Up until recently, I’ve just been using a regular old Shop Vac for dust collection and I used to constantly have to replace my filter because it would bet so clogged with fine dust that the vac would lose suction. Last year, I added an Oneida Dust Deputy cyclone to improve my shop vac dust collection and it made a world of difference.
I didn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a big dust collection system so I did some research and decided to try a cyclone attachment for my regular shop vac.
What is a cyclone? It’s the funnel shaped thingamabob on top of that plastic bucket. The shop vac is connected to the top of the cyclone and the suction hose comes off the side so when the air sucks the “crap” into the cyclone, most of the really small particles drop down into the bucket and the large chunks go into the shop vac.
It’s like a little tornado that separates the fine dust from the large pieces of debris so your filter doesn’t get all clogged up with sawdust or drywall dust making your shop vac lose it’s suction power. (It is SOO annoying when you’re trying to clean up and your vacuum won’t suck! Right?)
So the cyclone keeps most of the fine filter clogging dust out of the shop vac. I’ve emptied the cyclone tub a couple times already and this is all the debris that has made it into the shop vac…and the filter still looks pretty clean. Nice!
The idea of attaching it to the shop vac with bungie cords was actually in the manual that came with the cyclone. They also had plans for platforms with casters but I didn’t want to waste any time on that. This looks ridiculous but it works.
I also bought a couple extension tubes for the vacuum so I don’t have to bend over and hurt my back while cleaning up.
I bought my cyclone from Amazon. Rockler has a cyclone too but the Dust Deputy was cheaper on Amazon when I purchased it so that’s what I bought.
It has been a great help in keeping my shop and project areas cleaner.
Hillary says
Brilliant! I think I’ll ask for one for Mother’s Day.
Karen says
I have never heard of a cyclone before. Thanks for the review. Also I just wanted to thank you for blogging about spax screws. I bought some (which are very hard to find in Canada) at Lee Valley. Quite pricey, but truly amazing! If any Canadians out there know of a cheaper place, please let me know. Thanks again Sandra!
Sandra says
Glad you found some Karen. I’m not sure how they compare price-wise with shipping, but you can get SPAX online at Amazon and McFeely’s.
Condo Blues says
I’m looking at dust collection systems for my workshop. Which tools do you use your system with or do you use it after the fact?
Sandra says
I mainly use it to clean up afterwards but I do hook it up to my router table. My table saw and miter saw are not set up for dust collection…yet.
Marsha Rowland says
Wow!! This is GREAT!! I’ve never heard of this before…sure wish I had known about it when we were building all the time!! I’ll definitely look into getting one of these when we get back into building!! Thanks, Sandra!
My Boys' Teacher says
Ha! I was certain from your blog title that I was going to see your “dust collection” decoratively displayed in hurricane vases as part of your “spring mantlescape” or something. I like your version better 🙂
Sandra says
LOL That is hilarious!
Kim (The Money Pit) says
How many HP is your shop vac? I bought a cheap-o one the year we had water in the basement and I don’t think it sucks. Well, it DOES suck, but not the good way! 😀 I am wondering if I have a constant clogging problem or if I should just upgrade to a heavier-duty one. I suck up a ALOT of drywall dust, so I am constantly shaking out the filter.
Thanks!
Sandra says
My shop vac is a 6.5 HP Craftsman. I’ve had it for about 5 years I think and it’s got GOOD suction. (As long as it has a clear filter.)
Mary says
I hadn’t ever heard of this before but it would be a great addition to my hubby’s new workshop. I could get him one for Father’s Day, and then we’d have one for quicker cleanup whenever I feel like commandeering his tools! Awesome!
Julia Andersen says
So I am happily married, and so this a compliment strictly from one blogging chick to another….. Hot BABE! Check you out!
Laura @cookiecrumbsandsawdust.blogspot says
Sandra,
Good to know! We have three shop vacs -one in the basement, one in the garage, and a smaller portable one that moves around the house for little jobs. I’m excited to look into the cyclone.
Thanks for sharing,
Laura
John says
I have many good reviews about the Dust Deputy. Next purchase I’m planning.
I you go to this link there is a design for the shopvac and the dust deputy on a nice cart
http://www.woodsmithshop.com/episodes/season6/609/
Thanks for the review,
John
John says
Man I can type today. I have seen many good review of the Dust Deputy.
Sandra says
Yeah, I need to build a platform for them both because this setup is a pain. For one, I have to bend over to pull the shop vac with or without the Dust Deputy and my back can’t take that.
Marquis Ao says
Once a month, remove hair from drains using either a Drain Weasel or a bent wire hanger.