Installing & Using the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory – Bantam Tools

Our Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory attaches directly to the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine’s spindle house, allowing for live vacuuming to increase chip evacuation and decrease clean-up time. It’s quick to install into your machine and will manage both chips and fine dust.

In this guide, we will cover:

When to use the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory
The anatomy of the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory
How to install and set up the accessory in the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine
Performing tool changes while using the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory
Deinstallation

When to Use the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory

The Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory minimizes debris (chips and fine dust) generated by milling. Some examples of when to use the accessory include:

CNC woodworking
Milling deep pockets
Running long operations where you can’t or don’t want to pause your job to vacuum
Roughing operations
Any job that generates fine dust

Anatomy of the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory

Let’s take a closer look at the different parts of the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory. If you’ve used dust boot vacuums like this before, feel free to skip ahead to the next section.

Required Materials

2.5mm Allen Key
2mm Allen Key
Tape (Optional: painters tape or duct tape will do)

Installing the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory

Connect the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine to your computer, load the Bantam Tools Milling Machine Software, and home the machine.

To install the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum, complete the following steps:

1. Using the Jog tab in the Bantam Tools software, move the XZ-carriage all the way to the right of the machine. If needed, raise the Z-axis to its maximum height.

2. Using a 2.5 mm hex key, remove the port cover on the back, left side of the machine and store it somewhere safe, so you can reinstall it later.

3. Insert the vacuum hose into the vacuum adapter. It will look like this:

4. With the adapter’s nozzle facing outward,run the hose inside the machine along the back wall, over the spindle house on the right side of the stepper motor.

6. If you’re preparing to run a job on the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine, install your end mill before installing the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory. For more guidance on installing a tool, see our Installing & Locating a Tools guide.

7. Using your 2mm Allen key, remove the Bantam Tools rooster badge from the spindle house assembly and set aside two of the screws. Save the other two screws and the badge for reinstallation later.

8. Line up the holes on the dust boot with the bottom two holes on the spindle house. Like this:

9. Insert the screws into the holes and slide the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory as far up as it will go before starting to tighten. This will ensure the dust boot fits snugly into place. Be sure not to overtighten the screws. The dust boot will stay in place without much pressure.

10. Attach the hose to the nozzle on the dust boot.

11. Attach the hose to your vacuum onto the adapter’s nozzle. The adapter's nozzle is 1” in diameter, which will fit most shop vacuums. If you have a vacuum with tubing that is either a bit too small or too large, you can attach it to the nozzle using tape (e.g., duct tape or painter’s tape).

Alright! You’ve installed the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory. Now it’s time to plug in your vacuum, finish setting up your job in the Bantam Tools Milling Machine Software, and start milling. Once you turn on your vacuum, if you place your hand on the bristles, you will feel suction.

Warning: Fine dust generated during milling operations holds an electric charge and potentially cause a fire. To ensure you're operating the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine safely, make sure the vacuum is grounded. Check to make sure your plug has 3 prongs. Plugging a 3-prong plug into a 3-hole plug will provide grounding

Switching Tools

To perform a tool change, the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory must first be removed from the spindle house because it prevents you from reaching the collet nut with the collet wrenches.

In order to swap in a new tool:

Head to the Jog tab on the Bantam Tools Milling Machine Software and click the Install Tool button.
Unplug the hose from the dust boot.
Remove the screws attaching the dust boot to the spindle house, detach and remove the unit from the machine.
From here the standard tool installation and locating procedure can take place
Once the new tool is installed, perform steps 8 and 9 outlined in the installation section.

Uninstalling the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory

To uninstall the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Vacuum Accessory, complete the following steps:

Unplug the hose from the dust boot.
Remove the two screws holding the dust boot in place (set them aside for the next step) and remove the dust boot from the machine.
Attach the Bantam Tools rooster badge onto the spindle house assembly starting with the top left screw, followed by the bottom right screw before attaching the last two.
Unscrew the hose adapter from the back, left side of the machine. Remove the entire assembly hose and all.
Replace the original side cap.

Additional Cleaning Resources

Here are additional cleaning resources we recommend for you to check out. They will help you keep your Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine clean, prolong its tool life, and keep it working optimally. Remember, a clean machine is a happy machine.