Homemade Big Gulp dust collector?

[dlminehart]

Anyone made their own version of the Big Gulp dust collection hood? $25 seems a lot to pay for a 12x16 ABS funnel with a 4" connector at the end. I want one that'll pivot with my CMS so that it maximizes dust collection. I was thinking of making it out of a $5 2'x4' sheet of polyethylene or other flexible plastic, cut into about 12x18 pyramid shape, perhaps held together with . . . duct tape? rivets?

Anyone have a good version they'd like to share?

[final_t]

I've seen variations on this in several different woodworking books and magazines, all made out of baltic birch plywood. As for the pivoting bit, why not just use the flexiblity of the hose for that?

[dlminehart]

Re pivoting: I'm referring to whether the hood is attached to the saw base (that stays fixed) or the saw head (that pivots as you do miter cuts). If the hood doesn't pivot with the head, a 45 degree miter would require a hood about 2' wide.

[Scottydont]

Carlos did but I haven't seen him post in awhile. You might search the archives.

[JimD]

David,

My current setup is to run a small flexible tube to the inlet of the CMS or radial arm saw - whichever I'm using - and let what that misses bounce off the wall behind them onto a sloped surface that slopes down to a 4 inch pipe that gets this residue before it builds up too deep. I have to sweep just towards the pickup occasionally - especially when a small offcut obstructs the dust. It works OK.

I picked up a Wood shop issue off the newstand a week or so ago. It has a movable box on a flex-hose to go behind the saw that looks interesting. You might want to look at it for an idea. Their concept is to keep the box fairly small but move it from side to side depending on your miter setting. It seems like a reasonable idea. I wonder if the "big gulp" devices really catch everything - it seems like the suction would get pretty diffused.

Jim

[dlminehart]

Jim, I think you may be right about the big gulp's diffused air intake, and that your idea of letting gravity do a big part of the work is probably best. I'm wondering about some tent-like hood, that funnels down to a 4" intake at the bottom.