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One of my additions for my Hitachi router was a dust collector. This is the first time I have ever had dust collection on any portable router. But......
No it is not a matter of it not working well, the dust and chips get cleaned away but the hose always seems to be in the way or catching as you move along. It is hard enough to make sure the cord is free without having a second "strap" attached to take care of.

Now some of you must be already using this type set up, so what do you do with the hose? I was thinking about getting it up in the air some how but working outside a skyhook seems the only way.

Maybe I should limit the use of it to certain projects... haven't tried to use the router with it on but not hooked up??? It comes off easy enough but at that point it would be easier to swap bases to one with out the pick-up.

Perhaps I just need more time to adjust to working this way??

So lets here some thought on this.

Ed

 

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Ed, does Hitachi make a dust collector, or is yours of your own design?
steveo

It is a Hitachi.

Ed

 

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Hi Ed

The vac. pickup hose on the portable router can be a pain, this is what I did to help with it.
The boss had a old vac. and I took the small hose and used it on my router ,it's about
1 1/4" in dia. and about 4ft. long then made a apt. to use it on my 2 1/2" hose shop vac.
It's works great because of the smaller size hose that I need to drag around with me over my shoulder.
Here's a link to the vac.pickup on my router,the insert is about 1 1/2" deep to hold the hose end in. ( made with MDF stock) not glued in just a press fit.
With that and a remote switch in my pocket for the shop vac. it's a great setup.

http://www.routerforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2485

Ya I know the Lo-Jack plastic card box is a bit cheap on my part but I'm from the old school, reuse if you can if not make one and then at the last buy a new one.

Bj

I was using a 1-1/4" hose as I have one that size and it has an adapter to the 2-1/2" on one end. If I recall they come in a 6' length... I actually have a couple of them to use for sanders and other portable tools that have dust collection. But for some reason when hooked to the router it seems to get in the way a lot more then it does with a sander??? I have and do use the over the neck method for the power cords but I'm not really happy doing that with the hose.

As for as remote controllers, if I would want to do that I would use X10, most of my house is already done that way and it is as easy as plugging in a modual and using one of the remotes I have. What I like better is to use a box that I got from Sears that you plug in to an outlet then plug the router in to the sensing outlet on the box and the shop vac in to one of the switch outlets. Then when you turn on the router the vac starts.... turn off the router the vac stops. Just works better for me.

Ed

 

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Ed I tried the dust Collection with my Bosch when i first got it and after using it on one project it was relished to the case that is in the way.

If I had to do all of my routing indoors I would hook up a swing arm or slidding hanger above my table for the hose and cord on light weight Springs so i would have easy movement of the router. I would also use a large downdraft table the size of my work bench with 3 sides about 2 foot high to keep the dust from leaving the table. But since I am limited to shop space the outdoors, Open work area on or around my work bench will have to do.

You sound like you feel like I do, and maybe that is because I end up working outside most of the time to. One of the problems of having more tools then space I guess. Thanks for you input!

Ed

 

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Ed, a simple boom on a stand with casters and a longer hose sounds like a solution. One home made sky hook deluxe. And for that dragging power cord? I use a portable IV hanger. This is just a 5' tall post mounted on casters with a "U" shaped top. This also works great for air lines, you just put the cord or line in the "U" shape and it keeps it up out of the way. While we are being inventive wouldn't it be great to mount the boom on the post and have it all in one? The base would need to be heavy for stability but it shouldn't be too difficult.

Now if I only knew someone who could get me an IV unit I would be all set... I guess I could bite the bullet and make something like you mentioned. I'll have to think about it. I do have an extra car rim with tire that I could fill with cement.... or go garage sales to look for a used driveway basket ball post????

I do have a portable vac that hangs on your shoulder... like the ones they use to clean up copy machines... I could go self contained but the bag is small so stopping all the time to empty it.......

Hmmmmmmmm

Ed

 

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Lot of good ideas here....... at least I have a few more ideas. I am thinking that maybe a rope to one of the willow branches would be the way to go, they are sprine'ier then other trees and might be able to off set the weight of a hose......

From another source... put in my own words.... maybe it is the hose I have which is a bit stiff as in "cost effective" but springing for a better hose and longer, at least 10 feet might work better. Also taking some velcro strips and putting the hose and cord together might work better.

Thanks for all that have posted!

Ed