Radial Arm Saw Exhaust Adapter

thingiverse

Most older Sears Craftsman radial arm saws featured a rubber 90-degree sawdust exhaust port on the front, directing sawdust to the left of the operator. The rubber exhaust port often became damaged or lost, causing sawdust to shoot directly into the chest and face of the operator. This adapter serves two main purposes. Firstly, it redirects the sawdust stream through a 180-degree path, preventing sawdust from hitting the operator. Secondly, it provides a friction coupling that fits most standard Craftsman shop vacuums, automatically vacuuming up sawdust generated during saw usage. This simplifies cleanup and reduces airborne sawdust, which poses significant respiratory risks. Using this adapter requires a minor modification to the saw exhaust port, achieved by employing a Dremel tool with a diamond cutting bit (see photograph). Due to size discrepancies resulting from the casting process, it may be necessary to scale the model up or down to achieve an exact fit. To ensure accuracy, I suggest creating a quick, low-resolution model first and then verifying sizing before proceeding. My model was constructed using white ABS on a heated bed with a 5mm skirt. Radial arm saws are less common than they once were, but collecting sawdust remains essential for all woodworking tools. This adapter can be easily modified to fit various tools, and I hope it proves useful in the future.