James Baker SD
06-04-2013, 9:51 PM
Trying to protect my lungs, I have long wanted to upgrade the dust collection hood on my Performax 44/22 drum sander. I finally got around to starting it this weekend. I had ordered a 6" Nordfab Quick Fit cut-in with a 6" diameter curve to the sheet metal some time ago for this purpose. In case I wanted to restore the machine to its OEM condition, I bought a replacement OEM dust hood from Jet (now selling the same sander) to work on.
First picture shows my pieces. The cut-in, the dust hood with much of the center cut out (this pretty much corresponds to the inside opening of the cut-in, and two end pieces to support the cut-in and seal the air between the plastic hood and the cut-in. I cut the acrylic pieces on a bandsaw after marking the shape of the plastic hood with a profile gauge.
Second picture is the main pieces epoxied together. I used plastic epoxy on the plastic to acrylic joints and metal epoxy on the metal to acrylic joints. I had some metal epoxy left over so I doubly sealed the welds between the metal parts.
Third picture is the painted hood, I tried to get close to the original color. I left the end bare as I am sure the clamp connecting it to the hose would scratch the paint.
Fourth picture is the hood installed on the Performax. I re-installed the catch separately from the opening knob as the angle between the original hood and the cut-in was too great for a single screw to hold both securely.
Fifth picture is just another view, but it shows the acrylic piece filling the space between the cut-in and the OEM hood.
Sixth picture is looking down the throat of the new hood showing how much larger the opening above the drum is. It also shows a brace that I made from the scrap of one of the end pieces as the hood become a little flimsy with the original 4" port removed. This was an after thought so it did not get into the first picture.
All the seams were sealed with silicon as an added protection against leaks.
It will eventually connect to a 5' flex hose dropping down from the ceiling blast gate. I cannot report on how well it works because some stupid person forgot to order a 6" clamp to attach it to the hose. The clamp is on order and I will report back on how well it works when I can try it out.
First picture shows my pieces. The cut-in, the dust hood with much of the center cut out (this pretty much corresponds to the inside opening of the cut-in, and two end pieces to support the cut-in and seal the air between the plastic hood and the cut-in. I cut the acrylic pieces on a bandsaw after marking the shape of the plastic hood with a profile gauge.
Second picture is the main pieces epoxied together. I used plastic epoxy on the plastic to acrylic joints and metal epoxy on the metal to acrylic joints. I had some metal epoxy left over so I doubly sealed the welds between the metal parts.
Third picture is the painted hood, I tried to get close to the original color. I left the end bare as I am sure the clamp connecting it to the hose would scratch the paint.
Fourth picture is the hood installed on the Performax. I re-installed the catch separately from the opening knob as the angle between the original hood and the cut-in was too great for a single screw to hold both securely.
Fifth picture is just another view, but it shows the acrylic piece filling the space between the cut-in and the OEM hood.
Sixth picture is looking down the throat of the new hood showing how much larger the opening above the drum is. It also shows a brace that I made from the scrap of one of the end pieces as the hood become a little flimsy with the original 4" port removed. This was an after thought so it did not get into the first picture.
All the seams were sealed with silicon as an added protection against leaks.
It will eventually connect to a 5' flex hose dropping down from the ceiling blast gate. I cannot report on how well it works because some stupid person forgot to order a 6" clamp to attach it to the hose. The clamp is on order and I will report back on how well it works when I can try it out.