Harvey Alpha Series Table Saws: Dust Collection Requirements and Troubleshooting

Created by Gabriel Izzo, Modified on Wed, 27 May at 1:42 PM by Gabriel Izzo

Harvey Alpha Series Table Saws · Dust Collection

Dust Collection Requirements & Troubleshooting

Overview

Excessive sawdust buildup inside the saw cabinet or on the table surface can be caused by several different factors. This guide covers the most common causes of poor dust collection on Harvey Alpha Series table saws and how to diagnose and resolve them.

Minimum Dust Collection Requirements

Minimum CFM

470 CFM

at hose connection to cabinet dust port

Min. Static Pressure

1,100 Pa

per dust collector outlet

Possible Causes & Solutions

Insufficient CFM

Verify that the airflow at the hose connection to the cabinet's external dust port is at least 470 CFM, as recommended in the manual. Inadequate CFM will result in poor dust capture and buildup inside the cabinet.

Insufficient Static Pressure

Verify that each dust collector outlet maintains a minimum static pressure of 1,100 Pa. This pressure is necessary to effectively capture and transport fine dust particles out of the cabinet.

Adjustable Guide & Blade Guard Upgrades

HW110S 4HP Models Only

Check the adjustable orange guide inside the cabinet — it is designed to direct sawdust toward the dust port. Adjust it to a wider setting to improve debris capture.

If your dust collector can support two 4″ hose connections with adequate CFM and pressure on both, upgrading to a dedicated overhead dust collector (e.g. Shark S10 or S12-S) can significantly improve overhead collection by upgrading the default 1.5″ overhead connection to 4″.

Check for Duct Leaks

Examine all hose connections both inside and outside the cabinet for leaks. Even a small air leak can significantly reduce suction and overall dust collection efficiency.

Measuring Airflow with an Anemometer

⚠ Safety — Dust Collection Testing

Wear a dust mask or respirator when working near the dust collection system during testing, particularly if fine particulate or sawdust is present in the air. Prolonged inhalation of fine wood dust is a health hazard.

Keep the anemometer and all tools clear of open duct openings while the dust collector is running. Strong suction can unexpectedly pull in loose objects — hold the anemometer firmly and keep cables, cords, and loose items away from the intake.

Wear safety glasses to protect against debris or dust expelled during testing.

Ensure the table saw is OFF and unplugged before accessing the cabinet interior or making any adjustments to the dust port, hoses, or the adjustable guide inside the cabinet.

For a precise airflow check, use an anemometer to measure CFM at the hose end connected to the saw. Correct anemometer setup is critical for accurate readings.

Anemometer Setup

Set the sample area on the anemometer to 0.087 ft² for a 4″ round pipe.

Ensure the anemometer is in FLOW mode set to measure in CFM — not CMM. Press the UNIT button to switch if necessary.

How to Calculate Duct Surface Area

Measure the inner diameter of the duct.

Calculate the radius: diameter ÷ 2.

Square the radius (radius × radius).

Multiply the squared radius by π ≈ 3.14 to get area in square inches.

Divide by 144 to convert square inches to square feet.

Common Pipe Sizes — Surface Area Reference

Pipe Diameter	Surface Area (ft²)
4″ Round Pipe	0.087 ft²
3.5″ Round Pipe	0.0667 ft²
1-3/8″ Round Pipe (inner diameter)	0.010 ft²

Video Tutorials — Anemometer Setup & Testing

Anemometer Setup

How to configure the anemometer for accurate duct measurements

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Anemometer Test Run

Live demonstration of measuring CFM at the dust port connection

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If problems persist after addressing CFM, static pressure, duct adjustment, and leaks, send a video of the anemometer readings at the end of the hoses to our support team for further diagnosis.

Dust Collection Reference Diagram

Harvey Alpha Series — Dust Port Reference

If dust collection issues persist after completing these steps, please contact our support team.