Thread: opinions wanted on router dust collection

It depends whether you just want to collect chips or really come to grips wth the fine dust as well.

Unfortunately when hand held there's no such thing as good all round dust extraction direct from a router - all you can hope to collect are the chips - the fine dust just goes everywhere.
I have tested a few routers connected to very expensive VCs and from ~2m away I could pick up dust levels easily over OHS levels within about 10 seconds of operation.
After a few minutes of operation I had to stop testing because I was in danger of damaging the dust testing equipment.

As well as a VC to collect the chips this the calls for high volume ventilation in the vicinity of the router.
An 6" open Bell Mouth Hood held above the work and running 1200 CFM will do a fair job of keeping fine dust levels down

Even better would be to set up a vented hood or cabinet and do the work inside that.

Thanks Bob,

I am after the fine dust as far as possible.
I am running a modified 2 pony unit and thankfully only need to run 1 metre of solid duct to get to the dust source.So not 1200 cfm but the best I can get out of my current dusty.
I guess in the end it was always going to come down to setting up some kind of vented cabinet to work in.
I have so little room to work in I am trying to avoid any sort of structure that takes up space, but I agree with what you have suggested.
Bastard dust! lol.

I am going to see how the mid size Triton router works with dust collection to a vac. I have found some hose that fits the clear router shroud perfectly.
I have a few other projects to complete first.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Hi DV,

I'd be interested to hear what you think of the Triton when you get round to it.
Just had a look at the 1100 watt version and it's on the list.
Cheers,

I am a total newbie to routers so my opinion doesn't count for much but I am very happy with the features of the Triton router. I made the right purchase decision. Unfortunately the prices have recently shot up.
I got mine during the Masters sale and it has turned out to be a great bargain.
Getting back on topic... the Triton router has a clear wrap around shroud that allows you to screw in 38mm flex directly to it. The concept is to give superior dust collection. Perhaps someone more experienced than me can give a comparison with other routers.
I have set up my shop vac with a cyclone and it promptly crushed the collection bucket. So I need to solve this before I can get back to connecting the router to the cyclone.
Once I sort that out I will post a thread of my set up for your interest.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I have a Makita 3620 with absolutely no dust extraction devices and a Triton MOF001 with the clear shroud and Vac. hose connection as Dave mentioned.

Makita is only used freehand and it makes one hell of a mess. I can lessen the mess by attaching an open extraction pipe with some cable ties but it's awkward and mostly ineffective, especially on long runs for rebates or routing edges.

The Triton, when free handing and when the whole open centre of the base is on the work, is great. Very little escapes but I'm sure there is fine dust that gets out so I wear a respirator. The main problem is the plastic shroud distorts the view of the router bit and I have, on occasion where I need to accurately see where the bit is, removed the side of the shroud between me and the bit. The collection is still excellent provided the whole of the open centre of the base of the router is on the job. Where there problem with extraction occurs is when you are routing free hand and router is not totally on the job such as when outer edge template routing, routing an edge profile, rebating etc. The amount that is ejected underneath the router is considerable so I bought a chip chute that fits to the bottom of the base plate and I connect two vacuum hoses. The difference is amazing.

Originally Posted by Lappa

I have a Makita 3620 with absolutely no dust extraction devices and a Triton MOF001 wither the clear shroud and Vac. Hose connection as Dave mentioned.

Makita is only used freehand and it makes one hell of a mess. I can lessen the mess by attaching an open extraction pipe with some cable ties but it's awkward and mostly ineffective, especially on long runs for rebates or routing edges.

The Triton, when free handing and when the whole open centre of the base is on the work, is great. Very little escapes but I'm sure there is fine dust that gets out so I wear a respirator. The main problem is the plastic shroud distorts the view of the router bit and I have, on occasion where I need to accurately see where the bit is, removed the side of the shroud between me and the bit. The collection is still excellent provided the whole of the open centre of the base of the router is on the job. Where there problem with extraction occurs is when you are routing free hand and router is not totally on the job such as when outer edge template routing, routing an edge profile, rebating etc. The amount that is ejected underneath the router is considerable so I bought a chip chute that fits to the bottom of the base plate and I connect two vacuum hoses. The difference is amazing.

Any chance of a photo of your chip collector and double hoses?
Where did you get it?

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I have the Festool OF 1400 and the chip extraction is very very good. But as to your concern, to have that great of extraction it does limit visibility quite a bit. But in saying that I really love the accurate repeatability it has.


good luck

The router is in the table at the moment. Will shoot some photos later. Here's a link to a post on this forum re the chute.

Triton chip chute

theres also a photo, Image E, in the online instruction manual for the TRA001 router

That's good news for me re the Triton Lappa, most of the freehand work I do on guitar bodies has the bit/base supported all the way round.I usually do edge routing in the table.
@ DaveVman, I did the same thing with a $20 bucket, then lashed out and bought the Oineda bucket from Carbatec.

Originally Posted by mase

@ DaveVman, I did the same thing with a $20 bucket, then lashed out and bought the Oineda bucket from Carbatec.

Thanks for the tip.
I'm going to try and get a container from bushmiller.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk