I can spend 10 minutes cleaning it every few months - longer when no real woodworking projects going on My main filter is a CleanStream washable unit in place of the standard paper unit - 7+ years on one filter is fine by me when you start adding up the cost of OEM filters. As a result, I rarely have to clean the main filter in the vac. My vac typically has a bag filter installed to catch anything that gets by the Dust Deputy.
I've been using my Ridgid 14 gallon vac with a Oneida Dust Deputy for portable power tools for a couple of years and was amazed at how well a cyclone works if you can collect the dust right where its generated before it gets airborn - router, sanders, track saw (and anything else really that has a built-in dust port and compatible dust collection accessory) are all good examples. Not sure why, nothing has killed my old vac- not running for hours on end, not even fallling out of the attic (well that broke a wheel off.), damn thing is like 15 years old and still going.
Value added bonus: I save the sawdust for oil spill cleanups (very absorbent)įunny thing is I think I remember in the manual for the craftsman shop vac I have they state: "Not to be used as a dust collection system". I'm not ripping 100's of 2x4's ata time anyway.Ī shop vac certainly wont be as effcient as the dust collector (notice most vacs aren't sealed, fine dust makes its way out the exhaust or under the lid. I just have the pleated paper filter and yes it gets packed with fine dust, but its not a big deal to remove it and shake it out. Occasionally, the basin clogs if a small scrap makes its way down there in that case I use one of them pick up tool/grabber things to reach down past the blade and pull out the piece of scrap. Works great, only thing that dosen't get sucked up is the fine stuff that flys off the top of the saw blade. I simply connect shop vac's hose to that. Built a tapered catch basin/funnel (tapered on four sides) under the saw table, then out of the bottom of the funnel attached a short length of old vac hose with a glued on coupler. I was thinking i could fab up some type of manifold with different sized hose connections that i could plug into the shop vac and connect whatever tool i need to it.īut i was curious how anyone has done this? Do you have a special filter you use with the vac? Should I try and fab some type of funnel type separator that fits in the shopvac or in an exterior container? ideas?
I dont have the space or money to justify a real dust collection system. I have a dcent sized shopvac and i was thinking of trying to figure out a way to use it as a dust collection system when necessary with the table saw, miter saw, belt sander, and any future wood power tools i may accumulate. I just got a table saw and have been doing a lot of woodwork lately, but the sawdust is finding its way into everything. everything in it is set up as temporary or portable as i frequently move every few years when i get new orders. I have a small one car garage that i use for everything from metalwork, vehicle work, woodwork, painting, and everything in between.