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13K views 25 replies 14 participants last post by  mafe 
#1 ·
Dust cyclone - with house hold trash bags blog

Dust cyclone
with house hold trash bags

Yes I got tired of the mess each time I had to clean the shop vac when it was full.
Also I was fascinated by these cyclones, have to admit I am a child.
So when the prices for one of these finally hit the floor here in Europe I had to give it a try.

Had two challenges, one that where my shop is, I have to deliver all trash in 15 liters bags, otherwise our trash suction system jams. Second, I wanted it to be standing under my saw, so it could not be to high.


As said I have been looking for a while, but prices here in Europe was sick.
But then I found a English seller, that sold them for 36 pounds or 50 dollar including shipping, so I made the buy.
Its called the: dust commander dlx, kind of a funny name, sure made me smile.


First step was to make a reinforcement ring, since I wanted to use a double plastic bucket.
It comes with a drill guide, screws and rings for fastening the hoses.


Then sawing the outside diameter.


Drilling the center hole.


Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I went to buy two plastic bucket and they wanted the same price as I have paid for the cyclone, no way!
So I bought two cheap bricklayers buckets at three dollars each.
Guess that leaves me with a reinforcement ring spare…
Well lesson learned.


Off goes the handles.


One of the buckets I will use as a inside holder for plastic trash bags, so this one needed a wee modification.


Top cut off.


Bottom also.


Then a cut down the side.
What a mess in the shop, with this black plastic.


Tadaaaaaa.


Now with a bag.
When I need to empty I will just pull up the inner bucket and close the bag up.


So I need a lid.


And a rabbet to make it fit and tight.
Here routing it out and shaping the diameter also.


Then I drilled a hole in the center and put double sided foam tape.
The template made all the drilling so easy.


Cyclone are now fixed.


Guess we have the parts ready.


Bucket cyclone on the cheap.


Added bolts and wing nuts for making it completely air tight, don't know if it's needed, but I'll try.


Fromm the back.


Here is what this is all about, saw dust.


And the mess when I have to empty the shop vac, especially when I have to put the dust in bags and clean filters.


Need I say why I had a cyclone on my wish list now?


Ok now all cleaned up, also the micro filter on the motor.

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Temporary hose mounts.
Vac goes in the top, machines on the side.
But if you lookat the cyclone you can actually see it works, the spiral line are dust running down the bucket.


A little messy here…


And I said down the bucket!
It seems to work really fine.


Ahhh and the vac are empty. I am more than pleased for now.


Just one problem.
When will I need to empty the bucket?
So I drill a hole in the lid.


And make a plexi glass window.


Double sided tape.


Mounted.


Like this I can look into the bucket if the window don't get too dirty, time will tell.


It fits fine under the saw, next to the vac.


That's it and that's that!
All hooked up and running.

UPDATE:
Tried the cyclone today with the lunch box planer.


Once the cyclone started to get darker, I took the mobile flash light and looked in the window.


Nice clear view, so easy to see when it needs to be emptied.


Bag was full, it only took a moment to open.
My planer makes a mess on the floor even when the vac is running, guess that's the game with a shop vac and not a real 100mm system, but it takes 99,7% of the shaves and all dust, so it's still fair.


Inner bucket ring goes out real easy.


I can close the bag and be back running in a few minutes with a new bag.
So yes I like it!

Perhaps this can inspire others to get lazy.

Best thoughts,

MaFe
 
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#4 ·
Lew, that was my worry also, but it works.
I have a 1200W vac so if I close the hose, the bucket do get a wee deformed, so perhaps I will put a extra bucket inside.
rhybeka, yes I hope also mine will say thanks, I bought it ten years ago or more, so I smile each time I use it.
Thanks,
Mads
 
#7 ·
A very well made and presented post.
I did an even cheaper poor mans WW dust collector many years ago from two buckets, they still work well today.
A word in regard to static electricity, you may need to earth them as I received a huge belt (twice) from mine.
It was enormious a huge crack then a zap which almost unbalanced me, (above the normal)! then as I could not believe it could be so powerfull, I touched it again and guess what!

So some conductive A/C ducting foil tape was applied quickly!
 
#9 ·
Thank you Roger, it was looking dusty before. ;-)
NormG, smiles.
robcastle, I will think of that, thanks.
playing, laughs, yes that's universal.
Best thoughts,
Mads
 
#17 ·
Dust cyclone - upgrade for the bin

Dust cyclone
upgrade for the bin

Just a little upgrade.
The system works really well and I love the easy way to get rid of the dust now.
If I had a bigger shop I would have a bigger bin but for my limited work it is really great.
In fact it's only when I use the thicknesser a lot it is a too small bucket.

But I got tired that a lot fell down the side when I had to empty it, so I made this little easy upgrade.


A piece of thick MDF, marking the center.
In the back you see a white plastic prototype I made.


Marking the outside diameter.


Cutting it to shape on the band saw.


Marking the inside diameter of the dust bag holder.


Cutting the inside with a jig saw.


With an angle to make the dust fall down the bag.


Adding some dowels to keep the bag holder in place.


Drill and glue.


We got a upgrade!
Now the dust will not fall down the sides.
Time to test.


After I filled a bag, it looked like this, almost no dust on the side.


Now it's just to pull the bag holder out.


Yes this is so much better.

Hmmm we learn by doing, learn from mistakes and wanting to do better.

Best thoughts,

MaFe
 
#18 ·
Way to go, Mads. I did something just like that on a 30Gal barrel. I had to put two wooden rings inside the barrel to keep it from being sucked flat when I turned it on. The barrel is very thin sided!!

cheers, my friend!!................Jim
 
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