Shop Vac

[A_Swope]

Is there a way to somehow use a shop vac as a dust collection system.
I looked at real dust collection systems and they are a bit pricey and I have a very limited carving / hobby budget.

[Speeronline]

Check Harbor Freight >> they have a couple for under $100

[A_Swope]

I already have one,
I was just wandering if I could use it as a dust collection system.

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by A_Swope

I already have one,
I was just wandering if I could use it as a dust collection system.

I made one using a Shop Vac, back in the days before I could afford to buy a commercially made one.

First I built a box, using some two by fours or three quarter of an inch ply wood, it's what ever I have lying around at the time.

The bottom can also be made from a sheet of ply wood. The dimensions of this box is up to you. You don't want to make it overly deep, however, so the vacuum can do it's magic.

The top was a piece of Peg Board....you know, it's the stuff with all the holes.

And in to one side of the box, I put a piece of plastic plumbing pipe....you will have to have the diameter that will fit in to the end of your Shop Vac hose.

It's always so much fun to make things that can be used in one's shop.

[A_Swope]

Could you post a picture to give me a better idea?
I think I Know what you mean but I'm not sure.

[dennybell]

I know a guy who run his whole shop off two shop vacs, and it was in his basement! The system was the same as it would be for a regular exhaust system, but it plugged into a shop vac. I have a large system in my shop, but still use a shop vac for some of the portable or remote machines. It works fine as long as you keep the filter clean.

Denny

[Lynn O. Doughty]

The secret of any good shop vac system is the cone which directs the dust into the bin and not through the vaccum. I built a whole-shop system using a $150 vaccum motor, a sheet of 3/4" plywood and aluminum ducting. Unfortunately, I no longer have the plans and the magazine that had the plans is no longer published. The dust comes into the cone and is directed down into a barrel while the blower unit blows out clean air at the top. Works like a dream.

[A_Swope]

Thanks for the info,
I'll try what you said Dull Knife

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by A_Swope

Could you post a picture to give me a better idea?
I think I Know what you mean but I'm not sure.

Sorry, it's not around any more.....I used it until I could afford a commercial unit.....I guess you're just going to have to use your imagination.

That's some thing that I love to do....figure out how to make stuff. It keeps your brain alive....and keeping Alzheimers away.

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by Dull Knife

Sorry, it's not around any more.....I used it until I could afford a commercial unit.....I guess you're just going to have to use your imagination.

That's some thing that I love to do....figure out how to make stuff. It keeps your brain alive....and keeping Alzheimers away.

Well.....on second thought....here's a suggestion on how you might make your own.

The following is not the dimensions that I used when I made my box, a number of years ago. I don't remember what they were at that time.

I'd start with some three quarter inch pine boards, six to 7 inches deep by sixteen inches long by 10 inches wide.

Glue and nail all four corners together.

Then you're going to need some thing for the bottom, maybe a piece of light ply wood, or what ever you have around your shop.

Propbably you'll have to go to the lumber yard for the pine and the top piece with the holes in it and the piece of plumbing pipe to fit the end of your Shop Vac hose.

Hope this helps you to make your own.