Routers make some of the finest and most dangerous dust in the shop. The bit spins at 20,000 to 30,000 RPM. Fine wood particles from routing hardwoods can stay airborne for hours. Connecting a vac is not just about keeping the shop clean. It is about keeping your lungs clean.
The approach is a little different depending on what type of router you use.
Compact Routers (Trim Routers)
Compact routers like the Makita RT0701C, DeWalt DCW600B, and Milwaukee 2723-20 have a small dust port on the side or rear of the base. Port sizes range from 28mm to 36mm outer diameter.
| Brand | Port OD | Key Models |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL | 32mm | 2723-20 |
| DeWalt 20V MAX | 32mm | DCW600B, DWP611 |
| Makita LXT 18V | 36mm | XTR01Z |
| Makita XGT 40V | 36mm | GRT01Z |
| Bosch PROFACTOR 18V | 35mm | GKF18V-25GCN |
| Festool (plunge) | 27mm | OF 1010 REQ, OF 1400 EQ |
| Ryobi ONE+ | 32mm | PCL525B, P601 |
Compact routers work well with a shop vac connected directly through the port. The suction at the bit area is good when the base is against the workpiece.
Plunge Routers
Plunge routers are larger. They use a guide base with more enclosed space around the bit. The Festool OF 1400 EQ and OF 1010 REQ have a 27mm CT port built into the base. The suction from a CT dust extractor is strong enough to pull all dust from the plunge cut.
Other plunge routers (Bosch 1617EVS, DeWalt DW618) have 35mm or 32mm ports on the base. Connect a shop vac to these the same way as a compact router.
One tip for plunge routers: make sure the base dust shroud is installed. The shroud directs chips into the port. Without it, chips fly outward before the port can capture them.
Router Tables
Router tables are different from handheld routers. There are two dust sources:
- The bit opening in the table surface (top-side dust)
- The inside of the cabinet below the table (bottom-side chips)
Good dust collection on a router table means connecting to both. Most router table fences have a 2-1/2 inch (63.5mm) port. The cabinet usually has a 4-inch (101mm) port. You need a vac or dust collector with a 4-inch port for the cabinet side.
For home shops with a portable router table and no full cabinet, a single 2-1/2 inch port at the fence works for most jobs. A 35mm or 36mm to 2-1/2 inch adapter connects the router's own port to a larger vac hose if needed.
Which Vac to Use
For compact and plunge routers, a shop vac with a 1-7/8 inch hose works fine. You want at least 5 amps of motor. Router bits produce fine dust and a weak vac lets it escape.
For router tables, a 1.5 HP dust collector with a 4-inch port is ideal for the cabinet. Run a shop vac on the fence port at the same time if you want near-zero dust.
Festool users: the CT MINI or CT MIDI connects directly to OF series routers via the Plug-it 27mm hose. No adapter is needed. The CT extractors filter down to 0.3 microns, which is far better than a standard shop vac filter for fine routing dust.
Adapter Sizes for Common Setups
- Milwaukee 2723-20 (32mm) to 1-7/8" vac hose: 32mm to 47.6mm adapter
- DeWalt DCW600B (32mm) to 1-7/8" vac hose: 32mm to 47.6mm adapter
- Makita XTR01Z (36mm) to 1-7/8" vac hose: 36mm to 47.6mm adapter
- Festool OF 1010 REQ (27mm) to CT extractor: direct fit, no adapter
- Festool OF 1400 EQ (27mm) to 1-7/8" shop vac: 27mm to 47.6mm adapter
Use the GulpDust configurator to find the right adapter. Select your router model and your vac, and we match the geometry automatically.
Safety Note
Fine dust from routing hardwoods like walnut, teak, and rosewood can cause allergic reactions and respiratory issues. Even one routing session without dust collection can deposit a significant amount of dust in your lungs. This is especially true with exotics and composites.
Wear a respirator rated N95 or P100 when routing these materials, even if you have a vac connected. A vac catches most of the dust. A respirator catches the rest.