Looking for an easy and effective way to keep your workshop clean? Chris Notap has created a project that details how to build a simple cyclone dust collector for your shop vac. Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide that follows Chris’s approach, complete with materials and tools needed for the job.
Materials and Tools Needed
- Two 5 gallon buckets
- Three 1.5″ straight connectors
- One 90-degree 1.5″ fitting
- One 45-degree fitting
- Three short lengths of 1.5″ pipe (1 and 3/8″ long)
- Two 2″ rubber caps
- One small sheet metal screw
- Utility knife
- Tin snips
- Stepper drill bit set
- Cordless drill
- Dremel tool
Step 1: Prepare the Buckets
Start by taking the first bucket and removing the handle. You’ll need to cut off specific pieces just beneath the first ring using a jigsaw or oscillating saw.
Step 2: Smooth the Edges
Next, use a utility knife with a fresh blade to smooth out any burrs on the inside of the bucket. Hold the knife at a 90-degree angle to the surface as a guide. Make several passes around the bucket until the edge is clean and smooth.
Step 3: Create a Seal
Once the edge is smooth, take the modified bucket and flip it over. Fit it into the second bucket, which should create a seal due to the tapered design of the buckets. If it doesn’t fit snugly, go around the edge with the knife a few more times.
Step 4: Mark and Drill Holes
Flip the bucket upside down and choose a low spot on the bottom. Mark a spot half an inch from the side, and then mark the center of the bucket. Use a drill to create a starter hole, and then use tin snips to cut out the hole.
Step 5: Assemble the Pipes
Take two straight couplers and two short pieces of pipe, pushing them into the holes you just cut. From inside the bucket, add the last straight coupling and secure it in place. Then, attach the 90-degree and 45-degree fittings, ensuring to move the factory marks a quarter of an inch away from each other to direct the sawdust downward.
Step 6: Attach the Vacuum Hose
To connect the vacuum hose, use the rubber caps. Place the hose end against the cap, mark it, and cut a hole in the center. Use a Dremel tool to cut it out until you achieve a snug fit. Finally, tighten it down with a gear clamp for a tight seal.
Step 7: Test the Dust Collector
Connect your shop vac to the dust extractor and prepare to test it. Fill the lower bucket with sawdust and watch how effectively it collects while keeping the vacuum filter clean. You’ll notice that even when the lower bucket is full, it won’t pull itself apart thanks to the friction fit.
Conclusion
This simple cyclone dust collector is an effective solution for maintaining a clean workspace. Chris Notap’s step-by-step guide proves that you don’t need complex systems or expensive equipment to achieve great results. With just a few materials and some basic tools, you can create a practical and efficient dust management system for your shop.