Ok, as you can tell, I am in the process of totally “pimping” out my Delta 14” bandsaw lately. So, the next step is dust collection.
My bandsaw is the worst dust maker in the shop. It leaves the air and my lungs full of fine maple powder. All I can do is wear a respirator and wait for a while until it comes out of the air and gives all the surfaces in my shop a nice coating.
So, has anybody seen articles on, or actually tried adding dust collection to a classic style bandsaw?
Where would you recomend sucking the dust from?
- Multiple locations on the saw?
- Below the table?
- Near the “wheel brush”?
- Above the table?
I’m working with limited suction because for now my dust collection is a shop vac (2 1/2”).
The powder machine:

Photos would be awesome if you can find any or take any.
Thanks!
-- Dust collectors suck.























6 comments so far
GaryK
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8183 posts in 379 days
posted 148 days ago
I added a 4” fitting on the lower cover that works well. You can see a picture of it in my workshop pics.
The problem is some of the dust gets stuck in the gullets of the blade and gets carried around the saw
and ends up coming off on the top of the wood you are cutting after it goes through the guides.
I have found nothing that works 100% but that dust port works about 80-90%.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
jcees
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396 posts in 190 days
posted 148 days ago
There are aftermarket dust ports for the Delta 14”. Try some of the bigger retailers online and I’m sure you’ll find multiple instances. I usually haul my outside so I’ve never bothered with it but I can see how it would be a problem. I was resawing some 6” tall SYP yesterday and indeed did end up with a pile of dust. When I’m done I just crank up the leaf blower and hose everything off before dragging them back inside.
The dust ports I’ve seen hook up below the table in order to pull the dust off the blade after it passes through the workpiece. Good luck.
always,
J.C.
-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein
ChicoWoodnut
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380 posts in 206 days
posted 148 days ago
My Jet has a silly plastic port under the table. This looks like it might fit the bill though. 7.99 at Highland hardware. You might want to consider more suction too.
-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net
Tony
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520 posts in 421 days
posted 147 days ago
II would suggest fitting the dust collection to the lowest part of the lower cabinet (where the dust normally congregates) – a 2 1/2” port should be sufficient, but the shop vac should be pretty efficient (filters cleaned out regularly), it really depends on what you cutting. Scroll type work you will collect most of it, re-sawing wide boards you will definitely get more dust.
My 18” band saw has a blade brush plus 2 – 4” ports connected to a dedicated 1 ½ hp dust collector. The first port in near the blade brush at the entry into the lower cabinet, the second port is at the bottom of the lower cabinet (which removes the majority of the material). Overall this systems seems to removes about 90% of all the saw dust, but I still get some dust covering the table and on the floor –but the air seem s pretty clean.
You will not collect everything, but you certainly will reduce the dust into the work shop by making this modification – good luck
-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)
Blake
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1811 posts in 265 days
posted 147 days ago
I’m scarred to cut a hole in my good old delta. I might look for a replacement cover piece to use and cut the hole in. Then I can store the original piece so it stays intact.
Thanks for the suggestions. It sounds like down at the bottom center of the lower cover is the way to go.
Should I also put a brush on the blade near there to get dust off the teeth? Would that be effective?
-- Dust collectors suck.
GaryK
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8183 posts in 379 days
posted 147 days ago
I can see the point about putting the port near the bottom since that is the place where dust would collect.
But, it seems to me that that would not be the case if you had a dust collector.
My reasoning for putting the port up higher on the right hand side is that is would suck up the dust before
it was trapped between the blade and wheel. You will notice it if you look at where I mounted mine, that’s
is right where the blade touches the wheel for the best effectivness.
I don’t think I would worry about cutting a hole in your saw. I did it to mine when it was brand new, and
if I were to sell it I think that it would be a great selling feature. It would save the buyer the trouble
of doing it themselves.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.