The Beginings of FrankenBase

[Veramacor]

Dr V here,

Vie vill C if vie can brink FrankenBase zu life!

FrankenBase, (based on Phil Thien's FrankenVac dust collection concept) is scheduled for completion come early January.

Central to the whole Mobile Base is what I'm calling an "Air Junction". I'm sure there is a better engineering term for it, so let me know what I should call it.

I made a box of just blast gates to control the flow of air from a DC. The dust collection options for the base are:

* BT3100 - I'm just going with the stock bt dc port size

* Vacuum Hose - 10+ feet of powered vacuum hose stored nicely in the base

* Sanding Station - Masonite pegboard or drilled MDF for a table top not sure yet

* Router Fence - suction option right on fence

* Router Box - suction to the router box


I will be able to control how much suction each tool gets with the blast gates, so in the case of the sanding station, I shouldnt have to worry bout the whole hole/area/suction calculation (I heard you could burn your DC motor out this way)

Anyway, Attached are the pictures for you to view. The torsion box has a standard outlet for power to things like an orbital sander when using the sanding station. I also have a flat switch that can be toe kicked on and off. I did that to control the on/off of the DC. Power to the router for switching on and off is coming thru the torsion box as well.

Please reply with any comments/suggestions. I'm at the point where I actually need the saw to continue the build for critical table and rail measurements.

One question before I go buy - Should I buy some formica for the router table and slap it on MDF or get some Melamine (probably not going to by a fancy woodpecker table just yet)

Thanks for all the information accumulated from this site from the members!

Dr V

[SHADOWFOX]

What an ingenious design!! I am excited to see the finished product.

[siliconbauhaus]

nice idea...maybe call it a plenum....as that is what it appears to be in my eyes...hope it works out for you mate

[lcm1947]

WOW! Neat idea and can't wait to see the finished result. Good luck and keep us posted.

[SARGE..g-47]

Very clever Dr. V.. very clever indeed on your part. Post when finished as I'm sure most would like to see the end result..

Regards...

[cgallery]

Dr V here,

One question before I go buy - Should I buy some formica for the router table and slap it on MDF or get some Melamine (probably not going to by a fancy woodpecker table just yet)

Thanks for all the information accumulated from this site from the members!

Dr V

Love the work, very ingenious on your part. For the router top, I would go right for Formica (and do the top and bottom to keep it stable). I tried the melamine and it just isn't durable enough. Starts to show wear and chipping almost right away.

[dlminehart]

I wonder if this is going to act like a two-stage device, with larger objects dropping off in the plenum. If so, what happens when they've accumulated? Will there be a flip-top to allow clean-out?

[Veramacor]

Re Plenum cleanout:

There is a vacuum port on the bottom of the now called plenum. That hose will be detachable and I will be able to clean out the plenum from the underside. Maybe an inch diameter flexhose should clean it right out.

It may just be a little tornado inside there so it may just clean itself out. I don't see the port getting clogged even when the DC is on, but I wanted access to the inside just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for the suggestion on the table top. I've already took the plunge and getting my 1/4 inch bit sharp for drilling a gazillion holes in the formica!

[Veramacor]

FrankenBase update

Just Tested the 'Tornado Theory'

I have the holes drilled in the formica, and was real curious about dust being collected in the plenum.

I grabbed a handfull of sawdust and placed it in the plenum. I turned the DC on and put the counter top over the plenum - WHOOOSH! 2 seconds and the dust was gone. I lifted the countertop from the plenum and took a peek. There were 2 bits of dust on the vacuum port on the bottom everything else was clean. Thats a relief!

Attached is my grid of 1/4 inch holes for the sanding station - Next stop, router hole!

[final_t]

Whoa! That's gonna be impressive when it's done!

[bigstick509]

Hello Neighbor


I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.