[sreilly]

Welcome Tim. I found this site back a few months ago and can't believe how much I've learned. Asking questions gets you answers or suggestions quickly from those well experienced. I use both a Shopsmith portable DC and installed a CV1800 that works great but was a real job to install if for no other reason it takes 6" pipe and did 99% by myself. I built a noise dampening closet to reduce the noise which works great. The Shopsmith DC is losing power and I need to investigate but I've also taken to selectively use my very old Craftsman wet/dry shop vac. For single tool jobs like using my Festool track saw and my new Leigh Super FMT jig it works wonder with almost no sawdust. The larger stationary tools are connected to the CV1800. The router table has a 4" hose on the fence and another 4" on the cabinet for the compartment that holds the router and lift. It's one dual blast gate that connects to a 6" pipe and is clear acrylic. Either port can be opened/closed.

I have found with the Leigh jig I still get quite of sawdust that hasn't be captured and its very fine. That's when I make sure to use the hanging air cleaner, a Jet AFS-1000B which filters the air very well. Just make sure if you decide to use one of these it needs careful consideration on best placement.

-Steve

 

[sreilly]

1... air flow is restricted...
filters impacted...
trapped particles in the line...
open an end of line gate a little to a lot to test this...

2... what router are you using and do have a dust hood on it???

Thanks Stick I do need to check this over better and haven't yet. I have the Shopsmith manual somewhere in the desk to refer to. It's a simple machine. I had even changed the air filtration bag it uses to filter down to a smaller particle but that should change the suction I wouldn't think. It went from like 5 micron to maybe 2. Also it is only connected to one device at any given time, no blast gates on this. As for the dust collection on the router, my current two hand held models that I use are Bosch 1617EVSPK and the Colt. I do have the Oneida dust attachment as well as Bosch's but I can't use these on the dovetail jig and I haven't done any freehand routing in a while. Been using mostly the router table which barely leaves a trace when the CV1800 is on.

Just need to get organized a bit more, slow down and take things in order. I've got three projects going, two large, and I'm all over the place not to mention needing to be out of town for a few days setting up a new telescope system at a Northern Va College.


Love being retired......

-Steve

 

[sreilly]

1... certainly will..
2... you and me both..

is your piping undersized???
any large step downs in sizing,, say 4 ~ 2''... or even down to 1¼''???

I should have clarified earlier, the Shopsmith DC is a separate mobile unit with 3 ports, two currently capped. So only 1 - 2-1/2" port is being used at any time. It's basically a large shop vac with a large plastic bag to collect the sawdust. Here's a picture of it with the finer mesh bag. And I need to admit to a senior moment. If air can't escape (dirty filter) the no air gets in resulting in less suction. Filter bag is dirty. Time for a tear down and good cleaning.

 

[sreilly]

can you port it for 4"???
have you considered a Wix filter can and adding a separator???

Stick,

This unit has become more of a floor sweeper as I have a central system I installed for almost all of the shop. A ClearView 1800 6" pvc piped system with a 5 HP motor and 16" impeller. I also installed a full can sensor to stop the system when the 30 gallon galvanized trash can gets full. I've even been impressed with the old 1980's Craftsman shop wet/dry vac that I've started using again for things like the Kreg Foreman and the Leigh Mortise and Tenon jig. In fact I just bought a new spare filter the other day for quick change. Loud but effective on the small port tools. I used it for the first time with the Festool track saw and had just a smidgen of sawdust to clean up afterwards. But the main workhorse is the CV1800 and it does a great job. Was a bear to install by myself but worth the money and effort.