Dust Collection on Jet Contractor Saw

[Mac McQuinn]

I'm try to implement additional dust control measures in my garage shop and have a Jet #JWTS-10JF contractor saw in which I've found very difficult to catch dust. Saw is 10 years old and works fine although I'm wondering if a newer/different type of saw might not be more conducive to catching the fines from. I'm not totally against purchasing a new saw as long as there significant dust collection improvements. I'm also at the crossroads of upgrading to a more effective dust collector so if there's a solid combo out there that works well together, I'd like some suggestions.

Thanks,
Mac

[Matt Stiegler]

Contractor saws are a bigger DC challenge. What steps have you taken already?

If you've got money to burn, a new cabinet saw plus a cyclone would improve performance and DC, obviously. So knowing your budget would be important.

[Fred Hargis]

I was able to get most of the dust from my CS, but it takes some doing. At the time my DC was a 2 1/2 HP-12" impeller unit, so I was moving a fair amount of air. But my hookup was one of those 4" plastic jobs that taped to the cabinet bottom...an aftermarket item, since my Delta CS didn't come with a port. Then I covered as much of the opening in back as possible. I cut 2 pieces of hardboard, one for each side, then cut out for the motor brackets/belts. Each piece was held in place with a single sheet metal screw...they had to be removed to tilt the motor. This worked OK, but a better option was when I fully enclosed the motor with a box that was suspended from the outfeed table. The downside of this is the work required to remove the outfeed table, so it's best on a stationary setup. There never was any motor problems in the 3 years or so I used this arrangement, and the guy that bought the saw took the table and the enclosure. There was some sawdust buildup in the saw cabinet, but once it reached a certain level it didn't grow...so I just cleaned it out every once in a while and not worry about it otherwise. None of this helps with the dust coming off the blade however, you'll need an overblade hookup for that.

[JohnT Fitzgerald]

Mac - I'm sure any cabinet saw would have better DC capabilities than your contractor saw - that motor hanging off the back makes it tough. If you want to keep your saw though, there are a few things you could do:
- add panels to the sides to "enclose" the bottom of the saw. there are so many options on how to do that, it's best I leave that to your imagination.
- for the back where the saw motor is - it's tough to "cover" the motor. One suggestion is to build an outfeed table that would serve as a "shroud" to enclose the back of the saw (motor), and connect the DC to that as well as to the base of the saw.

[Mac McQuinn]

Matt,

I've made shields for backside and a dust chute for attachment to Dust Collector. FWW had a great article recently for improving DC on saws. Unfortunately my saw has a bar on back of table to anchor fence which makes it next to impossible to implement some of the improvements.

I've actually thought about going to a portable bench type table saw as most of them seem to have better DC. In addition I recently looked at a Hitachi contractor style saw that had enclosed motor, dust chute and some other neat features, here's a link;
http://www.hitachipowertools.com/store_item.php?iID=250 arrPath=1,12,63,p250

A cabinet saw would be neat although overkill for my needs, pocketbook and garage size. There must be a compromise here. Whatever i buy will need to be portable to some degree.


Mac




Contractor saws are a bigger DC challenge. What steps have you taken already?

If you've got money to burn, a new cabinet saw plus a cyclone would improve performance and DC, obviously. So knowing your budget would be important.

[mickey cassiba]

I too have a contractor's saw. Old style Delta, with the big tray underneath. Since I use it on the porch, DC is not an issue. Just making a little mulch off the side of the porch.
At work I have two Baker 20" horizontal re-saw machines. They have DC ports but used to spew fine dust all over the operators, and anything within 20'. I made a set of vinyl curtains for each side of the frame(kinda like you see at the entrance to a cold room or drive in refrigerator). Difference was immediately noticeable. Of course, the fine stuff still gets out, but not to the point of the operator having to wear filtration devices.
Probably work everywhere except where the belt passes under the machine. might work out for you, might not.
Just thought I'd toss that in.
Mick

[Shannon Seelig]

Hey there,

I have the same Jet contractors saw and I found a pattern to make a plate that covers the back of the saw to help somewhat with the dust collection. I bought the pattern, but have yet had the time to make it so I don't know how it works. If you go to http://www.newwoodworker.com/jetdust.html it will give you the information. If you want, send me your email and I can attach the pdf of the pattern for you to save you a couple of bucks. Its up to you! ;)

Hope that helps!

[Alan Bienlein]

Here's what I did to my ridgid contractors saw and now the dust collection is as good as any cabinet saw for alot less money!

In the first picture I enclosed the back with a piece of metal I cut out by making a cardboard template so I can raise and lower and tilt the blade with out removing it.128671

The second pic shows how I added a piece of 1/4" masonite to enclose the bottm and a 6" elbow to hook up to my dust collection system.
128672

The openings that are left allow just the right amount of makeup air to give me excellent dust collection. No more sweeping up the floor at the end of the day:D.

[Cary Falk]

Mine was a Delta but it is pretty much what everybody else is doing. The pictures aren't the greatest but you will get the idea. I closed up the back using 1/8" hardboard. It is a 2 piece design. Both pieces are slid into place, pushed tight against the top and the bottom of the opening, then locked down with the knobs. It has some on the inside and top that hold it in place once the knobs are secured.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q297/caryincamas/DSC_0312-1.jpg


I closed the bottom with hardboard and plastic DC shroud and added some hose.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q297/caryincamas/DSC_0313-1.jpg


I did some tweaking and by far the best fix was this.









http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q297/caryincamas/DSC_0306a.jpg
:D:D:D:D:D

[Salem Ganzhorn]

I have the same saw. I use a "dustroyer" for blocking up the back of the saw: http://www.dustroyer.com/catalog/testimonials.php

And I have a homemade dust hood for the bottom:
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=14051d69d29591ba9202d4c18935dd1e&prevstart=0
http://photos.ganzhorn.org/album745

Both work pretty good. But I still end up with significant amount of dust from the top of the table. Especially when trimming an edge. To really solve it you need overhead collection too.

[Mac McQuinn]

Thanks guys for all the assistance! Looks like there's plenty of room to make improvements here. Cary, your fix is great, nice saw! Also has anyone checked this saw out?
http://www.hitachipowertools.com/store_item.php?iID=250 arrPath=1,12,63,p250

Looks like Lowe's carries them. Off on a fact finding mission tomorrow;)

Thanks again,

Mac

[Cary Falk]

Mac,
I have seen several people discuss that saw on several forums and it gets so so reviews. I don't see it on the Lowe's website anymore. What is the price? What is your budget? The Ridgid hybrid might be a better choice.
Cary

[Mac McQuinn]

Mac,
I have seen several people discuss that saw on several forums and it gets so so reviews. I don't see it on the Lowe's website anymore. What is the price? What is your budget? The Ridgid hybrid might be a better choice.
Cary


Cary,
Here's a link from Lowes....looks like $579.00 http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=159372-46578-C10FL&lpage=none

I've read some of the reviews, nothing too exciting like you mentioned.

I'll check out the Ridgid unit tomorrow, HD nearby. I might get some DC ideas too for my Jet from looking at various models. I don't mind spending the money along as it meets all my requirements. The Jet has been a great saw except for the DC issues.

Mac