This project was built and designed by John from John Builds It. It’s a smart way to organize your dust collection setup while keeping it mobile and compact for a smaller workspace.
If you’re looking for practical shop upgrades, John’s approach is efficient, budget-conscious, and well thought out. His design incorporates off-the-shelf parts with custom woodworking to make the most of available space.
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Why This Cart Makes Sense
Managing dust in a small shop can be a challenge, especially when your tools and storage areas compete for floor space. A dedicated cart for your dust separator keeps everything together and easy to move.
By pairing the Dustopper with a Ridgid vacuum, John created a system that’s both effective and easy to transport. This build also minimizes cleanup time, helping you stay focused on your work.
Design Features
The cart design takes full advantage of the existing features on the Ridgid vacuum. John reused the vacuum’s built-in casters, which saved cost and simplified the mobility aspect.
Using these built-in parts allowed him to focus more on the top platform and separator connection. This kept the overall footprint small while still offering solid performance.
Materials and Components
The structure of the cart is made from plywood, offering strength and ease of cutting. PVC fittings were used to route dust between the Dustopper and the vacuum.
The main elements include a plywood base and top, one-and-a-half-inch PVC pipe for airflow, and furniture-grade caps for attaching vertical supports.
Preparing and Connecting Components
To start, John cuts the plywood base and top to size, shaping the top to hold the Dustopper bucket snugly. Accurate sizing keeps the bucket stable while the vacuum is running.
For the dust collection path, John originally tested two-inch pipe but found it was too large. Switching to one-and-a-half-inch PVC provided a better fit and improved performance.
Assembly Details
The PVC legs are attached to the plywood top using sturdy caps, allowing them to be bolted into place. These legs not only support the top platform but also provide the vertical clearance needed for the Dustopper.
With the legs in place, John secures them to the plywood base. The result is a compact, rigid frame that’s light enough to move but strong enough to hold everything in place.
The Dustopper bucket is mounted tightly into the top opening. This helps prevent shifting during use, keeping the system stable even when rolling across the shop floor.
Portability and Practical Use
One key benefit of this cart is how easily it can be disassembled for transport or storage. The legs detach from the base without tools, making it ideal for small or shared workshops.
The combination of low cost, small footprint, and solid airflow makes this a valuable upgrade for any workspace. It’s a straightforward way to make shop cleanup more efficient.
Why This Cart Works
Dust collection is one of those shop needs that’s often overlooked until it becomes a problem. John’s cart solves this with a low-profile, all-in-one system that stays out of the way but gets the job done.
Instead of building a bulky station, he kept things modular and flexible. That’s a big win for woodworkers who need to rearrange their setups frequently.
Want to See the Full Build?
Please support John by viewing all his plans here: https://www.johnbuildsit.com/plans.