Matt,

I did the same thing you're talking about on my bandsaw….I have a Delta 14", and like you said, the dust collection sucks…I cut a hole in the door just below the knob, and put an adapter on with screws to hook up a 2 1/2" hose connected to my dust collector….Go to my workshop and look at pics #3, and you'll see how I did it…It helped some, but no that much, especially if you're using jigs or other fixtures…..Overall, dust collection an ANY bandsaw sucks… Maybe a 4" would be better…..

 

I use a c-stand for so many things around the studio other than photography. Made a metal adaptor that fits around the 4" dust hose and clamp it in the knuckle of the c-stand. I can position it wherever is needed. Sorry, don't have a photo of this but here is a photo of just a c-stand.

Harry

 

I cut a hole in the bottom door and put on a 4" flange. I also got a small piece of plexiglass that covered the opening where the factory port was located. I can't say it's 100%, but it's a hell of an improvement over the OEM. In the photo you can see the plexi (barely). It wraps around the front of the opening.

 

Fred,
I think that's a better setup than what I did….I have been thinking about redoing mine with a 4".....I'm sure it's better than the 2 1/2" port..

 

Mine has a 4" fitting into the rear wheel area and a 2" right by the lower guides. It does pretty well, but to get any better i would have to have a hose attached to the guide rod right behind the blade. May try it.

 

Bill, That's interesting….How would you attach the hose to the blade guide…? Use a clamp, or some fixture..? I can't see it working w/o interfering with the cutting…. I don't have it pictured in my mind how it would work…

 

Since I enjoy restoring old machinery and trying my best, to a point, to bring them back to their original glory - it breaks my heart every time I see holes cut in those wheel covers :-(

There are some very clever ways to provide dust collection without cutting up the machine if you want to go that route. One such example:

(See here for the whole story)

Delta used to make a 'dust chute' that fit under the table and captured the chips before they could make it to the lower part of the saw, which worked great - and snapped into place in a way that it would not interfere with the guide adjustments or table tilt operation:

Unfortunately, It's no longer available but sometimes shows up on e-bay and similar sites (Part # 426020260003)

Here is another creative method from under the saw between the feet:

(Taken from this thread at OWWM)

Going to the other extreme - here is the turbo version of dust collection that just makes me die a little bit inside every time I see it:

Cheers,
Brad

 

Here is my version for Dust Collection For An Old Bandsaw:

The area around my bandsaw is a lot less dusty now … if I remember to turn on the dust collector .. lol.

I didn't want to alter the original cover … OCD I guess …

However, I do like the TURBO Version above … that's awesome!

 

I gave up on the OEM port and just let the dust fly knowing theres going to be a mess. Some of the pics above have me rethinking that now…..

 

Thanks guys. I'll probably go the Fred Hargis route and put a flange on the bottom door and try to make the rest a little more airtight. I might even get creative and make the side port 3" and run another small hose to the factory dust port.

 

Thanks guys. I ll probably go the Fred Hargis route and put a flange on the bottom door and try to make the rest a little more airtight. I might even get creative and make the side port 3" and run another small hose to the factory dust port.

- CueballRosendaul

I think the second connection might be a good thing if you can pull enough air. Hope it works out for you!

 

I like what Powermatic did, (although I don't own one - yet). They put a 4" connection on the backplate, just under the table and just below the trunnion adjustments. Sort of in line with the cut, but just a bot outside of that.

People seem to think that position works pretty well. I would think anything on the front door, like my Porter Cable, is a PITA, which mine is. I attach a big HD vacuum to mine, and that hose always gets in my way, sometimes pops the door open, etc. Worthless, although it does pick up about 50% of the dust and fines.

 

Lotsa gr8 ideas here. I have a Powermatic 14" and it's about the same, not very good dust collection. I added a 4" Y at the bottom that helped a little bit. I do like the plexiglass idea or something up there around the bearings/cool blocks. I'm sure by closing that area up, dc would be a bit better. Good luck.