Need advice on vacuum?

3245 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Mike, Feb 25, 2005

Chipper

Discussion Starter · Feb 14, 2005

After months of looking at all the router tables for sale, and plans I could find. I have finished my table. Kind of a mix of them all. I have the Jessem mount, with the 3 1/2 PC router. I decided to make it so I could use a fence like Norm's or the type used on the Router Workshop. Where I need HELP is the vacuum system. I like the idea of drawing the dust, etc. away from the router, instead of into the box. But I been watching the Router Workshop for years and have never seen more than a quick look at the corner port they have. Does anyone else have a system that works. I'm open for ideas.
Thanks

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dustmaster

· #2 · Feb 14, 2005

I bought the vacuum plates from Oak Park last month. It comes with a little plastic channel that you screw into the bottom of your table and it opens to the exact size of a vacuum hose. I am not that happy with it. I find the channel gets in the way of the router and the fences get in the way of the holes in the plate. It only really works for certain applications.
I built a holder that allows me to clamp my vacuum hose to my table top and can move it to where I need it. Way more efficient than the vacuum plate system.

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Mike

· #3 · Feb 14, 2005

Chipper, Norm's fancy fence is an updated version of the Woodsmith fence that came with their router table supplement. Look at the thread: "To buy or to build" under table mounted routing. You will see the first table I built and on the 2nd page you will see pics of the fence. This does a pretty good job of catching the bulk of the mess. Nothing I have seen gets all of it. The hardware and vacuum port on the fence is sold by Rockler. You can buy the port alone or in a kit with finger boards. I also found a similar vacuum port at a local tool company.

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g-man

· #4 · Feb 23, 2005 (Edited)

Vac attachment?

Forget fancy vac attachments. Do what I did. I use my ShopVac. I bored a 1 1/2 inch hole in the top of my table. The hole is in line with the bit and about 5 inches to the left of the bit. Just make your vac hose fit in the hole. You could also glue a plastic fitting in that would accomodate the hose.My table is 1 1/2 inches thick so this is easy. My router is also bolted to the bottom of the table so I don't need a large plate that may interfere with the hole. Also check my message on the router razier back a few days ago.

g-man

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kp91

· #5 · Feb 23, 2005

I do kinda like you do g-man- I have a gap between the backside of my router table top, and the outfeed table that just fits the small general purpose shop-vac nozzle. By sliding the nozzle along the back of the table until it is inline with the cut I get very good dust collection, ESPECIALLY during dado cuts.

Whatever vacuum you use, I recommend using the disposable bags. I put a bag in my 20 gal shop vac and it makes emptying the thing a whole lot nicer. It also prevents fine dusts from man made materials from clogging up the filters.

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g-man

· #6 · Feb 23, 2005

Vacuum

kp91 said:
I do kinda like you do g-man- I have a gap between the backside of my router table top, and the outfeed table that just fits the small general purpose shop-vac nozzle. By sliding the nozzle along the back of the table until it is inline with the cut I get very good dust collection, ESPECIALLY during dado cuts.

Whatever vacuum you use, I recommend using the disposable bags. I put a bag in my 20 gal shop vac and it makes emptying the thing a whole lot nicer. It also prevents fine dusts from man made materials from clogging up the filters.

Doug, I always use the bags in my ShopVac. Here a 3 bag package is about $5.99 and this way the filter lasts forever. I have a 16 gal Craftsman Vac that I used to use before I bought the ShopVac and I needed to use another Vac to clean out the filter which was a dirty job. I wonder if Sears has gone to dustbags in their new models yet.

g-man

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Mike

· #7 · Feb 24, 2005 (Edited)

Guys, if you would like to save money on your bags check out this link:
http://www.routerforums.com/showpost.php?p=7316&postcount=1
These are top quality bags, both the large blue bag for chip collection and the small white fine particle filter bag. The small white bags will fit over the filter of most Craftsman vac's. Secure it in place with a large rubber band.

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-Sam-

· #8 · Feb 24, 2005

aniceone2hold said:
Guys, if you would like to save money on your bags check out this link:
http://www.routerforums.com/showpost.php?p=7316&postcount=1
These are top quality bags, both the large blue bag for chip collection and the small white fine particle filter bag. The small white bags will fit over the filter of most Craftsman vac's. Secure it in place with a large rubber band.

Mike,

Thanks for the info! 20 bags for $6, that's a great deal. Is there a web site or catalog from the company?

Boricua

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Mike

· #9 · Feb 25, 2005

Bill and Wanda Fox dont have a catalog or web site. They do things low tech. Just call the 800 number and have the make and model of your vac handy.

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