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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    10,810

    Default Hammer N4400 dust control (should work on other bandsaws)

    Brian asked me a question on hoses in a PM, and it reminded me that I had put together a decent system for my Hammer N4400 bandsaw. I cannot find the information here, so I am posting it ... first time ... second time?


    I have struggled with dust collection to my bandsaw, a Hammer N4400. The outlet is a 120mm (close to 5") port that is linked by 5" hose 2 hp dust collector via a Super Dust Deputy cyclone. The DC is the next planned upgrade, but it does a decent job of sucking dust (but more power and suction would not go amiss).

    The dust port ...



    My plan was to add a hose near the source of the bandsaw dust, that is, where the cutting takes place at the blade. Not sure how to attach the hose, I did a little research ... and came across a video on YouTube by Rob Cosman. I am not sure if the idea is his, or whether he borrowed it (I did come across another that was made several years ago). Suction in this case would be via a Festool CT26E.

    The idea is very simple. This is the construction of the dust collector ...



    Just a bit of 2" PVC tubing, with an end cap (I planned to lock the end to the bandsaw with a spacer, but this was unnecessary). The tube is sawn half way for the blade (in this case, a 1" Lennox) and opened up a the top (for sawdust).

    Behind the dust collector is the holder. The holder is attached on the Hammer here (red arrows) ...



    This is half the holder attached (with bolts) ..



    This is the other half of the holder, with recesses for the bolt heads. Obviously, the pieces are screwed together.



    This the collector attached ...




    I made up a connection via 2 1/2" hose to a Y-connector and 5" hose into the outlet at the base of the bandsaw ...








    With all dust collection switched off, this is the result after sawing 1500mm of MDF ...





    Now I tried a few variations after this: removing the end cap for increased air flow/ventilation (the cap on was slightly better), and taping up the blade kerfs in the tube (this was slightly better). Essentially, these all resulted in this ...



    Bottom line: I think that the little dust in the corner is a dead spot for cleaning. The system is working so much better than ever before, and now it only needs one switch at the DC to get it going.


    Regards from Perth

    Derek

    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Sutherland Shire, Sydney
    Age
    71
    Posts
    1,301

    Default

    Thankyou for the detailed solution of dust extraction close to the creation of the dust. I have seen this post or a very similar one before, not sure if it was yours or on of Mandj's modifications on his Laguna bandsaw.
    Out of interest, what is the function of the white wire attached to the table in the third photo?. Some sort of earthing for static electricity discharge?

    Happy woodworking,

    Alan...

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Hobart, Tas
    Posts
    1,211

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by derekcohen View Post
    Now I tried a few variations after this: removing the end cap for increased air flow/ventilation (the cap on was slightly better)
    I've also seen Rob Cosman's video, and my thought was that surely it would work better getting maximum airflow past the blade with the cap removed, so was interested to read that you tried it, and it really wasn't better. Another hypothesis down the tube (so to speak ).

    Regardless, that's a great result you've achieved Derek.

    Lance

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    7,696

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by LanceC View Post
    I've also seen Rob Cosman's video, and my thought was that surely it would work better getting maximum airflow past the blade with the cap removed, so was interested to read that you tried it, and it really wasn't better. Another hypothesis down the tube (so to speak ).

    Regardless, that's a great result you've achieved Derek.

    Lance
    The cabinet on mine with no under table additions as Derek has done is very close to dust free. A point a lot of us miss is that a more capable dust extractor nearly always gives different results and sealed cabinets must have an air entry to maximise the flow through the cabinet. Like Derek I saw that idea on Rob Cosman's site and thought it was a good and simple idea for those who have a problem in that area. On my saw (DE via a Clearvue) I have found leaving the door partially open does the trick, I have considered modifying the door as well but not fixing what isn't broken sounds better. The above table dust collect which is needed on every BS when the cut is started is a more problem area requiring a bit of thought to get right and for it not to get in the way.
    CHRIS

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    East Warburton, Vic
    Posts
    1,604

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by derekcohen View Post
    I cannot find the information here, so I am posting it ... first time ... second time?

    Bandsaw dust collection
    Cheers

    DJ

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,757

    Default

    A couple of minor improvements that can could be considered.

    The first one is removing the cross pieces in the port opening. While the look like they would make little difference they rob a surprising amount of air flow.
    Going by visible evidence alone won't always indicates what's going on with the invisible stuff and for adequate extraction of this dust maximum air flow is needed.
    Most BS have a "X" across the opening which makes these even worse than the "Y".




    The second one is reversing the direction of the slot in the throat plate.
    Derek's throat plate is pretty good as it has significant slot behind the band but some BSs don't.
    What happens is that
    a) The uncut wood blocks the section of slot in front of the band and
    b) some sawdust is dragged by the movement of the wood past the band to the table behind the band.
    If the slot is fully open behind the band that provides an opportunity for more sawdust to reach the under table collection point.
    BSthroatplate.jpg

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Perth WA Australia
    Posts
    828

    Default

    I don't use my bandsaw very often and as such it hasn't received the same "improvements" as some of my other machines, as such i've been fairly lazy with dust collection with it as it works ok controlling most of the chips with the two 4" dust ports under the saw but have always been meaning to install some kind of overhead dust extraction port but never really got around to it.

    About a month ago i was working on some large tenons for a workbench i'm currently building and got tired of chips/dust being deposited on table top so got about brain storming on the easiest way to attach a 4" hose for overhead extraction.

    My solution: neodymium magnets. Flexy hose is magnetic and and so is the top door of my bandsaw. This allows me to hang a length of flexy hose over the bandsaw and secured with magnets and let the hose hang just above the blade. I have used a hose clamp to secure it to the blade housing but have found this is only really necessary in certain applications. It works so well that I don't feel it needs any improvement (maybe a bell mouth), obviously don't have any testing equipment to determine how effective it is, but no visible floating dust afterwards

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Drouin Vic.
    Posts
    166

    Default

    Thanks to Bob,Derek and all of the other contributors I have followed the advice and cut a large opening in the lower front door of my Hammer N4400 and after using for several hours cutting a large stack of blackwood I can report it has made a very significant difference in clearing the dust from the cabinet. I now plan to fit a 100mm bell mouth flexi directly above the table to clear the dust from that area.
    Cheers,
    Paintman
    Attached Images Attached Images

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