a sawdust collection hood for a table saw . the hood has an identical pair of vertical , spaced - apart side panels , an upper cowl mounted between the side panels , a canted nose panel mounted between front portions of the side panels , and a lower cowl that extends rearwardly between the side panels below the upper cowl from a forward edge of the lower cowl disposed over a trailing edge of the nose panel . a pair of side skirts suspended from each of the side panels , extend rearwardly from the nose panel , and are movable between a raised and a lowered position . when placed upon the saw work table , straddling the saw blade , and with side skirts lowered , a work piece moved rearward against the canted nose panel causes the hood to rise . as the work piece progresses rearwardly past the saw blade , the side skirts remain lowered , resting on the work piece , until the work piece just clears the nose panel , whereupon the hood drops down to the work table , raising the skirts relative to the nose panel and closing a gap that would otherwise permit sawdust to escape below the front of the hood . the hood may be pivotally attached to a table saw splitter or , alternatively , may be pivotally attached by a collar joint to an overhead vacuum conduit assembly .