Shop Vac Sawdust Collection setup?

[dbhost]

Okay I bit the bullet. I put my Shop Vac Hangup on Craigslist, and picked up a 12 gallon 5 HP 2.5" Hose Ridgid Wet Dry Vac. I have tested it pulling planer shavings MUCH faster than the planer can produce them, and I figure I won't use it with more than one tool at a time, and the planer is the biggest culprit. I also used it to pick up fine sanding dust and no dust shot up in the air. Of course I am no environmental specialist or anything...

I was hoping to pipe some tubes to the front of the garage, and keep the vac outside while it is running... I saw that Shop Vac has a piping system 801-75-11. But I am wondering how to connect from the tubes, to the tools themselves. It looks like the tubes openings are sized like the fat end of the extension wands. I Figure I am going to need hoses with a smaller end on each end, instead of one big one small...

I think my questions are...

#1. Where can I get the right hoses to set this up?
#2. How can I adapt from the 2.5" hose to the miter saw, and sanders?
#3. How can I adapt from the 2.5" hose to the 1.25" dust port on the router table?
#4. Is there a filter for the Ridgid Wet Dry vac to keep it from blowing the fine dust all over the place?

[Bill in Buena Park]

Okay I bit the bullet. I put my Shop Vac Hangup on Craigslist, and picked up a 12 gallon 5 HP 2.5" Hose Ridgid Wet Dry Vac. I have tested it pulling planer shavings MUCH faster than the planer can produce them, and I figure I won't use it with more than one tool at a time, and the planer is the biggest culprit.

I decided to try a CM shopvac, the 16gal 6.5h model - Like you, I am very satisfied with how it collects the shavings from my planer.

I also used it to pick up fine sanding dust and no dust shot up in the air. Of course I am no environmental specialist or anything...

To facilitate fine dust capture, and why I went specifically to the 16gal model, I can use a filter bag in the tank, which I believe I can purchase from Sears or any other purveyor of ~16gal shopvac bags. I also upgraded the vac filter cartridge to the 1 micron model.

I was hoping to pipe some tubes to the front of the garage, and keep the vac outside while it is running... I saw that Shop Vac has a piping system 801-75-11. But I am wondering how to connect from the tubes, to the tools themselves. It looks like the tubes openings are sized like the fat end of the extension wands. I Figure I am going to need hoses with a smaller end on each end, instead of one big one small...

For piping/ducting, have you considered using comparably sized PVC?

#1. Where can I get the right hoses to set this up? For long distances, hoses or ducting with a smooth interior and gentle curves produces the least resistance. Avoid flex hoses and sharp turns.

#2. How can I adapt from the 2.5" hose to the miter saw, and sanders?

You might try this: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917837000P

#3. How can I adapt from the 2.5" hose to the 1.25" dust port on the router table?

I use this: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916999000P

#4. Is there a filter for the Ridgid Wet Dry vac to keep it from blowing the fine dust all over the place?

Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with the model or it's accessories - but you might check this out - http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...3+90048+527240

[rcp612]

But I am wondering how to connect from the tubes, to the tools themselves. It looks like the tubes openings are sized like the fat end of the extension wands. I Figure I am going to need hoses with a smaller end on each end, instead of one big one small...

I think my questions are...

#2. How can I adapt from the 2.5" hose to the miter saw, and sanders?
#3. How can I adapt from the 2.5" hose to the 1.25" dust port on the router table?

If I understand your questions right, I found this http://www.amazon.com/Fein-921072K13...2234436&sr=8-1 to be the best adaptor to the various sizes needed. Relatively in-expensive too. That's my opinion anyways.

[cwithboat]

I bought the 2.5" piping kit from Rockler then adapted each of the tools through a gate supplied in the kit using scrap wood "donut" reducers cut on the drill press. Most of my non-2.5" tools have 1" ports. I found cheap 1" corrugated hose at home depot to complete connections.

[eccentrictinkerer]

I picked up the whole system here for $40!

http://www.shopvac.com/detail.asp?id=393

[steve-norrell]

. . . . . picked up a 12 gallon 5 HP 2.5" Hose Ridgid Wet Dry Vac.

#4. Is there a filter for the Ridgid Wet Dry vac to keep it from blowing the fine dust all over the place?

I am using a 20 gal. Shop-Vac with the 2 1/2 connector kits (from Rockler or Woodcraft) and am completely satisfied with the results. IMHO, no Shop-Vac will do quite the job that a real DC will do, but it can come close.

As to your last question: You should be able to get 'dry wall' rated filters for the Ridgid and/or a HEPA filter to fit over the motor housing. I use both and have little or no problem with "redistribution" of the really fine dust.

Although no system will capture 100% of the dust, miter saws are an especially difficult problem. Collection for routers and sanders is pretty good when the appropriate connectors are used (as noted in other replys). Collection above the router table, with a dust port on the fence, is a huge help.

Regards, Steve

[dkerfoot]

My experience is that on a single 2.5" port, my 5HP Shop-Vac does BETTER than my 2HP HF DC. It may do marginally better on my tablesaw (CM 21829) connected to both the lower DC port and the Sharkguard, but even that is debatable. The physics of reducing the DC airflow to a 2.5" port just don't work well.

The DC does do much better on my router table with the 4" port. It also does much better (though still lousy) when connected to a shroud I added to my CMS.

The DC is probably the one power tool purchase I regret, only because my space is at such a premium that it doesn't earn it's footprint, compared to a shopvac I can mount overhead.

[dbhost]

That Sawdust Collection system from Shopvac is exactly what I am planning on getting. I think I have the reducers figured out. I have the Jet ones. and I have cut one down to the closest size I can find, V- slit it, then hose clamp them down (They are going to stay on the tool anyway).

The only item I need to get to now is where to get small end 2.5 hose fittings. The hose itself seems to be REALLY commonly available. I am pretty sure I can get hose from Ace Hardware on the cheap... I figure my setup would be something like this...

Shop Vac in niche next to mechanics box, If there is a way to figure out how to tee the system with blast gates there, run one leg over to the workbench area, and the other to the front of the garage behind the storage shelves with 3 drops each. I would use 2 of those kits BTY...

I am pretty sure I can use one Y, with a blast gate at each end to split them, but I get lost there...

[Dutchman46]

fine dust

What i do is to take white insulation, and wrap it around the filter. Hold it in place with two or three rubberbsnds. If you usse the 16 by 3 1/2, aand pull it in half the thickness will be 1 1/4 in. Even with ther fine dust, the vacumn will not have to be empied for a long time, and the filter that i use (standard) will not get fine dust traped in it, it stays in the insulation materialand you can replace that. Works great

[JoeyGee]

Dutch, what exactly is this white insulation that you refer to?

[dbhost]

Okay, I think I have it licked.

To get the movement I want with the sanders (the other tools can be reached by moving the vac easily), I grabbed a Ridgid 7 foot extension hose. Even if this hose ends up too short, I have the snap in fittings to take in and get stuffed into a longer chunk of hose, or simply buy a third, but I digress. The system thus far looks like this...

Ridgid 12 gallon shop vac. I know I will empty it a LOT when using the planer, but that is what I expected.

Ridgid 7 foot extension hose.

Lineman's Rubber splicing tape to simply build up the diameter of the DC outlet on the miter saw. It squishes a little, and gives a nice tight seal.

2 Ridgid step adapters, and just the right amount of Dremel work to clearance for the DC outputs. One cut at the 1" I.D. step, and one at the 1.5" I.D. step. The 1.5" is probably going to get some more Dremel work as soon as I can find some nice thick O rings to slip on the Ryobi sanders. The 1" is a snug fit on the Skil sander. And the linesman rubber splicing tape may come into play on these as well...

My few remaining "major tools" to pick up are a Band Saw. (Most likely a Grizzly 14") a bench top jointer, and a lathe. The lathe is going to be the biggest problem. The bandsaw has a 4" DC port, but I don't feel bad necking it down for 2.5". And the jointer can be had with a 2.5" DC port so no biggie there. The lathe on the other hand has chunks flying everywhere, and DC on those is next to impossible. Not even sure I am going to try with that...

FOR NOW, I am done, ish.... I need a 1.25" to 2.5" reducing adapter to adapt to my router table (Wolfcraft table, nothing fancy), and that is it for the time being.

The Sawdust Collection system WILL be coming in the long run. But I need to build a shed first to get yard / garden junk as well as camping gear out of my shop.

Thanks for the ideas and encouragement guys. Now I can get back to work building my sleds for the planer, and drawers for my kitchen.

[Iansaws]

Sounds like my plans

I am "in the process" of building my shop and my plan has been to do just as you are suggesting. I got the 5 HP Ridgid Vac at HD last Thanksgiving for a song and have been collecting the components for the system i want to configure. I acquired several reducing adapters from Shop-Vac as well as another DC "kit" (I already got one from Craigslist along with a Hang-Out vac). My plan is to put the vac outside the shop so that dust will not be a problem. I may put a "trap/collector" on the inside just for ease of emptying the waste. Also I found a device at HD when I bought the Ridgid vac, that is meant to be used to control landscape lighting remotely for about $10 on sale. It is a simple device about 3 inches by 6 inches with a short power cord and 2 outlets. The box, along with a 2-button remote, allows the power to be switched on and off to whatever is plugged-in to it. The remote range is adequate for my purposes and the amp rating is more than adequate as well. It works like a charm. If I only had a remote at each tool that was connected to the vac system it would be perfect. Maybe I can get one form the manufacturer. As it is, I just take the remote to whatever tool I am using and am able to turn the vac on and off with ease between cuts. It is very convenient.

[wbsettle]

dbhost, you should be able to get the 2.5-1.25 adapter at HD. I got an accessory kit (don't see it on the web site) that included a 1.25" hose, the 2.5"-1.25" adapter, and various nozzles for a little under $20. HD/Lowes should also have various other apapters, including the 2.5" that steps all the way down to 1" that was linked to earlier.

FWIW, I mostly bought the kit for the 1.25" hose...it works better for me than the 2.5" hose when using freehand tools such as router and sander.

-Brent

[dbhost]

I am not allergic to using a 1.25" hose for those "Freehand" tools as you say... A lot less bulk flying around behind me for sure! I know the kit you are talking about. A 2.5" to 1.25" adapter, nozzle kit with the wide sweep, narrow sweep, crevice tool, and detail brush. The 1.25" hose I think was only 5 feet long though...

Assuming for a moment, that I get my shelves, lawn gear, camping gear, and BBQ stuff out to a newly constructed shed, and free up that wall, I can set it up like this...

Shop Vac in back right corner. Y fitting at about 3 feet up with with the offshot leg going to just between the workbench and the pegboard. total run there 12 feet (4 tubes). 2 drops. Both more or less multi use. Blast gate to shut off that entire leg. Upright leg goes to a 90 and shoots down the right long wall, along that wall, are 4 drops. 1 every 4 feet. Those drops each have a blast gate, and would feed...

#1. Compound Miter Saw. (Need to swap 2.5" click type hose end for small slip fit to make it work).
#2. Planer on a custom built (in progress now) stand. (Need 2nd extension hose with doulbe slip ends).
#4. Table Saw. This needs to stretch to the middle of the shop floor. I am looking for a double slip fit end hose, or slip fit end adapters. I can find 2.5" corrugated vac hose without ends all day long. Anyone have any suggestions on where to get the fittings?
#5. The upcoming bandsaw. The fitting for this should be as CLOSE to the garage door as possible. So if I need to, I can swipe the table saw hose and use this fitting to use e the shop vac to clean my truck. I will need the same deal on the extension hose as #2. I will also most likely need to figure out a way to reduce from a 4" chute to a 2.5" hose. A band saw should NOT produce that much waste so I don't see why they put those huge ports on them...

For now rolling tool to tool is okay, but not ideal. I am working on getting to that ideal place with my shop. Where I don't have to share space with everything else while I build stuff...

[wbsettle]

The 1.25" hose I think was only 5 feet long though...

I'll have to check the next time I'm out in the shop, but I'm pretty sure it's longer than 5'...maybe the same 7' as the extension hose you purchased. It's definitely easier to handle when freehanding than the 2.5" hose...tigher radiuses, more flexibility, and less mass pulling against the tool.

-Brent