Dust collection with bandsaw

[kd6vpe]

I bought the new bandsaw cover with the little window and dust port. The dust port has a plastic grid in it ths is part of the mold and it keeps getting clogged with saw dust.
Have any of you ran into this? could the grid be cut out? Or would that comprimise something.

[8iowa]

You have brought up a good point. My original bandsaw bought in '83, did not have a dust collector port. Then, a few years later, with the introduction of the DC3300, a dust port retro kit was offered for the bandsaw. One of the first things I had to do per instructions, was to cut a large round hole in the cover - thus no "grid". It worked great.

The dust collection port on the new bandsaw cover is molded separately, and then glued onto the cover. When the cover itself is molded, it has a lare hole in it. The grid is part of this separate piece. The answer could be that the grid helps to get a uniform flow of molten plastic during the molding process. In looking at this part the plastic is injected at the rim. I am speculating of course, however, I was in the plastic injection molding business for a brief period.

[john]

As 8iowa said, this is a good point. I had never thought of it, either for the bandsaw which seldom clogs, or my router table dust port which does frequently when routing pine.

I had alway thought it was to prevent large pieces from getting sucked in and damaging the impellers, but that should not be a problem on either of these tools.

I don't think cutting at least one cross piece would affect the stucture.

John

[dusty]

What did Shopsmith Customer Service (1-800-543-7586) have to say about this problem?

How many complaints have they had to field? What was their solution?

[kd6vpe]

Dusty,
I have not called Customer Service. I thought I would start here and see what kind of responses I got back from the usres first. This is a faily new product for them. My bandsaw is an old Magna that I am upgrading

[fjimp]

Jim, I hope you will post what you learn from Shopsmith. I have a newer bandsaw with the grid and find I that grid seems hamper the dust flow. I need to clean the inside of the bandsaw every time I use it. I would love to cut that grid out. Jim

[kd6vpe]

Jan said,
She did not think it would be a problem to cut the grid out In fact she is going to go talk to engineering. She suggested maybe a dremel tool would work to cleanly remove the grid. I will attempt this this weekend and let you know how it goes.

[kd6vpe]

Here is what it looks like now. I used a scroll saw blade and hand cut out most of the grid leaving a cross section just for strength

[john]

Jim:

Thanks for the pic. I think that might improve the overall dust pick-up without even without the concern for clogging.

John

[charlese]

Here is what it looks like now. I used a scroll saw blade and hand cut out most of the grid leaving a cross section just for strength

Jim - How is that working for you? Any improvement?