Wanted to share something I tried that worked out well -- might help someone out there.

The chip collection box for my Vega didn't have anything to protect shattered turnings from going through the dust collector. I used a steel grate for a while but it was too restrictive and clogged easily, so I thought something thin but strong would be best. Mono came to mind.

I took a dust collector collar and layed it down on a sheet of 1/4" graph paper. I marked the outer ring of the collar at regular intervals and drilled small holes. I used a long piece of 30 lb mono and strung it up and down, left and right, weaving where it intersected, to create a strong mesh.

Best part is the mono barely restricts the airflow.

Do you have a chip separator? Its worth the price of a trash can if you have a nice dust collector to protect.

I'm lazy and let everything get sucked up.

I don't. Not sure I could add one now the way the run is layed-out to the lathe.