How to make a cyclone dust separator for your shop vac.

[beebear2001]

Why do you have the square hole on the side that has the input hose? What size hole do you cut in the top and bottom to mount the valley flashing?

Thanks ! My vac filter is ALWAYS plugging up!

[robsgaragewoodworkin]

@beebear2001 The valley flashing is 5" wide. The square hole is just because I didn't use a long piece of 2X4. I just used a small piece to drill a hole to support the central vac tube (which is also glued in place with the PL Premium). Check out my other videos to see more detail. Cyclone dust separator 2,3,&4. Best of luck with your build!

[beebear2001]

@robsgaragewoodworkin Thanks Rob for the info. Yes I saw the flashing was 5" but what is the diameter of the hole in the top and bottom pieces that the flashing staples to? Is it the inside diameter of the 5 gallon bucket?

[robsgaragewoodworkin]

@beebear2001 Just a little smaller than the bucket diameter because the wood has to sit on the edge of the bucket. I routed in a groove the size of the bucket (on the bottom) for it to sit and not move around. I also added some weather stripping (white ring on bottom) around the slot to give a tight seal. The weight of the unit keeps it in place and you don't need to lock it onto the bucket. Enjoy your new clog free vac!

[Bob1Mack]

Oh, I'm glad I saw this!

My old vacuum had a couple of little square exhaust ports, that you couldn't put a hose on. My new one is a vacuum/blower, like the one you show. Until I saw this, it never occurred to me that I can plug hoses into BOTH of the holes (intake AND exhaust) at the same time,run the exhaust outside....

Stupiphany! (the realization that how you've always been doing it was really, really stupid.)

I'll be making the changes tomorrow...

Thanks.

[robsgaragewoodworkin]

@Bob1Mack You are very welcome! Enjoy your dust free shop!

[Larenzoid]

I've never heard of PL Premium, is that a brand of epoxy, or is is silicone? Also, why didn't you just cut a hole in the bottom instead of the slit? Wouldn't it still work it the bottom was open to the bucket?

I made one a while back with a 5 gallon bucket and a piece of plywood on top with a 4 inch fitting in the middle and a 2-1/2" fitting out toward the edge. The smaller fitting has an elbow inside to direct the flow. The only thing is that the bucket is needs to be taller.

Larry

[robsgaragewoodworkin]

@Larenzoid PL premium is a brand of construction adhesive that will stick to both the metal and the wood. I tried the simple bucket design also. This set up allows for you to almost fill the bucket, so you can work all day. The simple bucket will let lots of sawdust in the vac once the bucket is about 1/4 full. The slit allows the dust to fall in the bucket and not be drawn back into the vac. I got rid of my 4" industrial dust collector after making the cyclone. Now I use 2 with 2 vacs.

[Larenzoid]

@robsgaragewoodworkin Hey Rob. On mine I think the height has a lot to do with it. Because of the elbow I've put on the intake there is a cyclonic action but it gets stirred up so much in that small bucket that it gets sucked up and goes to the bag. Taller would be better for it. I think I'm going to make something to hook to my big d/c. I wish I had a place where I could put that thing permanently and run piping. I should build a shed outside for the d/c and compressor.

Take 'er easy.

Larry

[robsgaragewoodworkin]

@Larenzoid This is why I'm using this design. No dust at all in the shop vac. I'm working on my garage right now, so stay tuned and I'll show you how I set it all up.

RM

[complex2034]

hi I liked the simplicity of your build.

do you know the efficienty of this type of system over a cone system ?

best regards

[robsgaragewoodworkin]

@complex2034 If you watch the video "cyclone dust separator 4" you will see that you don't even get dust in the vac or on the pleated filter, so I would have to say the performance is equivalent to a store bought cone system. The advantage is the price, making your own will cost you less than 1/2 the price of the store bought cyclones and it's far more durable. 

Thanks for your feedback