Delta Unisaw Dust Collection Improvement

[bugzilla46310]

Got a Delta Unisaw at an auction a few years ago for $60! It did not have a motor cover. I added a dust collector to it but have always been disappointed as without a motor cover, it still blew dust all over. I’ve toyed with motor cover designs, wanting more of a flush panel with a cut out for the motor. My theory was the motor fan would assist in blowing dust into the vac. Made one out of cardboard as a trial and it did work pretty good. But the design of the Unisaw, adjusting the motor renders this type of cover useless. Got around to making a box type cover this week that attaches with a French cleat. Literally takes seconds to put it on and off. But with the cover on, it highlights another design flaw of the Unisaw when it comes to dust collection. The motor fan blows right at the blade and blows excessive dust out along the blade. Much more than with the motor cover off, in my opinion. Looked at putting a duct around the motor and direct the air flow to the dust collector PU, but with 2 capacitors etc, this was a no go. So I fabricated a plate, about 12”x 16” inches blocking the saw blade from the motor fan air. I curved the bottom to direct some of the air flow to the collector (at least in my mind it will!) and also allows 45 degree tilt. It is riveted to the blade chute and bolted to the kick back mount. i cut 2 small slots in it and have a hose clamp holding it to a rod, so there is no deflection. When I cut some wood without the collector you could see dust coming out of the collector connection. When hooked up, virtually 95% of the dust coming out around the blade is eliminated. I do not have a blade guard on my saw. I also thought about removing the fan altogether as I do not think that would negatively affect the motor. Some pictures are attached.

 

[seber]

A zero clearance throat plate will do more than any vacuum system to keep the dust down.

 

[bugzilla46310]

A zero clearance throat plate will do more than any vacuum system to keep the dust down.

Now you tell me!

 

[bugzilla46310]

Had some time yesterday so I made one of those also.

 

[johnre]

Any chance of finding the correct OEM part, used? Or maybe 3D printed?

I've noted that you need to pull negative pressure in the cabinet in order to draw sawdust down away from the leading edge of the blade into the material being cut, it otherwise just stays down in the gullets, circulates with the blade, and can escape out the top of the table on subsequent rotations.

 

[bugzilla46310]

Any chance of finding the correct OEM part, used? Or maybe 3D printed?

I've noted that you need to pull negative pressure in the cabinet in order to draw sawdust down away from the leading edge of the blade into the material being cut, it otherwise just stays down in the gullets, circulates with the blade, and can escape out the top of the table on subsequent rotations.

I have the original throat plates, one for a dado and one for a regular blade.

 

[johnre]

I have the original throat plates, one for a dado and one for a regular blade.

Sorry, I should have specified I was talking about the motor cover. That, more than anything else, is what enables the negative pressure differential. I've noted that if I leave this cover open, e.g. after retrieving a dropped shim when I changed the dado set and leaving the door open, I noted the dust collection action was significantly reduced.

 

[Nutria]

That looks good. I have a Shark Guard with dust collection combined with a zero-clearance insert, so that helps. I also added a floor to the cabinet, so I just periodically scoop and vacuum out the cabinet, which catches a lot of the rest of the dust. Plus I work outside. All of that together seems to work pretty well.