Thread: Improving the dust extraction on a generic drum sander?

I don't have one of these sanders but I know the problem.

I assume you mean this one?
https://www.carbatec.com.au/sanding-...-single-carton

A 65 mm dust port attached to say a 2HP DC (no cyclone) will have a flow rate of approx 120 CFM which is about the same as a vacuum cleaner.
This is woefully inadequate.

I would removed the top and throw it away and remake a completely new top which extends over the side of the existing housing so that it can collect more air and use a 150 mm dust port.

Connected to a 3 or more HP DC it should be able to collect every bit of dust coming off such a small width sander.

If the sander was wider than this (16") - I would recommend using 3 x 100 mm ducts spread across the top, one at each end and one in the middle.

Its hard to believe the manufacturers haven't got the message on this.
150 mm dust ports should be standard on machinery - its dead easy to step down but short of rebuilding the collection hoods or getting out the angle grinder stepping up is hard work.

My sheet metal worker mate is intending to build a long rectangular intake fixed with a 150mm round connection point. That avoids having to use say 3 x 100mm ports and should be much better. I'll send some pics when I see the results on my 600mm Carbatec drum sander and CT bandsaw and two of my table saws.

Originally Posted by Jeff Leslie

My sheet metal worker mate is intending to build a long rectangular intake fixed with a 150mm round connection point. That avoids having to use say 3 x 100mm ports and should be much better. I'll send some pics when I see the results on my 600mm Carbatec drum sander and CT bandsaw and two of my table saws.

While it is more work, for 600 mm or more I would recommend using 3 x 100 mm ducts with one of these over each end of the drum and one in the middle.
When a long rectangular duct is used the outer edges will have reduced flow compared to the middle so they won't capture as much dust as the middle

Think of it like the opposite to trying to water a long narrow garden bed by dumping a given amount of water in the middle, versus the same amount delivered by showers all the way along the line of the bed.

The important thing is to remake the whole hood to allow for more clearance between the drum and the hood so that enough air can enter the hood.

Sorry Bob,

I probably didn't explain myself well enough. For my 600mm twin drum sander I intend to replace the 2 x 100mm ports with 2 x 150mm ports run direct to a 200mm wye back to the big Clearvue. I may be wrong but that should be better than 3 x 100mm ports.

The reference to a rectangular port was only for my BS for strength as otherwise I couldn't easily get to a 150mm port attached. Make sense?

Originally Posted by Jeff Leslie

Make sense?

Yep!