Turning rounter chuck into a blower/vacuum?

[strangetanks]

So I never posted it but I've finished my machine a while back and have been making stuff like crazy.

I'm getting to the point where vacuuming everything off between projects is getting a little nuts and the dust is clogging everything up.

I really hate the idea of adding more and more stuff and don't like the idea of running a separate vacuum.

Has anyone made any sort of shroud or jig that captures the spinning air around the chuck to basically turn it into a vacuum/blower? I mean, basically thats how a vacuum works. Just hook up a hose to it and run it into a receptacle.

In my mind, it would be an amazingly elegant and simple solution. I wouldn't have to worry about turning the vacuum on and off, and the suction would increase with the increase in router rpm.

Would love to kick around some ideas on it.

[CarbonKevin]

I've built a deflector to send the airflow out radially, so as not to interfere with the dust skirt system.

Honestly, anything beyond that may be in vain. The number one job of the air being moved through the router is cooling the motor - anything that alters this airflow runs the risk of compromising this cooling. My deflector included.

Further, the internal fan in these routers is designed to move large amounts of air - cool the motor. They do not pull worth a damn. Additionally, IF you could harness the airflow to suck dust, you need to keep it from entering the motor area.

Good luck, I'm eager to see what you come up with!

[cheetahcnc]

Cool

Jim

[strangetanks]

Hmmm, researching this I'm finding out a little more. Indeed the airflow through the router needs to be there to keep it cool.

How about this?
Dustless routers - Google Patent Search

It basically has a blower fan attached to the top of the router thats sucks away dust and blows it through a hose.

I'm thinking something along these lines but with the blower elements on the bit side of the router. Ugh...I hate when things start getting complicated.

[Phife]

This just doesnt seem like a good idea, the router/spindle is not made to handle dust collection, thats why people use Vacuums and dust collectors. Making the router drive some sort of vacuum blower would take away power from its main job, and compromising the routers cooling airflow is a bad idea.

Build a proper dust shoe, build a small inexpensive cyclone for your shopvac and you are set.. Or go the pro route and get a large dust collector and 4" hose.

I cant see your idea working any better than any of those 2 options.. there no need to reinvent the wheel.

It seems to me like you will be creating alot more headaches and work trying to do it that way..

But Good luck to ya!