Good timing.... I was running into problems with my last design for a dust head hitting my clamps and causing lots of problems so I modified it using Joe's latest (or what I believe is his latest dust collector for his system). So what I have now is a mix between JLT's, Joe's and a little of my own. I will attach the DXF of where I am at so far. Only made it on the weekend but so far I am very pleased with the modficitions. Clamps can be higher than I need, vacuum is excellent, and it fits a 4.25 hose. I will try and get some pictures of it later today and post as well. Not sure though how well this would work without a tool change as getting to change the tools as it would be difficult to get wrenches in and the cutter would be to short to get past the vacuum head as the tool changer adds 2 or 3 inches to the cutter length.
As this is still prototyping I cut it out of MDF.
Three changes I am contemplating.
- Larger 4.25 for vacuum hose as I find it a bit to tight to fit the hose in easily.
- Removing the slot in the back side of the lower plate (the one without the vacuum hose on it).
- Tighten up the width between the two sides, presently they as so the entire unit will fit around existing bolts. Thus making the adaption of the unit to the existing machine simple to install as an addition. This would require pocketing in the sides so that it would fit around existing bolt heads... which would bring on problems with removal of the head.
Oh ya. this design will require wider sides for the router mount or the upbolt slots I have in place will not fit correctly. You should be able to see mine at www.cncmachine.phillipsfamily.ca.
OK I babbled way to much.