| Project by Sir_Robert | posted 1759 days ago | 2440 views | 11 times favorited | 17 comments | ![]() |
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I got a bright idea at the neighbor’s swimming pool the other day, watching kids play with those long foam noodles. I bought one for about three bucks, cut it into sections about 8 inches each, and used them to make couplers for my vacuum hoses and power tool dust ports.
The neat thing about the noodles is that they already have a hole in the center and they are flexible. This means you don’t have to spend a bundle at the tool store for specially sized adaptors to fit each tool’s dust port.
-- Sir Robert
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17 comments so far
Dan M
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121 posts in 2116 days
#1 posted 1759 days ago
Now that’s what I call using the ol’ noodle!
(sorry .. I truly couldn’t resist)
-- Dan M, SW Suburbs, Chicago IL
RobS
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1331 posts in 2478 days
#2 posted 1759 days ago
Neat trick, thanks for sharing the in-foam-ation. ha!
-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX
Kevin
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293 posts in 2130 days
#3 posted 1759 days ago
Now that is a great idea. So cheap, yet so useful.
I will be looking for my noodle now.
-- Kevin, Wichita, Kansas
MrWoody
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304 posts in 1946 days
#4 posted 1759 days ago
Sir Robert, you are my knight in shining armour.
What fantastic solution to one of my pet peeves. (No uniformity in dust collection ports).
-- If we learn from our mistakes, I'm getting a fantastic education.
HokieMojo
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2085 posts in 1900 days
#5 posted 1759 days ago
much better than messy duct tape
Texasgaloot
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464 posts in 1872 days
#6 posted 1759 days ago
Brilliant, and in sexy colors as well!
Furthermore, they have to be a real plus in case your tools fall in the pool!
-- There's no tool like an old tool...
SteveKorz
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2119 posts in 1886 days
#7 posted 1759 days ago
Bouy-O-Bouy, looks like you put a plan into foam-ation… lol… great tip
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †
Tim from Iowa City
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209 posts in 1772 days
#8 posted 1759 days ago
Interesting tip. I may have to try that. I’ll have to take a look at some of my sanders, biscuit jointer, and the like. Thanks for sharing.
-- Tim from Iowa City, IA
Greg Wurst
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769 posts in 2004 days
#9 posted 1759 days ago
Would not have thought of that, but I’m stopping-by Wally World for a noodle now!
-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.
Lee A. Jesberger
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6501 posts in 2151 days
#10 posted 1759 days ago
I think Dan M should win some kind of prize for his comment.
Good thinking,
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Grumpy
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17849 posts in 2023 days
#11 posted 1758 days ago
Sir Robert, thats a great idea. Thanks
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Christopher
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570 posts in 2092 days
#12 posted 1732 days ago
great idea! Does it collapse under the suction?
Sir_Robert
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51 posts in 1923 days
#13 posted 1731 days ago
Christopher,
On a butt-end fit (same diameter hose and port) If you cut the noodle to the combined length of both pieces being joined, there is no stress on the noodle. It just serves as a sleeve to hold the hose end and the port together.
On an ID/OD fit-up (see the bandsaw application in another project) the noodle is squeeqed between the OD of the vacuum hose end and the ID of the bandsaw dust port, so it’s compacted enough where it can withstand the suction.
I would not recommend noodles as part of your dust collection ductwork. They’re too flimsy and will collapse from internal suction.
One last thought: If the noodle fit is loose, shoot a SMALL AMOUNT of Great Stuff® or similar expanding foam product in to fill the gap. DON’T use Gorilla Glue® unless you want a permanent bond!
-- Sir Robert
CraftsmanCollective
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46 posts in 1734 days
#14 posted 1719 days ago
Very clever..
-- Robby Myer, Walnut Creek, CA
AaronK
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1366 posts in 1636 days
#15 posted 1448 days ago
hah. i was just looking at these in the store thinking that there MUST be some “use” for these things. very nice. thanks!
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