Dust extractor with flat back

A dust extractor for a drill comprising:

• a housing having at least one aperture;
• a single air flow path formed within the housing;
• a shroud connected to the housing, the shroud comprising an internal chamber for collecting dust generated by the cutting of a work piece, the chamber being in fluid communication with a first end of the single air flow path;
• a filter assembly located in the single air flow path through which air flowing through the single air flow path in either direction passes;
• a fan connected to a second end of the single air flow path and arranged to draw or blow air through the single air flow path, the fan having blades that are adjustable between at least two orientations, the air being blown in a first direction through the fan when the blades are in a first orientation, and the air being blown in a second direction when the blades are in a second orientation;
• a motor for driving the fan, the motor and the fan arranged within the housing between the filter and the at least one aperture in the housing;
• and
• an air flow control mechanism configured to control a direction of air flow generated by the fan in the single air flow path in either the first direction from the first end to the second end of the single air flow path, during a normal operation of the dust extractor, or in the second direction from the second end to the first end of the single air flow path during a back flush operation of the dust extractor;
• wherein, during the normal operation of the dust extractor, the fan draws air and entrained debris from the internal chamber of the shroud through the single air flow path towards the fan, the air passing through the filter assembly to remove the entrained debris;
• and
• wherein, during the back flush operation of the dust extractor, the fan blows air and entrained debris through the single air flow path towards the shroud, the air passing through the filter assembly to remove the entrained debris.