rd scenario is when using a straight bit and cutting dados. Here the chips have only one way to go, where the cut has just been made - out in front of the cut...to the left of the table.

I've seen some router tables where the insert has a hole cut in it such that the debris from dado/groove cuts travels a few inches and then gets sucked down through the insert. I suspect this would work better with the higher suction of a shopvac due to the small path for the air (which is only the size of the groove itself).

[glenn bradley]

Out put is between the router plate and the floor of the port, so there should be nothing that gets though if the DC is turned on, in my case it is the shop vac.

Does this show it better?

router box.jpg

Ah, a picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks!

[Jim O'Dell]

After being prodded by Bill because I didn't grasp his concept I have decided to modify my in progress router table to incorporate his idea on doing it updraft style instead of down draft as I had planned, and how I'd bet most everyone has always done it in the past. But I'm saying dirty words right now Bill! They're aimed at you! I'm having to cut 16" of the table support (3/4" oak veneer ply) with a sawsall blade wrapped in tape and paper towel,..... by hand!! I can't get a power tool in there to cut it. It will take a lot of filing when I'm through. Hopefully the angle grinder will help me there. Still need to go get an HVAC register boot to go on the side of the box.
Thanks for taking the time to PM me when I failed to look close enough at your design.....I think. Jim.

[Jim Kountz]

I built a similar table to the first version of Normies router table years ago when it came out in American Woodworker I think # 44. This was the version before the Rockler one. It has through the fence and down through the bit opening collection and it works great except when the fence is away from the cutter as in cutting a dado . Mine has a removable piece of lexan for a door and I have drilled several 1" holes in it for make up air and to help move the chips that fall down out through the dust port in the back. Decent concept but could be better.

[Bill Huber]

I built a similar table to the first version of Normies router table years ago when it came out in American Woodworker I think # 44. This was the version before the Rockler one. It has through the fence and down through the bit opening collection and it works great except when the fence is away from the cutter as in cutting a dado . Mine has a removable piece of lexan for a door and I have drilled several 1" holes in it for make up air and to help move the chips that fall down out through the dust port in the back. Decent concept but could be better.

But does all the dust that come down there get all over the router and is sucked up into it.
That was the problem I was working on, that dust is what got into the switch and I had to clean it all the time. Now when I used it out of the table it would never give me a problem. Let me put it in the table and it would fill the switch in no time. I do have the new switch now but all that dust can not be good for the motor.

[Jim Kountz]

But does all the dust that come down there get all over the router and is sucked up into it.

An honest guess would be 90% gets pulled away and into the DC but does it all get sucked up? No. I dont know that any system would get all if it. Some still falls on the router motor.