Shopsmith Forums

For years now I have been making do with the dust collection system but that does not mean I am satisfied with it. It does seem as though there is a better way. The location of the collection port of the lower saw guard is what frustrates me most.

Once I am all set up, the system works just fine. It is when I need to relocate either the carriage or the headstock that frustration sets in. The hose either comes off or it prevents movement of the carriage with respect to the headstock (interference with the table legs).

This is one place where Shopsmith could make vast improvements without spending mounds of money on R&D.

Pictures of my kludge setup:
I have thought about drilling into the metal leg and mounting a connector there but I can not bring myself to do that. Not without first knowing it would work. Besides, that doesn't solve the real problem.

I feel your pain. After enduring the same frustrations, I gave up and removed the lower guard. After trying several different methods (all miserable failures) I went to the dollar store and got two large storage tubs. 33 gal I think. Both are under the saw. The lids are set inside the tubs on end and serve as deflectors. Ugly and inelegant but contains MOST of the dust. Clean up is still necessary but, I'm resigned to it, now.

I would hesitate to run on a regular basis with the lower saw guard off but your method certainly changes the issue.

I do run with no dust collector attached. That eliminates any chance of hose interference but it does make for a mess under the Mark. One lesson, however, do not work MDF without dust collection.

One of my fails was wedging a couple Big Gulps between the lower tubes.
They collected a little but not nearly enough.
I'm a heretic. I don't use the upper guard, either. I want to try an overhead system someday.

I have had the same issue with the hose getting in the way of moving the carriage or headstock but hadn't figured out a solution. May copy yours. Thanks for sharing!

algale wrote:I have had the same issue with the hose getting in the way of moving the carriage or headstock but hadn't figured out a solution. May copy yours. Thanks for sharing!

Consider reducing the diameter at the upper "U" joint. I've looked for a flexible coupling for that location but with no success.

I just run the hose this way. Very satisfied. And yes, I'm working on cleaning the shop!

CN, it does not look to bad, I have seen worse, my nephews!!!

ERLover wrote:CN, it does not look to bad, I have seen worse, my nephews!!!

Y'all ain't seen nothin!

Yes, there is always a better way.

I am on the way to making some improvements in my current setup (first image in my original post). This is not a major change. I just got rid of a "hard elbow" and then shortened the flex hose. Now the headstock (or the carriage) can be relocated on the Way Tubes without interference from the collector hose. This also removes obstructions from the setup when I have the outfeed table connected (which is almost always). The final step (at least until I have taken it) is to create a permanent interface connection for the hose as it passes down between the bench tubes. It is my intention to build a small shelf (permanently located) between the bench tubes on the far right end. From the bottom side of that junction will be the hose that goes off to the dust collector. On the top side of the junction will be the flex hose that connects to the lower saw guard.

Keeping a hose connected to the lower saw guard is important to me because I have developed a bad habit of making "just a couple quick cuts" without connecting the dust collector. With the hose connected most of the dust will remain in the hose or be deposit it the end of the Mark where it exits the hose.