Dust collection with shop vac

[wreckwriter]

Talking to a friend about setting my Rigid vac (6 gal) up as a DC system; he says I need some sort of bag around the filter or it will clog constantly. Is he right?

[gjbivin]

I have a 12 gal. Rigid and yes, the filter clogs up after a while. I've heard that an old nylon stocking or panty hose pulled over the filter will keep a lot of the junk out of it. The bag will work also, but will probably cut down the airflow somewhat. I've gotten resigned to knocking and brushing out the filter folds when needed; Last time, I washed it with a hose, which pretty much restored it to like-new condition.

I think you're going to find that a 6-gallon vac is too small to be a good DC; although we all have to do with what we have . Even a large shop vac can't keep up with the volume of chips and dust from a planer or joiner.

[sacherjj]

I tried to find the thread where I described the bag, but I don't have much time to search, being at work. Short answer: If you use a bag, life is soooo much better and you will have a good suction for longer. Otherwise, you have to keep stopping the shop vac to clean out the filter.

[wreckwriter]

Thanks for the reply. So far the only use will be for my 3100, one hose to the main port and Y to the Shark Guard, blast gate on lower hose so I can swap from Shark to router attachment. I'm thinking it will keep up with this.

[don_hart]

Shop vac makes a foam cover for there filters and these will also fit some of the filters used by other vendors.

[jziegler]

Talking to a friend about setting my Rigid vac (6 gal) up as a DC system; he says I need some sort of bag around the filter or it will clog constantly. Is he right?

I've been using that vac with my BT since I bought it. I also use it with my router table. You pretty much need to clean out the filter every time you dump the vac out. And that is much sooner than you will want to with the small vac. The bag isn't needed, but I've been thinking of trying to find one.

I also reccommend replacing the filter with the HEPA filter that they sell. That way you filter out the harmful fine dust.

It definately does not seem to be a premanent solution, but is better than no dust collection.

-Jim

[sacherjj]

I've gone through three bags with my shopvac (6.5 A 12 or 16 Gal) and I haven't had to clean the filter at all. The only time I had to clean the filter is from when I ran it without a bag. After that, no more. It is worth the $3 a bag for the lack of work and clean emptying.

[wreckwriter]

I've gone through three bags with my shopvac (6.5 A 12 or 16 Gal) and I haven't had to clean the filter at all. The only time I had to clean the filter is from when I ran it without a bag. After that, no more. It is worth the $3 a bag for the lack of work and clean emptying.

You using standard bags made by shopvac or something specific?

[scorrpio]

I have two filters for my 12 gal Ridgid. Filters are washable, so when one clogs up, I open up the vac, swap the filter, and then vacuum the dust off the dirty filter. Then wash the filter, let it dry off, and set aside until I need to swap it in.

I tossed the original filter - I have two of their 1-micron filters.

[wreckwriter]

I have two filters for my 12 gal Ridgid. Filters are washable, so when one clogs up, I open up the vac, swap the filter, and then vacuum the dust off the dirty filter. Then wash the filter, let it dry off, and set aside until I need to swap it in.

I tossed the original filter - I have two of their 1-micron filters.

My filter appears to be paper, I wouldn't think washable. I've been using the cheapie general purpose filters up to now, just using it as a vacuum. Now with this new use I'll recheck options.

[scorrpio]

All these filteres are marked 'Washable and reusable' - even the basic pleated paper one. Says so on the box. Which means if you wash it and it gets messed up, you can return it for being defective.

[scottjbs]

You need to look for "CleanStream" Filters. They are sold at Sears, and at Lowe's I know. HD sells the bags , and you can just use the one that is made for the 4 Gallon Vac i'm sure. The CleanStream filters are HEPA and run about $30. Sears has them on clearance right now if you can find one to fit. Also, the Lowe's sells a CleanStream that will fit Ridgid models also. Mattter of fact, it says it right on the box in red background, "Fits Ridgid and Shop-vac models."

[burrellski]

Picked up a Ridgid compatible Cleanstream at Sears for $8 last week. Had to dig to find it. Just look for the red markings on the box. It doesn't specifically say Ridgid, but it fits fine. Everything else was black.

I've been doing a lot with MDF lately, and the Cleanstream did ok compared to the regualr filter. Plugged as quickly as the stock, but cleaned out much quicker/easier/better. I did not have a bag on the filter. Maybe thats something I should look into. Anyway, definately worth the $8, probably not the $30.

[JTimmons]

Something else you may consider that I had hooked up to my Rigid 12 gal. is one of these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=9586

I got mine at Woodcraft and paid twice as much for it, but it worked quite well along with a foam filter.

[wreckwriter]

Something else you may consider that I had hooked up to my Rigid 12 gal. is one of these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=9586

I got mine at Woodcraft and paid twice as much for it, but it worked quite well along with a foam filter.

Interesting. That goes in line between vac and dust hose?