I solved the upper dust issue with another (two hose connections by using a single to dual outlet) vac intake mounted on the saw arm with a brush attachment that handles most of the dust -- being from the south (NC), I'm fairly good at "shade-tree mechanics" -- pictures later this week. I'm currently working on installing an outlet for our in-house (Beam) vacuum system to handle all of my shop needs -- noise from the portable vacuum was getting to be too much. Beam unit is upstairs in the garage, workshop in the basement, and noise will be minimal (if any)?
Thanks for all the input and I'm looking forward to learning from you more experienced folks -- (probably) information overload, but we purchased this home in June 2013 after spending about 10 years on the road as RV gypsies and we've been occupied with fixing up our new "nest", so my time for hobbies has been limited until recently.
Thanks again,
John