Of vacuum shoes and coat hangers
So in the build up to the first run I decided I needed to attach a vacuum and get the wiring out of harms way. To solve the first issue I decided to build a dust shoe that would clamp to the bottom of the router. Since I am not skilled in 3D modeling yet, I decided to build a cardboard model of the shoe using old boxes and scissors, it was crud but effective in my opinion.
Card Board Dust Shoe Model Parts
Card Board Dust Shoe Model Assembled
From this I was able to quickly to a use CadStd to create the cad file and use Cut2D to create the G-Code for cutting. I then proceeded to cut the pieces out from 1/2″ and 1/8″ MDF.
MDF Vac Parts
Gluing and clamping ensued.
Ready to Clamp
Clamp Art 1
Clamp Art 2
A very light sanding and sealing with water thinned wood glue was quickly followed by painting.
Sanded and Sealed Shoe
Mounted and ready to run
And that is the end of the story… actually I have done the first cuts with the new and machine and I was impressed with the amount of dust the new router and the 1/4″ bit kicked up, and disappointed that the dust shoe failed to catch most of it, so I added a shroud to the bottom. Nothing fancy, just got some vinyl carpet runner and a pipe clamp and threw it together in about 20 minutes.
Shroud Parts
Shroud Assembled
Shroud Mounted
I have not cut anything since installing this, but I will report back on how it does (or doesn’t).
To address the wire handling I used only the finest coat hangers and zip ties to move the wires away from the screws and router path.
Coat Hanger 1
Coat Hanger 2
Coat Hanger 3
I then move my existing vacuum set up from the Model D over to new machine. I ended up using a painters pole zip tied to the shower chair I had been using and yet another coat hanger to suspend the hose above the machine table, worked like a charm.
Vacuum Setup
Bonus Coat Hanger
I ran my first cuts a day later, however since I doubt anyone want to watch 30 minutes of video, I am still editing the video down to something that is small and interesting and hopefully I will post it in the next day or so.
Tags: CNC Resources, diy, dust control, dust shoe, vacuum
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[...] that cover the final steps of getting it ready to run, which included creating the vacuum shoe. Of vacuum shoes and coat hangers It is nice to finally be done (mostly) [...]
Hey Grumpy,
I am getting close to finishing my CNC which incorporates the Ridgid laminate trimmer like you have used. Any chance you could forward the CAD file for your dust shoe, it looks very impressive?
Many thanks, Dave
Sure, not sure why I did not post it to begin with: R2400_Vacuum_Shoe.zip
FYI: I have had a few issues with small round pieces of 3/4″ MDF from small circle profile cuts getting stuck in the bottom slot, so you might want to leave it off, or make it detachable in some way (or double the height of the slot). It has not been a huge issue since I now know it can happen, I just remove the pieces after they are cut out and before the vacuum passes over them again (if possible, watch your fingers)
Hope this helps.
Thanks so much Grumpy. I know what one of my first projects will be when I get my machine up and running.
Dave
Hi Grumpy, thanks for sharing your design. I found it on a post over at CNCZone am giving it serious consideration as the one to use for my new CNC router. -JC1