Dust collection depends mostly on the dust hood on the machine not on
the DC. If the dust hood is not built properly to handle the amount of
dust the machine puts out or the DC isn't pulling enough air, then a
more powerful DC is thought to be needed. But maybe the dust hood
design can be changed to accommodate the current DC. ie: A shop vac
hooked to a planer will not move the dust fast enough because the shop
vac hose is 2 to 2-1/2' in diameter. This gives a little over 6 sq in
of hose area per inch of hose. Usually this 6+ inches is converted to a
4" line which has a box hood. The 4" line is 12.56 sq in and the box
hood is 16+ square inches. So now you are starting with a good suction
on a small hose and converting it to a large hose. The 16+ sq in is
needed from a DC to make this work or the dust hood needs to be reduced
in size to accommodate a smaller area of suction. This is why Sears
came out with a planer that looks like it has a shop vac wand for the
dust hood accessible from both sides with 4" and shop vac lines.
Dust collection should be at the machine. I have no problem with my
contractor TS, CMS, BS, router, jointer, planer or drum sander putting
out too much dust. And with the quilt filter for my DC, it stops dust
before it can get into the air that might have slipped through the 30
micron DC bags because of it's thickness.
You should always be sure to purchase tools that have a chamber where
the dust is thrown. A TS with a motor on the back has an opening where
the belt has to go through the case to the blade. This opening also
allows dust to escape into the shop, A TS with the motor under the case
will allow the dust to be trapped under the saw and with the right dust
hood, such as mine, it will catch most all the dust and send it to the
DC.
My tools all have a redesigned dust hood to allow the use of a shop vac
hose and a 1 hp DC. They work great together.
A shop vac will work if the dust hood is designed correctly. This is
why you say they do not work is because you are trying to match the
suction needed for the existing hood. Some tools, such as sanders, CMS
and open TS do not have a DC hood and one may have to be designed.
--
Toller wrote
A vacuum simply doesn't draw enough air to be particularly useful.
But, and people will disagree with me on this, a real DC is no cure
either on tools that you cannot completely enclose. It is real good
on jointer, planers, and router tables; but not so good on sanders,
miter saws and contractors TS.
--
Woody
Check out my Web Page at:
http://community-1.webtv.net/Woodwor...workerJoesInfo
Where you will find:
******** How My Shop Works ******** 5-21-03
* * * Build a $20 DC Separator Can Lid. 1-14-03
* * * DC Relay Box Building Plans. 1-14-03
* * * The Bad Air Your Breath Everyday.1-14-03
* * * What is a Real Woodworker? 2-8-03
* * * Murphy's Woodworking Definitions. 2-8-03
* * * Murphy's Woodworking Laws. 4-6-03
* * * What is the true meaning of life? 1-14-03
* * * Woodworker Shop Signs. 2-8-03