I'm using a Ridgid 4331 planer in my small shop and I'm struggling with dust and chip collection. I tried connecting a 4" hose to a 1hp portable dust collector, but it got clogged up quickly with shreds, and my planer ended up blowing shreds out the front. I'm looking for advice on how to manage the dust better. Could I use a setup with a 4" hose that steps down to a 2" for a dust deputy cyclone then back up to a shop vac? Or should I just let the planer blow into a bin? I'm hoping there's a simple and affordable solution out there!
1 Answer
Check if your cyclone has a screen to prevent larger pieces from entering. Mine has one, and while I initially thought it was a good idea, it ended up causing blocks in airflow. You might want those larger shreds to funnel down to your collection barrel instead!
That's what I figured too! If the screen traps big pieces, it could lead to a clog, right?