Thread: Air blower attachment for scroll saw

A better option is to vacum it up with an old household vac that you can pick up from a yard sale. You end up with little or no sawdust and you don't get to breath in MDF nasties.

I use masking tape to stick soft plastic hose to the vac hose. It can be laid along the arm on most saws, and taped into place. At knock off time, vac the floor and saw all over.

Aquarium air blower, ref.

Most people I have seen that have the Delta setup an aquarium pump as scooter suggested

Having said that, I do think the best option is to rig up some sort of vacuum setup to remove the dust, keeps it out of your eyes & lungs, & off the cut line.

From the day I first rigged up a vac, I've never even seen saw dust anymore. It goes up the tube in too big a hurry to bother me. The cut line is always visible, which is a real plus in scroll sawing.
I also think the aquarium air pumps are supposed to have some resistance or the diaphragm will soon tear. I'm not sure though.

For my vac, I use soft clear pipe so that two pieces can be forced into the vac end. I have also used another method which involves cutting the bottom off of a plastic pill bottle, forcing the two pipe ends into the bottom of the bottle, and then taping them over with masking tape. Then I the vac tube into the bottle opening, taping them up so as to be reasonably air tight. This gives me my air-line branch.

I did this when cutting up "old treated pine pallet boards" for outdoor signs. That stuff is real nasty.

aquarium pumps run non-stop in their intended use for fish tanks, so cant see why there would be tear out in them if you get a decent one.

the vacuum idea I have seen before and its application makes sense, but I cant help but feel the noise of the vacuum would become annoying to me, unless you know of some ultra quiet vacuum out there that would be cheap enough to warrant buying

if you dont want the pump, you could always try the tennis ball under the bottom arm of the delta

I've been using an aquarium pump on my Delta 2 years now... never had a single problem. I do think a vac would be the better option.... but also worry about the noise and if you restrict the intake... wouldn't you eventually blow the motor? Don't know enough about these things....
Did just get a shop vac ( b-day present from Ken)..... it is very strong... but loud..... at least it does suck up all the stuff that doesn't make it into the bag I attached to the saw

Juvy

Originally Posted by oges

...but I cant help but feel the noise of the vacuum would become annoying to me...

With some hose adjustments you can have the vacuum cleaner located 2-3 meters away, after a wall or in a closet. It should be efficient enough to attract dust but with less noise.

small room...... no closet..... that would leave the hallway.... which has huge opening to livingroom/kitchen...... Ken wouldn't be able to hear tv.
Outside would be good for me.... but don't think the neighbours would appreciate it.
Hopefully one day someone will invent a quiet and cheap vac? ....

Juvy

Hi Ref
I have a tennis ball connected to some dripper hose under my Hegner lookalike SS.
The bottom arm supplies the power and it works well for me
Already posted this but it vanished into cyberspace somewhere
Anyhoo, here's a couple of pix





Hope this helps

Regards, Doc

Hiya Doc. Nice to see you here. Another great frugal idea.

spring

Nice setup, Doc. Must see if I can adapt it. Much simpler than my old DIY huffenpuffer which also cracked.

For a Q&D temporary fix, I've just taped a horizontal cardboard flap to the upper arm - operation similar to a punkah-wallah arrangement; about 50% effective.

Welcome aboard, Doc.

Joe

Originally Posted by joe greiner

punkah-wallah

Looks like Desi people have found this forum too

Dust Maker

Originally Posted by Dust Maker

Looks like Desi people have found this forum too

Dust Maker

Closer to you lot than me.

Joe