DC for router

[thestinker]

OK-
The 2.25 hp bosch router and wookpecker lift are on order, but I am debating on how to handle the dust collection when they get here. I have a 4" sutb out where it will go, and my questions are: 1 should I build a box to inclose the router and put a pan in the bottom as the sole method to catch the dust with the dc. 2- should I split the line and still enclose it but with a line up top connected to the fence somehow. 3-Is there an attachment that would suck up to the underside of the router lift and catch most or all the dust, allowing the router not to be closed in and using the on / off and speed setting on the router.

Also if inclosing the router is the best way to go, how would yall handle the on / off and adjusting the speed of the router the best way. It will have a dedicated pulg under the bench, so I can turn the plug off and on with a switch, I'm just not sure the best way and the most economical way to go about it.

Once again, thanks for all the input, any and all help is greatly appriciated.

Riley

[cgallery]

I only use a downdraft box for my router, but I use a shop vac for collection and I don't know how well a normal DC would handle the small opening around bit bit. The shop vac has little trouble, due to the high static lift. A DC would probably struggle more.

I think if I was using a convention DC I'd run two hoses (fence and downdraft box).

You can't really get away w/o a downdraft box for times when you're working in the middle of a board (where the fence pickup does no good).

[thestinker]

Forgot to add something

The DC i"m using is the 1.5 hp delta with a trashcan seperator. If I split the 4" and do a top and bottom collection, what size hoses should I run to each. I am guessing you would want to go from 1 four inch down to 2 two inch hoses...but I don't know.


Riley

[dbhost]

You can split 1 4 inch into 2 2.5" without suffering loss of performance. I am doing that with my belly pan / blade shroud and it works GREAT....

[LarryG]

I have one 4" hose on the fence, and a second 4" hose on the under-table box. Virtually nothing gets away ... maybe a little off the top when I'm cutting a through-slot out in the middle of a workpiece, but that's all.

Some people, myself included, have experienced dust build-up in the corners of the enclosure box. I added some tapered "ramps" in the corners and this reduced, but did not eliminate, the problem. The new router table I'm designing will have its dust port on the bottom. Gravity is your friend.

[poolhound]

I would go for collecting dust from above and below. My old table had good DC in the fence but nothing below and even when making edge cuts there would still be a lot of dust that fell underneath. With non through cuts it was a total mess. I had intended on boxing it in but ended up building my router into my new TS cabinet.

I created a compartment below the router and have the DC drawing air from one corner and a baffle in the other. I havent done much testing as I havent built my fence yet but it should work pretty well.




You will still need access to adjust the speed (hence the door) but a secondary SW would be a good idea, both for conveinience and safety. There are plenty of after market options to choose from.

[thestinker]

seems like 2 collection sites is the way to go. Also I have 90% of the stuff to run 4" lines so I will start with that and step down to 2.5" if I must. Poolhound great looking box. Yours is finished nicely and is made from quality looking wood. Mine will prabably be scrap pieces of mdf and plywood to save money. I've kinda gone a touch overbuget with the Bosch router, lift from woodpecker, DC fittings and miter slots for the bt3100. I appriciate all the input on the tools and setup. It has saved me so much time and money doing it the wrong way at least a couple of times