Sawdust collection option

[Rockuf8]

My Makita sliding compound mitre saw throws a lot of dust all over my garage and I'm tired of wiping dust off the floor, walls, bamboo workbench, quartz countertop station, new garage door..etc. Although I don't anticipate using my saw as much as I was when I was renovating my home, I still would like to not worry about dust flying everywhere when I do cut something.

I'm trying to weigh options for what I should use for dust collection. It would exclusively be used for fine dust from my saw.

I don't really want to get a big pricey dust collection system, or make a big bulky homemade dust collector, I prefer something with a small footprint. That's why this Rockler Dust Right® Wall Mount Dust Collector seemed very intriguing.

Has anyone heard of this thing, know someone who has one? If seeing it for the first time, what are your thoughts?

It would fit very nicely to the right of my saw on the other wide of the wall cabinets.

 

[jakemac]

Even with a dust collector, a sliding compound miter will still throw sawdust. I just use a shopvac on my PorterCable one. It gets a lot of the dust, but I still need to clean up when I'm done.

 

[Rockuf8]

Even with a dust collector, a sliding compound miter will still throw sawdust. I just use a shopvac on my PorterCable one. It gets a lot of the dust, but I still need to clean up when I'm done.

So you're saying you just hook up your shop vac your miter saw? Is the vac dedicated to the saw, or do you have to unhook it to use it as a shop vac? You have to turn it on prior to using the saw. I thought the one I was looking at automatically starts and stops when you use the saw, but I could be wrong.

I understand there will still be some sawdust, but the majority of the dust will be sucked up. The small bag on the Makita doesn't work that well.

Thanks

 

[Frank Dukes]

i use a dedicated shop vac for mine and it works ok at best. reviews sound ok on that one, id love to try something like that. someday.

 

[jakemac]

So you're saying you just hook up your shop vac your miter saw? Is the vac dedicated to the saw, or do you have to unhook it to use it as a shop vac? You have to turn it on prior to using the saw. I thought the one I was looking at automatically starts and stops when you use the saw, but I could be wrong.

I understand there will still be some sawdust, but the majority of the dust will be sucked up. The small bag on the Makita doesn't work that well.

Thanks

Remove the bag and hook up the vac hose in it's place. Use an adaptor if needed.
Give it a try on some scrap to see it it will do what you need it to. It will be cheaper to try it out than it will be to buy a dust collector and find you get the same results.

 

[cheechi]

Couple of key factors in this discussion

Miter saws are designed pretty badly for dust collection. Someone with really good dust collection generally would still have more to clean up at their miter station than most other power tools. Someone will probably make noise about Festool Kapex blah blah blah. Ignore it, it's only good by comparison to other miters not actually good. First hand experience.

Most common shop vacs are not really great at dust collection when comparing to the $600+ dust collection units that are sized/shaped like shop vacs, let alone the big ones.

So really, calling a spade a spade, if you are only going to get it for the miter you are only going to see marginal improvement in the cleanup time. You would likely get the benefit of less 'spread' which is your main complaint.

If you are going to get the dust collector I would get one of these mounted on a flex hose with something to adjust it (those desk lamps with the hinge arms, whatever those are called make one of that). Likely this will help as much if not more as anything else you could do but its not going to work well splitting the suction from the shop vac, but the real dust collector could handle it.

 

[beamrider]

Hang an old sheet or tarp or something behind the miter saw. Either that, or build a dust hood for it. You're not going to get it all, but I've found using a sheet behind mine has made a huge difference. The dust hits the sheet and either sticks, or drops straight down.

And as for that wall hang unit from Rockler, a dust collector that ships with a 30 micron bag should not be allowed to be called a dust collector.

 

[Rockuf8]

Seems some of the more recent reviews are not very favorable. Users are mostly complaining of the lack of power it has. Also good point about the 30 micron bag not retaining superfine dust. I guess I will pass and consider some of the excellent ideas you guys have recommended, thanks.


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[bob15]

Have you looked at these guys? i use it all the time....works real well.

http://www.oneida-air.com/category.asp?Id={CC6B6F2A-E3D7-4F18-A53C-B5C357DFE131}

 

[Darby Darrow]

Count me in for using my shop vac with the miter saw. Like others have mentioned it gets some of the saw dust but not all. If you don't want to have to remember to turn the vac on each cut you can get one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ELWUWG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This unit will turn on the vac when you start the saw and turn it off 15 seconds after you finish your cut.

 

[BeaverPuncher]

I just received a clear vue mini cv06 I believe is the model. Works well with the shop vac and is rather inexpensive.

 

[Rockuf8]

Have you looked at these guys? i use it all the time....works real well.

http://www.oneida-air.com/category.asp?Id={CC6B6F2A-E3D7-4F18-A53C-B5C357DFE131}

I like that cyclone seperator, will keep the vac sucking longer with a filter that stays cleaner much longer. Thanks

Count me in for using my shop vac with the miter saw. Like others have mentioned it gets some of the saw dust but not all. If you don't want to have to remember to turn the vac on each cut you can get one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ELWUWG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This unit will turn on the vac when you start the saw and turn it off 15 seconds after you finish your cut.

Thanks, I saw that on a youtube video, seems like it would work well, although some reviews stated malfunctioning.

I just received a clear vue mini cv06 I believe is the model. Works well with the shop vac and is rather inexpensive.

Cool, thanks I'll check it out.

 

[tarbellb]

Watch out, dust collection can become a slippery slope for upgrades.

I think its a excellent system to spend a little bit of money on. I purchased a used Harbor Freight 2hp Item #97869 70lbs bag system from CL. After seperating it from the based that it comes on, I mounted the motor on the wall.

It has been a great unit, lasting years now, doing both wood and metal shavings.

I have everything hooked up to 4" clear expandable tubing. Ive heard that 4" metal galvy is the best for suction though.

Point: Buy the HF 2hp unit, then relocate the pieces where you want them.

 

[PugetDude]

OP: I've got the Rockler Dustright wall mounted dust collector, it does a good job on my benchtop woodworking tools. I mounted it on the wall above my woodworking bench, and have a couple of blast gates to allow me to hook up more than one tool at a time.

I haven't tried it with my sliding compound miter, but I did just buy a Big Gulp dust hood to mount behind the saw to catch the thrown debris. I figure with it and a dedicated 1.25" hose running to the saw bag port I should be able to get the majority of the sawdust.

I also used it extensively during a dusty remodel; ran a 4" hose into the room, clamped it to a ladder up near where we were peeling the fascia off a rock fireplace, left the dust collector outside. It pulled most of the airborne dust out of the room, there was a dramatic difference in air quality after I hooked it up. There was probably 10# of dust in the bag when we finished.

Subscribed for updates.

edit: Looks like Grizzly also offers one:
http://grizzly21-px.rtrk.ca/products/1-HP-Wall-Hanging-Dust-Collector-Polar-Bear-Series/G0710P

 

[the spyder]

I have the oneida cyclone and it works great. However it also takes up valuable space. I decided to replace it with a HF 2hp dust collector (believe I got it onsale for $179) and will be putting it in the loft above our woodworking area. I did purchase a 1 micron bag off amazon for it, for $40. It helped significantly with smaller particles. Ironically, I decided to keep the cyclone and am now using it as a dedicated sander vac system, until I can find a FesTool vac cheaply enough. In my shop, space is becoming more and more limited.

 

[beamrider]

If you;re going to go a floor stand route, a HF 2hp DC, a Wynn canister, and a Thien baffle (google it, easy to build) is hard to beat for the money.

 

[404]

If the vac hose does not fit correctly on the saw use duct tape. If the hose sticks out too far and hits the wall, a long sweep pvc elbow can help.

A piece of thin flexible plastic (like from a milk jug) or a piece of manila folder taped to extend the rear bottom of the blade guard will help pick up more dust, and if the blade hits it no damage.

 

[PugetDude]

If the vac hose does not fit correctly on the saw use duct tape. If the hose sticks out too far and hits the wall, a long sweep pvc elbow can help.

A piece of thin flexible plastic (like from a milk jug) or a piece of manila folder taped to extend the rear bottom of the blade guard will help pick up more dust, and if the blade hits it no damage.

1-1/4" ABS Drain connector works good, too.
Good idea on the shroud.

 

[jakemac]

I have everything hooked up to 4" clear expandable tubing. Ive heard that 4" metal galvy is the best for suction though.

Whether you use galv pipe, PVC, or flex hose remember to tape and seal all joints to prevent air leakage.

 

[Rockuf8]

Thanks for all the great information, you guys rock. I was considering the Makita VC4710 to be used with the Dust Deputy Cyclone separator, or instead of the Makita use the i-Socket Autoswitch with a cheaper, more powerful Ridgid 16 gallon vac. The Makita looks cool though and it would match my saw But having other options is great!

I will look into the HF 2hp DC too and see if I can make my own unit like beamrider recommended.

Pugetdude, that Grizzly wall unit looks sweet too, 537 CFMs? Really?

 

[Rockuf8]

Just looked at the 70 gal. Industrial 5 Micron Dust Collector from HF, that thing is huge. Looks like a great buy for what you get. Not sure about the Thien baffle, or what it does. The Wynn canister looks like a giant pleated filter, what is it's purpose?

 

[todd_fuller]

I think what you're looking for is a hood for your miter saw, something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MFGRT06/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I would highly recommend a cyclonic separator. They'll catch most of the particles so you don't need to clean your shop vac filter much at all. Huge time saver there. I personally have a DustDeputy and it works quite well.

 

[beamrider]

A Thien baffle keeps most of what comes into the system from getting to the filter. The Wynn canister is a 0.5 micron filter, it replaces the typical bag filter on a DC setup.

 

[Rockuf8]

I think what you're looking for is a hood for your miter saw, something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MFGRT06/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I would highly recommend a cyclonic separator. They'll catch most of the particles so you don't need to clean your shop vac filter much at all. Huge time saver there. I personally have a DustDeputy and it works quite well.

I saw that on amazon, but that seems like more of a jobsite canopy, not something for my home shop.

I am def going to get the Dust Deputy separator too.

A Thien baffle keeps most of what comes into the system from getting to the filter. The Wynn canister is a 0.5 micron filter, it replaces the typical bag filter on a DC setup.

That's what I thought. If I used the separator there wouldn't be a need for that. I feel the HF unit is just so big, it may be overkill at this point. It would take me years to fill it up with the limited amount of cutting I will be doing now that my home is mostly done. I plan on painting/refinishing some antique furniture so I could use it when I sand.

 

[RickP]

I feel the HF unit is just so big, it may be overkill at this point. It would take me years to fill it up with the limited amount of cutting I will be doing now that my home is mostly done. I plan on painting/refinishing some antique furniture so I could use it when I sand.

With only that small amount of woodworking, you'll be good to go with just a shop vac and a dust deputy.

Have you thought about using a dust scoop with a floor stand? It looks like it would catch a lot of the chips thrown by the miter saw and could be moved over to the sander pretty easily. Here's the one from Woodcraft:

 

[404]

1-1/4" ABS Drain connector works good, too.
Good idea on the shroud.

Thank you.

Plus the ABS is black so more appropriate for Garage Decor.

 

[FMC1959]

If it is for just a SCM, as mentioned by previous poster, you can't capture all of the saw dust.

The Oneida Dust Deputy I do not have but like the concept of it. The Rockler on your link looks OK, but it isn't cheap. Personally I would go with a 1 to 1 1/2 HP model that are upright and on wheels, see link for an example of which there are literally hundreds to choose from
https://www.grizzly.com/products/1-HP-Dust-Collector/G8027

The chief advantage with these are the CFM, they move much more volume than a shop vac, and on wheels you can roll it around to any other machine you need to use it on, and store it up against a wall when not in use (won't take much more room than the Rockler)

And like another poster mentioned, the whole dust collection thing can become a very slippery slope. I had started to setup my whole shop with dedicated 4" tubing, going down in size to each station but it can become complicated with grounding (static charge build up), keeping CFM up with low restriction tubing; I gave up half way and tore it all down. Now I just wheel my one dust collector around to each machine, not perfect but the best solution overall for me.

 

[FMC1959]

Oh, and on the dust hoods and other similar devices, you can try it, I personally was not satisfied. I first made one from a cardboard box, then bought one that had an articulating arm to move in place around your work.

Bottom line it was a PIA setting it up in the proper position for various cuts and especially with a Shop Vac, there is almost no suction when you have that big opening.

If you want to try before you buy, make one out of a cardboard box, some tubing and duct tape, will give you a good idea of how it will perform for you.

 

[Moose364]

Maybe a stupid question but what the Hell, can you just exhaust to a outer wall and leave the bag completely out of the system. I have a 10' deep ditch that run's beside my shop where I would dump the bag anyway. so I would just as soon go through the wall with the exhaust and blow it out on the ground.
I remember in the school wood shop the big Vac system blew everything outside of the shop into a old covered horse trailer. the Ag class would haul it to the Ag farm for the animals

 

[Rockuf8]

With only that small amount of woodworking, you'll be good to go with just a shop vac and a dust deputy.

Have you thought about using a dust scoop with a floor stand? It looks like it would catch a lot of the chips thrown by the miter saw and could be moved over to the sander pretty easily. Here's the one from Woodcraft:

Another interesting idea I'd rather the dust removal tube be attached directly to the powertool.

If it is for just a SCM, as mentioned by previous poster, you can't capture all of the saw dust.

The Oneida Dust Deputy I do not have but like the concept of it. The Rockler on your link looks OK, but it isn't cheap. Personally I would go with a 1 to 1 1/2 HP model that are upright and on wheels, see link for an example of which there are literally hundreds to choose from
https://www.grizzly.com/products/1-HP-Dust-Collector/G8027

The chief advantage with these are the CFM, they move much more volume than a shop vac, and on wheels you can roll it around to any other machine you need to use it on, and store it up against a wall when not in use (won't take much more room than the Rockler)

And like another poster mentioned, the whole dust collection thing can become a very slippery slope. I had started to setup my whole shop with dedicated 4" tubing, going down in size to each station but it can become complicated with grounding (static charge build up), keeping CFM up with low restriction tubing; I gave up half way and tore it all down. Now I just wheel my one dust collector around to each machine, not perfect but the best solution overall for me.

Hmmm..yeah that may be the way to go. That essentially looks just like the HF version. I'll def be using it for sanding too which I may be doing on and off.

Oh, and on the dust hoods and other similar devices, you can try it, I personally was not satisfied. I first made one from a cardboard box, then bought one that had an articulating arm to move in place around your work.

Bottom line it was a PIA setting it up in the proper position for various cuts and especially with a Shop Vac, there is almost no suction when you have that big opening.

If you want to try before you buy, make one out of a cardboard box, some tubing and duct tape, will give you a good idea of how it will perform for you.

I can see the large opening lacking suction.

Maybe a stupid question but what the Hell, can you just exhaust to a outer wall and leave the bag completely out of the system. I have a 10' deep ditch that run's beside my shop where I would dump the bag anyway. so I would just as soon go through the wall with the exhaust and blow it out on the ground.
I remember in the school wood shop the big Vac system blew everything outside of the shop into a old covered horse trailer. the Ag class would haul it to the Ag farm for the animals

My outside wall would be outside my garage and there is a paver walkway on the two outer facing walls.