Keeping dust out of table height adjustments

[manvelar]

I find it necessary to disassemble and clean impacted sawdust out of part 170 (see http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/partscat/carriage510_520_expview.htm ) - the little gear that rides on the square shaft that engages the gear tack on the table riser tubes. It doesn't take soo long for those little gears to accumulate some sawdust and after adjusting the table up and down several times, it packs it into the teeth tightly and it gets pretty hard to make table height adjustments. Of course, as soon as I clean out the sawdust with a wire brush, the table works like new again. I'm open to suggestions. :confused:

Is there some way to stop the dust from accumulating there - I know it's an impossible question, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

[Bruce]

Do you use a dust collector? I know a dc won't get all the dust, but I haven't had the problem you mention and I use a dc.

[berry]

I've had some problems in that area as well and I always use the DC.

Now, before lowering the table, I quickly brush any accumulated dust from between the teeth of the table legs. It has helped me keep that lower gear clean and operating freely.

[manvelar]

This is embarassing - the dust collector is the obvious solution. I use it along with the guards with the saw blade, but for some reason, when sanding with the disc sander I don't -- and it makes sense that this would be THE time to use it to prevent my problem. Thanks for the tips - now I've got a flat forehead from smacking myself. Duh! :)