Thread: Compound mitre saw dust control

Originally Posted by Rod Gilbert

I am looking for inspiration for dust extraction for my SCMS a 300mm makita it has the dust bag outlet to connect 50mm hose but as we know that does little or nothing for the main dust from the bottom of the blade,so what do you guys do to trap the all invasive dust.
Regards Rod.

Do a search in the dust forum and you will see several solutions.

Here was my effort ...

https://www.woodworkforums.com/p1813649-post106

In hindsight, collection at base of enclosure would be better as gravity works for you rather than against. Am happy with mine though ...

Hi Rod:

I've had several goes at this problem. The first time I built a wooden box around my saw, and had a 150mm port at the right of the saw, and a second 140mm port at the back, behind the saw. I noted that the one up high, to the right of the saw seemed to get a lot of the "choking" dust, that fine dust that we know we're breathing but wish we weren't! But the box did not cater well for when I wanted to make angle cuts.

Then I moved my saw and modified the set up as follows:

1. I now have a 140mm port on the left, and a 150mm port on the right, going back to a 200mm ducting. Pictures below. There is far too much flex for my taste and when I get some more ducting and time, I hope to reduce or eliminate the flex. I would also like to do the bell mouth treatment to reduce turbulence and otherwise improve airflow -- per BobL and co's excellent advice on countless threads here.

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2. Previously, I did not have any kind of barrier across the front of the machine to help "trap" dust and direct it towards the ports. This time I had some spare polycarbonate from another ducting job and so used it on either side of the saw. It certainly doesn't need to be transparent but I think it kind of looks cool.

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3. If I want to do an angle cut, or compound angle cut, I can lift the barriers on either or both sides, to give me space for the cut. I like this system very much because the hinges can go up and down very quickly.

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4. Does this system work? Well, I certainly cannot make much of an answer because I have no testing equipment. However, I can say that it does NOT pick up the big chips and heavy sawdust, and this gathers at the back of the saw box area and has to be cleaned away from time to time. What this setup DOES do is provide a large amount of airflow near the saw cutting operation, and also near the operator's face, which, theoretically, ought to reduce the amount of airborne dust.

5. You may have noted that I still have a vacuum on the saw, with its own little hose. Why? Well, because sometimes I am too lazy to turn on the big dusty, and just want to do one cut. I know, I know, that one cut brings a cloud of dust into my shop -- it's a battle hey? -- but I'm human. I find the vacuum helps me feel better when making that one cut. We all know -- thanks BobL! -- that it doesn't do much, and I hate to admit it but may actually be making things worse because the old vacuum possibly, nay probably leaks!

Good luck mate!

Thank you for the replies I have tried a couple of different methods over the years with different saws with varying results having just moved house hence workshop I am trying to do a better dust collection right from the start this time all ideas gratefully accepted.
Regards Rod.