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This isn't much of a project, but I think it is a beneficial accessory to the RIGID oscillating belt sander that I believe many of you LumberJocks may have (I've seen it in many photos posted on LumberJocks). By adding this simple dust hood, the efficiency of the vacuum system is increased significantly.

There are five features that should be noted:
1. It can be removed in seconds, just by lifting off
2. There is a hinged door at the downstream drive pulley that allows access to that end of the belt if needed.
3. It is very light, so easy to handle
4. It is wood, so if by accident, it comes in contact with the belt, the belt can easily create a bit of clearance (I started out thinking I would build a metal dust hood).
5. It can be made from scraps laying around almost any shop.

The only item to note on the design that may not be obvious is the use of a split wood clamp on the dust port that is used to capture the slot in the mounting piece. I created the clamp by cutting a 2-1/2" hole in a 3/4" thick board, then splitting and adding 2 clamp screws. It is clamped on the dust port, allowing just enough clearance for the slotted board to slide into.

Hopefully this idea is useful to another LumberJock.

Have a great week.

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Comments

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6 Posts
Cool, I have one of those sanders and the dust collection is not great. I will have to put this on my list to make. Thanks for sharing.
 

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31 Posts
Kevin great idea, my brother has that spindle sander. I'll make sure he sees your post.
 

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6 Posts
Kevin, I also have this exact sander and this looks like a great addition to it! Already added to my favorites. This will be a future project for me. Thanks for the post!
 

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48 Posts
I don't have the sander yet but it is on my to buy list. When I do get it though this mod is one of the first things to do to it.

Thanks for sharing
 

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188 Posts
I really like that clamp you made out of wood. I must use that on several projects I am thinking of. Thank you.
 

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69 Posts
Thanks… I have this Rigid sander and this looks like a nice 'upgrade' for it.
 

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49 Posts
This is a definite favorite to build, thanks for the idea. This sander has become a tool used on almost anything I build.
 

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29 Posts
Already on my to-do list. Thanks for posting.

Phil
 

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2,185 Posts
Nice.
Dust collection on that machine could really be improved, and looks like you did it.
Good job.

Steve
 

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207 Posts
I have one of these sanders. I like it a lot, and this is a wonderful addition to improve dust collection. Very inventive and a great post. Thanks,

George
 

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4,054 Posts
Adding to my must do list …thank you very much : )
 

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462 Posts
The ingenuity of folks like yourself never cease to amaze me! Well done.
Favorited.
 

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4,629 Posts
I made something similar a few years back
 

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1,243 Posts
Great idea Kevin!
One of those will have to go on the shop project list.
This is the type of dust collection hood that the manufacturer should have installed originally.

Thanks a bunch.
 

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861 Posts
This idea is useful to a lot of lumberjocks. Great Idea. Bought the sander about a month ago and will be adding this hood. Very innovative.
Thanks.
 

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176 Posts
I have no complaints regarding the dust collection (I hook directly up to my DC via a Rockler DustRight port) but this looks handy!
 

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162 Posts
Great idea…some people have all the brains.
 

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1,285 Posts
by the way, HOW IS that sander?
 

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I have the Ridgid sander and now I have your idea in my favorites folder. Great idea Kevin. thanks for sharing it with us.
 
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