Emotional breakdown

[stevem]

So….I finally broke down and made a proper dust chute to go with the 4” hose and cyclone dust separator. This chute is independent of the Z axis height control and incorporates a PE donut as a pressure foot.

It would be very easy to make a version of this chute that attaches directly to the router for Z axis height dependence. Both versions would require a vacuum system with high flow rates to work efficiently.

Any interest in this as a commercial product?

447

[Brady Watson]

Nice Job Steve! I would think that there is a commercial interest in this...especially for those doing 3D as the current one moves with the Z axis...

-Brady

[stickman]

Steve,

That looks great. I would be very interested in replacing my air deflector that you produce, with that one. But, this one looks like it would work great, adjust it to the height of the material and go to cutting. How does the PE (pressure equilizer?) handle coming off and on material edges?

Would it be able to accompany small bits?

Do you have pictures of the route the hose takes around the carriage and up the cable carrier?

[stevem]

PE=Polyethelene. The shape of the donut needs some tuning to go smoothly over edges. Since I do not normally run the donut past the material edge, it’s going to stay the way it is for now.

The nose of the collet comes to within .5” of the table top with the dust chute in place.

The dust hose exits the “back” of the X gantry and is suspended from the ceiling on a cable that runs the length of the machine in the X direction. The end of the rope that supports the hose has a roller that allows it to slide as the gantry is moving, thus preventing the hose from dragging on the material. Film at 11.

[sawkerf]

I Cut 99% cabinet parts and this looks like it would be great for that too. Just having the router out in the open for bit changes would be an awesome advantage. Sign me up for one! Kip

[stickman]

Steve,

I am all game for what you've got in your picture. What is the white part with the springs?

Jay

[gerald_d]

Steve, the first one on this (http://www.damoncnc.com/options/mt/mt_dust_collector_options.htm) page has more technical appeal for me. Yours does look a lot more affordable though.

[stevem]

Gerald, the pressure foot in your link does have more technical appeal and also moves up with the spindle, which is an advantage. It does look pricey.

[matt_p]

Steve, that looks sweet! clever set-up all the way around. would it be possible to form the shroud from something clear? like .060 lexan or?
I know from my own experience at using and building dust/pressure feet that not being able to see what the tool is doing drives me crazy. what about a way to switch from the PE foot to a brush "curtain"?