LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

A few months back, I built a simple modular 2×4 miter saw station. I finally got around to adding much needed dust collection.

First, I made a dust hood with sliding adjustable doors which makes it easy to open up for mitered cuts, and second, I added a dust cyclone to my shop vac on an automated switch.

I tested the air quality every step of the way to see how effective each of the components was, and what an improvement! Can't believe I waited this long to make this upgrade.

You can watch the build video HERE.

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
6,272 Posts
Very nice miter saw dust collection….Dust collection on these saws is so important, and one should keep the dust "wrangled" as much as possible. I made a chip and dust hood for my slider a year or so ago….and tied the dust collection into my main d.c.. I put doors on the front of mine, also, but wanted to be able to remove them….
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6,114 Posts
Cool idea with the sliding opening part.
So did you put a suction hose on the box also or just the saws output.
Best thoughts,
Mads
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3,229 Posts
When I built mine I too found that blowback was the issue if you've got a shroud around it. I solved the problem by putting heavy curtains in front where you have the sliding plywood. Even if I turn the saw, or tilt it at an angle, it just pushes the curtain out of the say but they still stay close to the saw at any angle. Without a shroud a miter saw is a very messy tool.

Interestingly… When I bring my 10" dewalt someplace to work I simply drape a towel and hang it over the exhaust port. It's better than a collection bag that comes with the saw. All the sawdust hits it and just falls to the floor behind the saw. It's the best solution for a travel saw I've had and I also used it in the shop for some time before I build my shroud around my 12" bosch. It was the cleanest solution at the time.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
0 Posts
The hose is only connected to the saw. The box just traps the rest. I can slide open the doors and clean it out.
Cool idea with the sliding opening part.
So did you put a suction hose on the box also or just the saws output.
Best thoughts,
Mads

- mafe
 

· Registered
Joined
·
142 Posts
Nice build! the sliding doors are genius
 

· Registered
Joined
·
186 Posts
I have a similar Bosch saw. I like the sliding baffles. Great idea.

On my miter saw, my fence has an adjustable upper fence. The adjustment is done via a large knob, which blocks my baffle from sliding. I therefore simply mounted my baffle's using magnets. Easy on, easy off.

So my baffle had too much of a "hole" around the saw (to allow for miter ops). So on my saw to reduce the hole I added over the baffle a plastic sheet and cut horizontal "fingers" into the sheet that easily bend (but are stiff enough to not be bent when the vacuum is on). The fingers cover from top to bottom of the saw, even down to the blade guard. This greatly decreased the "hole" space. The fingers almost touch the saw, but bend out of the way when the saw is turned left or right. Note, the fingers by the blade never come close to the blade in operation. This lets me do miter ops, without the big "hole" that lets to much air freely go by.

As you know, you need air to get by the saw, but you need it to flow fast - to pick up wood dust. If the space around the saw is too much, the air flows, but at a lower speed. The smaller space, around the saw increases the speed of the air, therby picking up and carrying dust into the vacuum. However, too small of a "hole" can reduce the air so much, that dust pickup is reduced too much. So its a balance.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
528 Posts
I like Miter Saw stations.Your looks great and I like the way you incorporated the dust collection and drill press into the station.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
19,753 Posts
Good job DYI. I've been working on my miter saws dust collection and I've looked a quite a few YouTubes about it the sliding door was one of the options offered on youtube and there are a couple of others that look interesting, there's one person is actually using his cop saw in his apartment that seems to be the best out there but I don't think I can make something that sophisticated, I've already invested way too much time and expense changing my Miter station's DC even going to the extreme of buying a different saw. Here are a couple of approaches I've considered: So if others are considering upgrading you miter station DC I've done some of your research for you, The last link seems extremely effective.









https://www.artisticwoodstudio.com/videos
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6 Posts
I have a Dewalt 12" slider and dust collection on it is horrible in the first place, I built something similar to what you have and it picks up the chips that the saw throws straight back but the saw throws and much to the side and back to you. I've have just about quit using it for that reason and use my t/saw sled almost exclusively.
 
Top