Chip Curtain

[justCNCit]

Hey what options are available for a chip curtain for my CNC hitachi router (CNC). I was looking at piecing one together out of vapor barrier, then paintbrush bristles, and none of those options look too good. Can someone tell me what most people do, thanks.

[ger21]

I used a strip brush from McMaster Carr. Was about $10, and gets at least 95% of the dust, provided the brushes are in contact with the work or table. The brush must be lower than the bit for it to work effectively.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/attach...6&d=1252165349

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/attach...6&d=1252237209

[justCNCit]

thanks much. One problem I was having with making this tool out of MDF is when I put screws in it the material broke and split.

also what thickness of bristle would you recommend?

[ger21]

I used plywood. I've got the .014, but next time I'll go with the .020.

[jsheerin]

If you're cutting mostly flat sheet goods, another tweak on this is to have the dust shoe attached to the non-movable portion of the z-axis. This lets it always be in contact with the material and not ride up and down with the router. To change bits, you can raise the router and the bit is freely accessible. The downside is that it's a bit more work to set z-zero as the dust shoe is now in the way. I have mine set up to be easily removable to get around that. I've also found mine works better when I make the area behind the router bit (away from the dust hose) smaller.

I attached my brushes with hot glue, but every once in a while they loosen and I have to reglue them. When I eventually redo my dust shoe, I plan on attaching them a bit more firmly.

[justCNCit]

well I assume that Ger glued the brushes into that slot he milled in the plywood. So I will do something similar and fill it with glue. What type of glue is best?

I've actually been working on a magnet idea where the shoe is magnetically held to a counterpart on the router by 6 magnets. The idea might be a flop though. It was in a video

[yngndrw]

I've not made one yet, but I'd think that epoxy resin would be best to attach the brush with - At least that's what I intend to use.

[ger21]

I used 5 minute epoxy.

[justCNCit]

from the looks of it you went with the thinnest brush (1/8") that they offer?

[ger21]

It's 5/16" x 3".

[FandZ]

I'm assuming everyone is useing these with a shop vac. Would it behoove me to use one without a shop vac to stop sawdust from flying everywhere? I don't own a shop vac yet but I'd like to do something about all the flying particles. I've found out if I stay by the cnc machine too long without a mask I get bad heart burn. I guess inhaling too much fiber is a bad thing.

[ger21]

It'll keep most of the dust and chips in a pile, but if your cutting MDF, the air will still fill with dust, as the router fan will blow it around. I use a dust collector with a 4" hose, not a Shop Vac.