Shopsmith Forums

I'd like to add a dust port to my bandsaw. If you had your druthers, would you want a new cover, or just put the kit in the existing cover?

I would be inclined to add a port. Location is controlled that way. I am not convinced the SS location is best. Others have added one back down towards the rear bottom(Doug Reed?). I wonder if he also closed off the center bottom? For sure it is less 'in the way' there.

I just took another look at my newer bandsaw with a port. I don't see any other significant changes between the two. I see a replacement cover has the window, but I really don't care about that. I'm glad I looked. The tire was half off the front of the lower wheel! Probably when I accidentally ran the speed control the wrong direction last week! Really had it screaming until the circuit blew! Oops!
Anyway, I think I will just order the port for now and think about best placement options.

I know you asked for an either or answer, however when I added a port, I decide I on one of these
It was less than $4 at Lowe's

It does not have the cross hatching to catch big pieces of wood, but I decide if I really need something like that I would just add a piece of chicken wire mesh fence to the cover.

Anyway, sorry this isn't one of the either or responses but just thought I would offer another direction.

Also, it I had it to do over again, I would use the one that's angled. I think I've seen them referred to as router fence outlets. cooch366 has one on his router fence.
Be well,
Ben

Like Ben, I used a toilet flange. Works good and cheaper than a new cover.

Will the newer cover with the window work? I replaced my original with the window version and spend much less time looking for those darn little knobs that I drop taking the cover off.

As for dust extraction, it does pretty good. Have never used a band saw that was really good at dust collection, there will always be some leakage.

TomH wrote:Will the newer cover with the window work? I replaced my original with the window version and spend much less time looking for those darn little knobs that I drop taking the cover off.

As for dust extraction, it does pretty good. Have never used a band saw that was really good at dust collection, there will always be some leakage.

I have my SS band saw on its own power stand. It has a factory dust port. Dust collection is not too bad but not great.

I also have a 14" Powermatic band saw with the riser block. It has a 4" dust port on the back side. I hook the dust collector up with a 2 1/2" hose. It spits out more saw dust than you can believe. Way more than the SS. Then again I use it for resawing 6" plus stock with a 3/4" blade so that may contribute to the saw dust.

I guess the space between the table and the band saw covers is the reason. It is one of those tools you just have to live with.

I am just passing on what I heard on PBS, oh frick, Public Broadcasting Station, Wood Working show, the husband and wife one. "The Band Saw is the second most dust emitting machine in the shop". Did not say what the first was, guessing router. Every person I know that watches TV, O Poop that watches Television, knows what PBS is, its like ABC, NBC,FOX,ESPN ECT.
Thats where this whole country has gone array, being dumbing down, now they want to do it to the police departments. You uyal better get a CCP!!!!
If uyal cant shoot someone slack, uyal better tighten your belt.
As the Lord said, "'Let Ye without guilt fire the first ICBM"'

I upgraded my older bandsaw with the newer side panel (i.e. with the dust port and the window for the tension adjustment setting. If I had a 'do over', I would simply modify my old cover! I would add a dust port (in about the same spot as SS put their's but I would buy a Universal Dust Port (#92031) from Rockler and mount it so that the outlet is angled to the left side and maybe a bit down. That would allow me to hook up the hose to the dust collector and not have the hose in my way when I am standing at the bandsaw. Cost: about $8. On the SS cover, the hose sticks straight out and I have to work around it. I also had to cut out the little bars that SS added - I had sawdust build up on the bars and block things up.

Regarding the window for the tension adjustment, I would just cut a hole in about the right spot. SS uses a clear plastic window there and that window gets covered with sawdust quickly and you can't see very easily through the sawdust.

I think you have it right, "the mother of invention" I bought a LED light with a magnetic base for my SS BS, Oh not metal, I epoxied a 28 oz can cover on the top portion, now it sticks!!!