A miter saw is often the first, big tool purchase of a diy workshop. It’s also voted “the tool you would choose to save from a fire if you could only choose just one” by most DIYers. Okay, I just made that up.
Just got a miter saw and want to find a way to make it more effective? This post is for you.
Thinking about getting a miter saw and want some ideas before you do? This post is for you.
Been using your miter saw for a while but wouldn’t mind spending less time cleaning sawdust? Yep, it’s definitely for you.
Just randomly found your way here and have no idea what a miter saw is? Welcome!
About that miter saw…
If you want to learn the basics of miter saw function, you need to check out this post by Brittany of Pretty Handy Girl. She breaks it all down and even includes a video. Go, I’ll wait…
If you haven’t already purchased a miter saw you may be wondering what to get. A friend recently asked me what saw I recommend, which is always a fun question. Here were the three options I gave him, plus a good budget pick.
Makita LS1016L
Bosch GCM12SD
Dewalt DWS780
Ryobi 15 amp 12 in.
Which one will I buy?
That’s really what it comes down to, right? The part where you say “Yaaaa, but which one do you really recommend?” I have been using the Kobalt (sold at Lowes stores) for the past three years, and on the whole, I am very pleased with it. However, the fence frequently needs adjustment to get perfectly square cuts, and in the end, that’s just not going to cut it. (See what I did there?)
So when it is time for the Kobalt to be replaced I will purchase….either the Dewalt, the Makita, or the Bosch. I don’t know yet, but rest assured, I only recommend things I would put in my own shop.
Now about that dust collection…
If you have a tricked out shop with a full size dust collection system just pat yourself on the back and move on. If you are looking for a good way to control the dust from your miter saw without spending your life’s savings (because let’s be real, the saw cost enough as is, right?), then watch this:
Part 2: An up close look
I love how self contained this system is. My miter saw gets moved around the shop quite a bit, and it only takes plugging in a single cord to run everything.
If you want to set up a similar system, here is what you will need:
*Be sure to check that these dimensions will work for your particular saw.
*This blog utilizes affiliate links. You can read my disclosure statement here.
iVac Automated Vacuum Switch
Fernco 4 inch to 3 inch coupling
Fernco 2 inch by 2 inch coupling
Big gulp dust hood
Fernco Y splitter (for some reason this thing is outrageously priced on Amazon, so I’m linking to Home Depot)
Rigid shop vac
Mobile Miter Saw Station by Fix This Build That
utility knife (for splitting the hose)
screwdriver or drill (to tighten the connections and attach the gulp to the stand)
C-clamp
The Details: Connecting your miter saw to dust collection
I use the miter saw stand by Fix This Build That. You can download his plans for $9, and they are worth every penny. I also tricked my stand out with the Kreg Trak and Stop system, and highly recommend it.
The saw port in back is connected using a flexible coupling that I came across in the plumbing section at Home Depot. The 2×2 inch coupling fits super tight over the saw port, but forms a great seal, especially once you tighten the band with a screwdriver.
The next part is the dust hood. I attached mine to the miter stand by simply screwing through the lip into the stand itself.
The hose runs around behind the dust hood and down to a 2″ flexible Y connector.
The dust hood has a 4″ port. I reduced it to a 2″ using another flexible connector, which then connects to the Y connector.
I cut the hose so that there wasn’t a lot of extra running from the saw’s dust port down to the Y port. The remaining section of hose connects at the bottom and runs to the vacuum in the bottom of the miter saw. You can see that there are extra holes because I needed to relocated it from its prior configuration so it would run to the vacuum without kinking.
Inside the miter stand is both the vacuum and the iVac switch. The saw plugs into the “Tool Power” outlet, and the vacuum into the “Vacuum Power” outlet. The main iVac cord runs through another hole in the miter stand and is your main power source to run the saw and vacuum. The remaining cord from the iVac (the shorter one) plugs into the bottom outlet.
That’s it! You can add a dust bonnet for extra sawdust control. The Handyman’s Daughter details how she used a baby tent to create an inexpensive version of this, or you can purchase one from Amazon, though I’ll tell you they are pricey. If you use the baby tent you’ll need to cut it apart and just use the top portion for this arrangement, as the mobile stand is compact.
This setup has been a game changer for me. I am just starting to assemble a larger dust collection system for the shop, but the miter saw will remain connected to this simple, mobile solution. As always, please let me know if you have any questions, and happy building!
Love how you adapted the tent to fit your miter saw cart! And connecting the top of the tent to the saw handle is genius! I’ll be adding that to mine soon.
Hi there. I’m working on that same project! Can you provide more details on how you cut the tent and fit it to the stand? Thank you.
I cut out one section of the tent, so it was one long piece rather than two. I then bent that piece over the saw and screwed it down to the stand on either side in the back. It was really about just making sure it was tucked around the back like a bonnet. The excess in the back I simply clamped to the plastic port that collects the sawdust. This works well on a smaller mobile cart. If you want more details on how Vineta did it (mine was very much inspired by hers), she has details here: https://www.thehandymansdaughter.com/diy-miter-saw-dust-hood/. I hope that helps!
A local builder just recommended that I upgrade my Ryobi to a Dewalt. And also that I replace my table saw with a cast iron table. If only I had a million dollars….lol
My advice is always to run the best you can on the tools that really matter to you…gradually! It can be so expensive!