Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: NormB on January 29, 2010, 08:57:05 AM
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My CNC controller has fans inside to keep things cool. My router is making a lot of fine dust that is accumulating in the controller,. I have been blowing this stuff best I can with compressed air to remove as much as possible. Is there a good way to protect the controller from all that dust? If you cut wood you make dust must be some way.
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Most electronics are kept inside an enclosure. There are normally cut-outs for the fans, which are covered with a filter of some sort.
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My unit has no filter on it just slots to allow air to move through. I have two fans insed like computer fans. I am not sure what sort of filter material I can use to catch that finedust. I could apply something outside the unit it's what to use, it will have to be rather fine but still let air through.
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NormB
In your situation i would put the enclosure in a purpose built cupboard.
This would need to be of sufficient size to allow air to circulate without a build up of heat in the enclosure.
There are dedicated devices for computers that have an alarm if things get to hot.
As you seem to be using it for woodworking this will be an easy task for you. ;D
Phil
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I have one fan at the bottom of my electrical cabinet on one side and another at the top opposite side. The bottom one blows the air in and the top out. My solution to the dust problem is to use a duct through the wall to use outside air to cool the cabinet. End of dust problem.
Dave
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An air conditioner filter and placed outside the fan for an buck cut up into little squares would make a cheap filter that should do the trick. Just change them often.
RICH
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The first step is to keep the sawdust out of the air! Use a good dust collection system with a 3.5 micron or smaller filter. The fine dust that is accumulating in your control is also very bad for your lungs. I put off buying a DC for years and finally went and spent the $350 or so bucks and it has been one of the best investments I have ever made.
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Right on Jeff,
A friend has a neat setup. He used a large shop vac which is located outside in his shed and it's vented to the air.
Used PCV pipe for the ducting ( cheap compared to thin walled duct tubing ) and works quite well. He doesn't have the noise from the vac and gets rid of the dust. Your safety point is well taken and some of the imported woods can be just down right nasty. Especially if your allergic to them.
RICH
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I would definitely agree that the first line of defense should be an adequate dust collection system (for your electronics, AND more importantly your health). However, I wouldn't discount the additional benefit of a filter for the enclosure, either. Like Rich stated, cut up a household AC filter, or make a holder for a square/rectangle pleated automotive filter.
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For your intake filter , get an automotive K&N filter the shape you need . They're not the cheepest , but will last forever.
Ed
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I agree with the dust collector, but when you cut at either end where the dust shoe doesn't work very well, you still need something for a filter or alternate air.
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My dust shoe gets at least 99% of the dust, and what it misses is heavier chips. My router is the cleanest power tool in my shop. However, there's plenty of dust from the other tools. What I did on my control box, is make a plywood "ring" to mount a Fram automotive air filter over the intake fans. I bought the smallest and cheapest one I could find, about $6. It's the square type, It's a very soft rubber that easily seals tight. It works great.
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ger21 beat me to it. We service outdoor power equipment and use a air filter
for a Kohler engine although others will work. Just depends on your setup.
olf20 / Bob
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The air filter is a good idea. I have another problem though. I do not have a dust shoe as it's called. I bought one years ago have had no luck using it. It mounts in a permenant position with long brushes made of aluminium. During most cutting the brushed can get caught up in the router bit.It does not move up and down like most allowing for some of the smaller carving bits to be used. that is why I have so much dust it's a vac job after every cutting.
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Imo a dust shoe is the most important thing you can make for your router. I can't imagine using mine without it.
Mine mounts with wing nuts, and can be removed in about 10 seconds. Others use magnets to hold them in place. Here's mine.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12545.0.html
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magnets are good, in case of collision it has a good chance of just falling off instead of getting smashed.
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I am considering the KentCNC dust show. It looks good but am trying to find out exactly how it attaches and if it will fit my router. Does anyone have experience with this?
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I believe it clamps around the router body. It's 2 pieces, and the brush part comes off. There's a YouTube video that demonstrates it, if you can find it.
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Yes I watched the video but it's not real clear how it mounts to the router except for the sleeve around the motor not sure if that is all that holds it up or not. It is set up for a 4" hose not sure if it can accept a vac hose or not and if that is adequate for that shoe. I have asked him some questions but no answer as of yet.
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KentCNC Is there an alternate way to get hold of this guy? I have been trying by email the one he posted but no reply? Wondering if it is a valid email address today?
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I always got the ultra fine dust into the cabinet. I did not have a problem with that. But cleaning is risky. Static can ruin things, and a blow with the vacuum nozzle can knock out little cable.
I ended up buying a $90 AC from home depot, closed it completely, and mounted that to the back of my cabinet. Cold inside and no way for dust to get in.
Commercial systems have commercial AC units which do not look as ghetto as my attachment. But they do the same thing and I bet they got the same inards as well.
One day I make a sheet metal enclosure of the AC unit in the bacl. So it looks expensive... haha
Lemo
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KentCNC Is there an alternate way to get hold of this guy? I have been trying by email the one he posted but no reply? Wondering if it is a valid email address today?
Are you using KentCNC@gmail.com ?
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97533
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Yes I was but did finally get hm I have the shoe ordered now will be here soon. Thanks