Dust management in table mounted router

1529 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by JFPNCM, Sep 1, 2020

credmond311

Discussion Starter · Aug 31, 2020

Hi all, I'm about ready to setup my new table mounted router. I built a dust box to mount to the underside of the table. I've got a new Porter Cable 7518 motor and I see there are grates (attached pic showing what I mean) on each side of the motor housing, leaving parts of the inside exposed to dust and such.

I am guessing these grates serve a purpose, but will this opening to the motor cause any eventual issues if used exclusively in an enclosed dust box? Is there any harm in sealing off with tape so dust can't get in, or do these grates help cool the motor or something else? I was going to reach out to Porter Cable to ask but since it's a common router I hear about, I'm wondering how other folks who have this router deal with this.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Chris

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Stick486

· #2 · Aug 31, 2020

credmond311 said:
Hi all, I'm about ready to setup my new table mounted router. I built a dust box to mount to the underside of the table. I've got a new Porter Cable 7518 motor and I see there are grates (attached pic showing what I mean) on each side of the motor housing, leaving parts of the inside exposed to dust and such.

I am guessing these grates serve a purpose, but will this opening to the motor cause any eventual issues if used exclusively in an enclosed dust box? Is there any harm in sealing off with tape so dust can't get in, or do these grates help cool the motor or something else? I was going to reach out to Porter Cable to ask but since it's a common router I hear about, I'm wondering how other folks who have this router deal with this.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Chris

they are air inlets for the motor....
they facilitate cooling for the motor...
(see post #7)...

DUST COLLECTION

There is some, okay, a lot more than a wee bit of information, as in one size does not fit all when it comes to dust collection and your health in this here link...
Beyond a doubt it's a given, you will need it... Besides, who likes to wallow in a mess???...

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Nickp

· #3 · Aug 31, 2020

One of the things you will need is relief air for the box, meaning, replacing all the air that the DC will suck out. You may want to find a way to make it adjustable so that collection will still happen above the table.

Best thing to do is put the hole for relief air on the bottom of the box just below where the router hangs and that will lessen the dust effect. Stick recommends a "snorkel", basically, some flex hose that will direct air for the router directly from a hole below the router.

Those grates are use as inlet air for cooling the router...do not block.

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credmond311

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 1, 2020

Thanks Stick for pointing me in the right direction with further reading.

Thanks Nick for confirming what I already thought, that they shouldn't be blocked. I hadn't thought about relief air, but makes perfect sense.

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Cherryville Chuck

· #5 · Sep 1, 2020

The air gets sucked into those holes and exits at the base of the router meaning they help blow dust and chips away from it. You want to make sure that if the DC doesn't get everything sucked out of that box, and they rarely do, that you don't get dust buildup to where the router can start sucking it into those holes.

All of the routing happens above the table so in my mind that is the best place to try and collect it. At least most of it. Quite a few fences, both home made and factory made, have a DC connection right at the bit.

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Stick486

· #6 · Sep 1, 2020

Cherryville Chuck said:
The air gets sucked into those holes and exits at the base of the router meaning they help blow dust and chips away from it. You want to make sure that if the DC doesn't get everything sucked out of that box, and they rarely do, that you don't get dust buildup to where the router can start sucking it into those holes.

All of the routing happens above the table so in my mind that is the best place to try and collect it. At least most of it. Quite a few fences, both home made and factory made, have a DC connection right at the bit.

a modified more flow above table pickup..

.

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sreilly

· #7 · Sep 1, 2020

I've seen adjustable round covers made for adjusting the air intake into the DC box but a simply slotted cover would work well too. The amount of air in will be dependent on the amount of out so you'll likely need to experiment a bit to get it right. My table door has a plexiglass panel with 4 1" holes that works great and you hear none of the air sucking in yet it keeps the door shut tightly and no saw dust is left inside. The second hose hooks up to the fence and keeps the table mostly clean but really depends on the type of cut being made. Cutting slots is always messier.

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DesertRatTom

· #8 · Sep 1, 2020

You're covered. I like the snorkel idea if the DC box has a closed door, but you'd have to figure out a way to not block the vents or restrict the air flow since the vents are on the sides. The 2.5 inch fence mounted DC hose is a good way to go. Here's a pix. You can order them from any of the woodworking supply stores.

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JFPNCM

· #9 · Sep 1, 2020

I cut slots into the sides of my cabinet and covered them with faux wood heat registers. Good air flow and till cuts down on the noise.

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Dust management in table mounted router

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