New 14" craftsman pro bandsaw query

[drumpriest]

I have one, and really like it. I have found one issue though, and wondered if others with the 12 or 14 are thinking the same way.

The 4" dust port is nearly completely sealed off with a blast sheild that directs the air flow downward. This seems stupid to me. I was thinking of just drilling a bunch of holes in the cast blast plate to improve dust collection.

Anyone else think of this, or have any thoughts? I am leary of doing it prior to experation of the warrentee though.

[ted van halen]

I have the 12" & have considered the same thing. My only thought is if MAYBE the plate that blocks the port may actually be by design & is a benefit instead of a hindrance. I design compression & injection molds by day & some of the counter-intuitive things we do in the rubber molding industry to achieve the desired results are down right silly. Venting, gating & vacuum are the primary culprits & roughly equating the air flow in the BS w/ rubber flow in a mold makes me think there's more to this 4" hole than meets the eye. Perhaps the restictor plate is helping to increase air velocity going thru the port. I further speculate that the turbulence created by the wheel spokes add to the efficiency.

These are just thoughts I have gathered on my own & I can't begin to apply any science to them. Nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Basically this is a worthless post & I should probably be banned from the site.

[gmack5]

Basically this is a worthless post & I should probably be banned from the site.

Oh no you don't!

You're just getting wound up, don't stop now, please.

Here's an Article in which you both might have an interest.
http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/art...collection.htm

[ted van halen]

gmack, that article is interesting & does support the theory of no restrictor plate as he just took an open hose & some bailing wire & went to town. I just wonder why the plate is there if not by design. If for safety, why not just mold grating in the face of the plastic hose adapter. It'd be cheaper than welding a plate into a stamped casting. I dunno. A flow meter test w/ & w/o the plate would tell the tale. Anybody got one lying around? I've not even used mine enough to have an issue yet so until that happens, It's a non-issue for me. Albeit a curious one.

[drumpriest]

Most 14" bandsaws that have a 4" port have some form of grate over it so that any larger offcuts that may happen to fall in don't go through your DC, but the plate seems a bit much.

It appears to be welded into place.

[ted van halen]

As I have not used my saw much at all, my main question would be, does it still keep the saw dust-free to an accepteble level? If so, why bother w/ it? If not, what sort of system are you hooking to it, & is it capable of creating sufficient vacuum across that sort of area? I have no DC system in my shop yet & I'm still rolling everything in & out so untill the DC fairy waves her wand at my house, any kung -fu I get from Guys like you that have BTDT is gravy for me for when I do get set-up. Worst-case, when your warranty is up, drill 'em & if it doesn't help or makes it worse(!) pop rivet a plate over to cover up the holes.

[drumpriest]

ted you are probably telling me what I've already decided to do. I think I'll hold off until the warentee expires this december, and drill some holes. I don't think the dust control on this bandsaw is sufficient. Especially when resawing, there is a great amount of dust in the well, and on the floor. I have a jet canister filter DC hooked up to it on a 14' run. The DC Ys to both the 4" inlet and the 2.5" inlet.