tool - low cost cyclone dust collector

Very Cool, amazing what you can accomplish with a little research, huh? I like the outcome and would be interested in the plans if not too much trouble.

-- Jed,Ala,jmwoodworks057.com

Michael,

How does this compare to using a shop vac with one of the cyclone adapters for 55G drums? What happens if the intake is plugged for a few seconds?

Charlie H.

-- "Those are my principals, if you don't like them....I have others." - Groucho Marx

I have had several issues with my design, and worked through each problem to create a really decent cycloone dust collector.

the first issue i had was with the Rubbermaid lower can imploding, and in the first picture you can see the screws used to affix gussets to the inside of the can. these gave the can rigidity and still allowed to can to flex under vacuum.

the second major issue was updraft up through the lower can into the cyclone which pushed dust and chips up into the vacuum. i corrected this with 1” rubber weather stripping around the lid.

i am happy to state that approximately 99.5% of all the dust is emptied into the lower container, and the upper container only ever sees the finest of the dust particles. i have filled the lower 35gal container 3 full times and have only had to tap off the upper filter once. that is the purpose of the cyclone.

i would like to release a set of plans for my design, as i feel it is effective, low cost, and lots of fun building additional functionality into something you already have (shop vac), if enough people are interested i would seriously consider making a second version with what i have learned and releasing the details.

michael hacker

oh… Microsuffer: i haven’t anything to compare my design too, but i can definitely tell you mine was cheaper to build (approximately $100 – 120). as for blocking off the intake port, the vacuum spools up louder, the lower can implodes a little bit, but no seals are broken or any other detrimental effects. and i have tested this for 2mins. i will also state that extended ON sessions obviously put a strain on the shop vacuum, but i have used it for at least an hour on the jointer with out any negative effects, just let it cool down.

Ver very creative and cool. What information/design criteria did you use to size the cyclone.

-- Sharp tools and thin whispy shavings make woodworking a joy.

I put in a Clearvue cyclone about a year ago. It is powered by a 3 hp, 3 phase, Delta blower and 6” ducting to each machine. The best thing I did was to put a 4 inch hose to the Excalibur table saw blade guard and another 4” to the base of the Unisaw. I really think the counterbalanced blade guard with the 4” flexible ducting is the most important part of the system on the table saw.
I have decided that the best place to collect the dust is as close to the source as possible so I have my 18” bandsaw with the entire 6” duct placed just under the table as close as possible to the lower blade guides.

Some dust does collect inside the saw base on both saws but hitting that area with the shop vac about every 5 or so hours of sawing takes care of that. The important thing is to catch the fine dust befor it enters my lungs.

I put the cyclone an blower in a lean-to on the outside of my shop and us NO filter on the blower’s output and have yet to detecy anything exiting the unit. I empty the 55 gal barrel when it is about 2/3 full.

I’m very happy with the setup but am still fine tuning the hookup the the jointer, drum sander, drill press and Inca bandsaw. I’m not too concerned about the jointer and drill press as they produce mostly wood chips, not dust.

-- Abe Low, Fine furniture, Sacramento, CA

Very impressive! Thank you for sharing. I’ll have to see if we can work one into our workshop.

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe

I’ve been thinking about getting a Clearvue cyclone for a shop vac, but like to build things myself (sometimes to a fault). I’d be interested in the plans if you would put them up. Thanks for stoking my brain on this one!

-- Finding satisfaction in creation