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This took me forever.
Chipping away at it 30 min here and there after work or after the kids were in bed. This weekend I finally got a couple of hours and went crazy.
I have been looking to make a sanding table to help control dust in the garage. Since the spring I have looked at a lot of plans and ready-built models online, but it just seemed easier(?stupider) to make it myself to the dimensions I wanted so that I can stand at the workbench, saw or portable table and not get a sore back.
Jim B made 'Dusty' and got me going with his great design and some tips in his blog:
http://lumberjocks.com/jbertelson/blog/11569
A trip to the lumberyard's off cut section found MDF, pegboard, hardboard and some thin ply all very cheap. The MDF was $.50; the black hardboard set the tone for colors.
The P51 was added just for fun to keep up with Dusty's style….and I had a decal kicking around.
Sorry it is not fine woodworking but it was fun, eventually

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Comments

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What a novel idea! I use a vac on the sander port, but for hand sanding or powered - this would get it all…

I like the plane logo…
 

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Ah yes, the North American Aircraft Company's P-51 Mustang model downdraft table! ;)
 

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Great job should help alot.
 

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Notto,
The first pic shows 'blank' inserts on left and right with a single 'holey' insert placed in the middle.
The vac is weak with all 3 perforated inserts in place, this was Jim B's idea to make solid blanks to increase vac pressure.
 

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Scott -
Did you put any kind of 'traction coating' on the pegboard to keep the wood from moving around or is it smooth? More importantly to me ;-) if you found something that works good….what was it?

Cheers
 

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Hi Dave,

I didn't put any coating on it. I thought about a spray on rubber coat, but Jim B tried that and said it came off rather quickly. I did make the inserts sit lower than the box's edges so there is a nice little lip to support the work piece. That helps to stop the wood you are working on from sliding off the pegboard.

I am still working on tweaking the holes to get a bit more vacuum pressure. I changed the shop vac from 1"1/4 to 2" hosing and that helped some.
 

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Small shop vac crapped out last night….definitely having dust control issues in my garage.
 

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That's a great idea I particularly like the different size interchangeable vacuum panels. Does it work as a vacuum hold down for other jobs (like routing work)
Trevor
 

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Hi Trevor,
I haven't tried it as a vac hold down, yet….but that is a great idea to try out!
I just bought a small Bosch palm router last weekend and haven't even got it out of the box yet. So I will give that a go.
My little shop vac does ok with vac pressure in the box, but a proper vac system (one or two stage)is on my wish list.
Thanks for commenting.
Cheers, Scott Hastings
 

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Looks like there is another shop project now on my list!! Thanks!!!
 

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Scott, Just make sure you block off the holes around the piece & I think it will work great
I think I'll have to get round to one of these
Cheers
Trevor
 

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I will try that Trevor. I used some wood dowels into holes to act as bench dogs on the table so it would support the workpiece.
Do some photos and post your box when you get it done
S
 
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