This picture was not taken to show the CMS so I cut out the stuff around it. Got this idea from a woodworker on the old WOOD forum. Mitre saws throw dust underneath also. The idea is to build a box at the back of the saw to stop the dust that flies away. then build a box under the saw to catch what comes from the mitre slot. A short hose on the saw exhaust also sends dust to the box. I sealed under the saw with a gasket made from pipe insulation. The DC pipe goes in from above. If you have a way to do it underneath would be a better. Note the larger the upper box the better.

 

 

This is an older picture as I expanded the upper box to maybe twice this size using corrugated plastic.

55 minutes ago, Gerald said:

using corrugated plastic.

Didn't think about that but it would work great too. Preapply some paste wax then polish, dust would not cling to it from any static buildup either. Home Depot carries it (at least ours does) in various sheet sizes up to 4'x8'. Search under Coroplast.

@Grandpadave52 Using the thinner plywood with a frame is a good idea to lower costs. I already have the thicker plywood I had on hand cut, but this is food for thought as I haven't glued/screwed it together yet (too cold for glue in the shop).

 

@Bubba Thank you! I agree a cyclone separator is key and will incorporate that. Planning to try my shop vac or maybe connecting to my larger dust collector. Good idea on the plexi. I haven't had a chance to get the fitting to connect my vac so that picture will help me out as I wander the store searching!

 

@Gerald Thank you for sharing your setup. I was thinking how to have some collection lower (as I looked at the "tent option" Grandpadave52 had shared has the dust hose connected at the bottom). Using the corrugated plastic would be a cost saver. Thank you @Grandpadave52 for giving the brand name to look up.

@BB1 I recently found a product a Home Depot that might be an inexpensive option to build a housing out of. It is a 4'x8' 1/16" thick sheet of PVC for $26 a sheet.

I bought it to cover some wire mesh closet shelves where stuff kept falling through the wire. I have found several uses for the leftover piece. One nice thing about that stuff

you can use a heat gun to shape it. 

You might could make an igloo behind your saw. 😁

just read an article in woodworkers journal, June 2012, that suggests a shop vac hooked to miter saw and a box behind hooked to your dust collector. also saw a suggestion on another publication thar suggests using a plastic tote for the box, lots of ideas out there if you can just find them. hope this helps you think outside the box🤣. I second the vote for the mini cyclone from harbor freight , just look for a heavy duty bucket if you have a large vacuum as it can collapse the bucket(DAMHIKT) I use a vacuum hooked to my saw with a tool activated switch. it helps but i need the box and D. C. maybe someday.

4 minutes ago, Rusty S said:

also saw a suggestion on another publication thar suggests using a plastic tote for the box, l

Another great, economical idea.

18 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

 

 

Given a utopian shop with adequate space. I'd consider one of THESE. Rob Cosman gives it great reviews. I tried to find the thread but could not, but I seem to recall @Gene Howeshared his home built version of this type of collection method.

 

We had something similar at the furniture bank and it turned out, IMO, to be worthless.  There is too much open space and not enough suction.

 

At my home shop, I built a box that sits behind the saw.  In the bottom is a port to my dust collector, where there's also some 1/2" screen so cutoffs do not hit the impellers.  In the front, I got some floor runners, stapled them on the top edge and cut into roughly 2" strips so I can swing the angle of cut left or right without interference or loosing the seal.   Since I have seen things very siimilar but with 1/4" panels that slide left or right

 

2 hours ago, kmealy said:

At my home shop, I built a box that sits behind the saw.  In the bottom is a port to my dust collector, where there's also some 1/2" screen so cutoffs do not hit the impellers.  In the front, I got some floor runners, stapled them on the top edge and cut into roughly 2" strips so I can swing the angle of cut left or right without interference or loosing the seal.   Since I have seen things very siimilar but with 1/4" panels that slide left or right

@kmealySounds great.  Love to see a picture of your setup.  Thanks.

I am leaning toward something like this - with movable or removable front panels for the "other than 90 degree" cuts.

I also looked at that design but I didn't have enough room for something that big.

Edited January 16Jan 16 by Bubba

Sounds like you’re on the right track! Hooking up a shop vac directly to the dust port is ideal, but adapters can be tricky. Sometimes just a short piece of flexible hose with a coupler works. Building a small enclosure with removable panels is also smart; it lets you capture more dust while still giving access. You might consider adding a little vent or baffle so the vacuum pulls efficiently without making a mess when the panels are off. Also, a low‑speed fan or small dust blower inside can help move airborne dust toward the vacuum. Even simple steps like these make a big difference over just the stock bag.

1 hour ago, BB1 said:

I am leaning toward something like this - with movable or removable front panels for the "other than 90 degree" cuts.

Clever design!

59 minutes ago, ASteinfield said:

Even simple steps like these make a big difference over just the stock bag.

That's all I have ever used. With an incoming minisplit, I want/need to do better with the collection at the miter saw. 

2 hours ago, Bubba said:

I also looked at that design but I didn't have enough room for something that big.

I'm going to try to make room. What I have in mind shouldn't take too much extra space. Will see how it all comes together! 

@BB1 this miter saw dust collection just popped up on my YouTube screen.

I'm retired and nothing better to do, I think I may try this idea.

 

Take note of the channel name..............PatriotDIY.

Edited January 16Jan 16 by Bubba

@Bubba I watched that one. I think it limits you to only straight cuts so would need to remove for any angled cut. 

I understand. But I'm not a woodworker, I'm more of a woodtinkerer and 90+% of my cuts are straight cuts and his box looks like it may work better than what I came up with so nothing ventured, nothing gained is how I look at it.

@Bubba If the straight cuts are what you need, this is a good option to consider. Be sure to give an update if you get it all installed.

The miter saw creates such high energy particles that capture is very difficult, so "containment" is a better strategy.  Behind the saw in the pic is an exhaust scoop leading to below-bench dust collector.  I made the curved arms from plywood, and the surround is just clear plastic "cloth".  I've been using it for about a decade, and the combo of capture and visibility has worked quite well.  1/4" hardware cloth over the opening prevents loss of needed small things.

9 hours ago, JimM said:

@kmealySounds great.  Love to see a picture of your setup.  Thanks.