Shopsmith Forums

Inspired by the "sharkguard", I modified the upper saw guard to include a dust collection port. This, combined with a baffle on the lower saw guard, is very effective in capturing the dust - especially the very fine airborne dust kicked out by the blade.

I made this using a spare hose coupler and a 2" threaded PVC pipe plug. (The kind that has a square nut on the end). I cut off the nut and then pressed the plug onto the coupling. I glued this onto the top of the upper saw guard, then drilled out an opening using a 1" forstner. (be careful when the bit breaks through - I hit the metal bar on the guard). I put a hook in the ceiling to hang the hose so that it does not interfere with the work.

michaeltoc wrote:Inspired by the "sharkguard", I modified the upper saw guard to include a dust collection port. This, combined with a baffle on the lower saw guard, is very effective in capturing the dust - especially the very fine airborne dust kicked out by the blade.

I made this using a spare hose coupler and a 2" threaded PVC pipe plug. (The kind that has a square nut on the end). I cut off the nut and then pressed the plug onto the coupling. I glued this onto the top of the upper saw guard, then drilled out an opening using a 1" forstner. (be careful when the bit breaks through - I hit the metal bar on the guard). I put a hook in the ceiling to hang the hose so that it does not interfere with the work.

I'm actually a bit surprised that shopsmith never came out with a fixed dust shield for non-dado and sanding operations. Seems like the movable nature of the shield leads to many of the leaks, and since you really only need to adjust the width for dados or other operations why not.

damagi wrote:I'm actually a bit surprised that shopsmith never came out with a fixed dust shield for non-dado and sanding operations. Seems like the movable nature of the shield leads to many of the leaks, and since you really only need to adjust the width for dados or other operations why not.

The shield is the major part of the dust problem but it is not the fact that it is movable (to accomodate the dado).

The primary escape route for the dust is a by product of how the shield is formed to facilitate the tilting table.

I have devised an attachment or two or three that nearly eliminates all of the dust that escapes down onto the carriage and the floor. The dust that I have not been able to deal with is carried to the table top and into my face by the gullets in the blade.

The major problem with my fix is that when installed the table can be tilted left but not right.

Michael, your modification to the upper saw guard just may do what I have been trying to do.

I have been working with an attachment to a riving knife that would allow the "overhead vacuum hose" to be mounted right above the blade. The riving knife is not rigid enough and the hose being attached sometimes causes the riving knife to move. NOT GOOD.

Thanks for that idea. I have seen the Sharkguard but have not been giving it any thought.