Thread: Router dust hood and router lift combo

Hi SP

My thoughts were similar to yours. My newly-built router table has a combination of dust collection via the fence in the usual way ...




.... along with from below the table.

Originally, I was going to use the Milescraft set up, and in fact purchased it from Timbecon. Then I discovered that I could hook up a similar set up to my old Elu 177e ...




.... using the dust control from the Dewalt DW625 (slightly modified) ...



This uses the Festool Twin Hose to do the same thing as the Milescraft ..



This hooks up to a Festool CT|26e vacuum cleaner.

Having done all this, I have not yet had a reason to fire up the router table.

The Milescraft kit I have is available for about half price if you want it cheaper (the box was opened and it was installed, but it was not used).

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Hi SP

My thoughts were similar to yours. My newly-built router table has a combination of dust collection via the fence in the usual way ...




.... along with from below the table.

Originally, I was going to use the Milescraft set up, and in fact purchased it from Timbecon. Then I discovered that I could hook up a similar set up to my old Elu 177e ...




.... using the dust control from the Dewalt DW625 (slightly modified) ...



This uses the Festool Twin Hose to do the same thing as the Milescraft ..



This hooks up to a Festool CT|26e vacuum cleaner.

Having done all this, I have not yet had a reason to fire up the router table.

The Milescraft kit I have is available for about half price if you want it cheaper (the box was opened and it was installed, but it was not used).

Regards from Perth

Derek

Ah yes, I remember your set up, it's great! And then you used some other product that helped you change bits from above the table, right? is that because the Dewalt dust hood prevented the router from moving all the way up? And are you happy with the dust extraction you're getting overall?

I'm very tempted to try the Milescraft kit, I'm not sure I'll use the twin hose (unless it offers some option to block one of the two hoses and direct suction only underneath when doing dadoes), I am mostly interested in the red part. Do you think I could use it on its own and connect it directly to a shop vac?

Spyro, the truth is that I cannot (yet) say it all works well - just not had a reason to use the router table.

As to your question about using a single hose underneath, I do not see why this would not work - however, I think that better dust control needs to have a port above the table as well.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Spyro
Regarding the Bosch unit you showed with the adjuster - have you enquired whether you adjust the GKF1600CE base the same way? I know it’s just a fixed base for the GOF1600CE but it looks similar.
Also, can it be table mounted?

Originally Posted by Lappa

Spyro
Regarding the Bosch unit you showed with the adjuster - have you enquired whether you adjust the GKF1600CE base the same way? I know it’s just a fixed base for the GOF1600CE but it looks similar.
Also, can it be table mounted?

No, generally I avoid inquiring, it's a very risky thing to do because then I get angry when people don't even know the product they're selling
But you are right, it does look similar and there are a couple of videos on youtube from people who actually use this thing, so I'm about to watch those. Thanks for the tip!

Originally Posted by Lappa

Spyro
Regarding the Bosch unit you showed with the adjuster - have you enquired whether you adjust the GKF1600CE base the same way? I know it’s just a fixed base for the GOF1600CE but it looks similar.
Also, can it be table mounted?

Ok it was worth viewing a few youtubes, thanks again for the tip. But the router is probably not the one.

The thing is with this router, it has those low voltage contacts on the body to connect to the base and trigger it from the handles on the base. And because of that when used under the table you absolutely need to use the fixed base to be able to lock the trigger, which means any 3rd party router lift is out.

Now the provided fixed router base is fine in theory because it comes with a T-wrench that allows you to lift it from above the table. But before you do that you need to reach every time under the table and unlock something, and when you do that the height adjustment knob (which looks big and comfortable) is right there next to your fingers, so a few people reported that since they're under there anyway they end up adjusting the height from there instead of going back up top and fiddling with the wrench. Which defeats the purpose. Also the router doesn't seem to travel high enough above the table to change bits from there, every video I've watched everybody takes it out of the table to change bits. And taking it out is a 3-step process because for whatever reason the router fixed base actually has 3 safety locks that need to be undone in sequence. And you have to do it blind, because you want the variable speed button to be facing out so you can access it, but all the locks are on the opposite side. And lastly, the trigger has a 1 sec delay as part of their soft start implementation which I know would annoy me.

It does seem like a great router though, especially for people who want to use it predominantly free hand (it comes with what looks like an awesome fence and a selection of dust hoods for different circumstances), and then also use it under the table somewhat with the fixed base. But as a dedicated table router I can see why people opt for the older/simpler 1617EVS.

And the more I watch I haven't seen anyone using extraction with a dust hood under the table, everybody either uses the fence or a dust box + DC. Which is a worry, there must be a reason.

I've got the milescraft dust router set up with my triton router.
Works a treat. I'd say their 90% extraction is pretty close.
Just got to remember to turn on the vac.
Was reasonably easy to fit.
Lyle

Originally Posted by Lyle

I've got the milescraft dust router set up with my triton router.
Works a treat. I'd say their 90% extraction is pretty close.
Just got to remember to turn on the vac.
Was reasonably easy to fit.
Lyle

Awesome! Two questions, does the milescraft hood under the table prevent the router from going all the way up? Are you able to change bits from above the table?

My router table fence dusty connection gets 95% of the chips. Never bothered with under table - too much phaff.

No, the router can go all the way up to allow above table router bit changes. With the triton it has to be fully up, then the spindle lock engages to allow a single spanner bit change.
The only issues are the different "adapters" required to plumb the vac hose to the extractor.
As you can see I've got a line to the fence port, which has a wrap of tape to give a good soft snug push on fit.
The others to the vac hose and mini cyclone are just pvc plumbing bits from the big green shed.
It's all a bit heath robinson-ish.
But it works well for me.
Recycling centers are great for vac hoses and bits for adapting them to your ports, as is the pvc plumbing bits.
Lyle