Mike M Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 My shop vac seems to function by moving the dust and shavings from the floor to the filter. By the time I've cleaned up m shop, the filter is totally packed to the point where the suction is reduced significantly. It is a PITA to have to clean the filter each time I use the vac. The vac is a Rigid 6 hp model, but I have the same problem with a couple of other similar models. I've thought of adding a cyclone to separate the dust from the air, but that adds up to a cumbersome setup that doesn't move around the shop too easily. The idea of a bag tends to get expensive since I do a lot of wood turning and would fill the bag quickly. Any other suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 Some quick thoughts off the top of my head - just listing alternatives: A Thien separator, which is kinda like a cyclone but more compact. You might be able to work up a rolling cart which has a bin on the bottom, then a Thien separator, and then your shop vac on top. If you want something less complicated than a Thien, you could just have a trash can with in and out host connections. The dust and chips come in one port, and most stay in the can. Google for "trash can separator". Or, you can buy an inexpensive 1 HP portable dust collector and use it like a shop vac with a short length of 4" flex hose. It won't have as good suction as a shop vac, and the bag will not catch as much fine dust as a good shop vac filter, but it won't clog before the bag is full, because the filter is the bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 Get the Cleanstream GORE filter. You can clean it with a water hose. We use a bunch of them. You need at least two, so you will have one to use while the other one is drying. They last for years with daily use. We have two of those Rigid vacuums that get almost daily use. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrust Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 The Dust Deputy http://www.oneida-air.com/inventoryD.asp?item_no=AXD000004&CatId={6EE79B16-EB63-43E7-8F30-1E06240A24A4} Marc reviewed it here. I'm sure the video is still around on this site. Attached to the shop vac, it rolls around with it. I have been using one for a few months now, and it is remarkable how little dust gets to the filter. I've emptied the 5 gallon bucket at least 10 times, and the filter still only has a thin coat of dust on it. Suction does not decrease at all (well, if you could measure tiny minute amounts of difference it would show up, but nothing of the slightest consequence). I Should have bought one years ago. An absolutely phenomenol device. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 There is no way around those two things. You need either a) a bag to keep the dust off the filter or a separator to separate the dust from the air eliminating it entering the shop vac. Whether that be a homemade trash can or something bought like the Oneida, the Thein, or the Rockler Unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 Go with the dust deputy. It is well worth the extra "bulkiness". I have had mine connected to my ridgid shop vac over two years, and still have nothing but a few planer shavings in the the canister of the shop vac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombarde16 Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 +1 Dust Deputy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySats Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 Just a side note on how to keep that filter clean and make it super easy to clean it. Get yourself a womens nylons knee high and pull it over the filter . Works great at keeping the pleats of the filter from fulling up with crap . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJsumthn Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 I keep a dust bag on my shop vac but I avoid picking up large shavings with it. I use a broom and dustpan (the janitor kind with the long handle so you don't have to bend over so much) to pick up most of it then get the last little bit with the vac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdgewaterWW Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 I keep a dust bag on my shop vac but I avoid picking up large shavings with it. I use a broom and dustpan (the janitor kind with the long handle so you don't have to bend over so much) to pick up most of it then get the last little bit with the vac. +1 Same with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 Another endorsement for the Dust Deputy here. It does make for a bulky package, but filter clogging is a thing of the past. I clean mine only after filling the bucket 10 or 15 times & even then it's only got trace amounts of dust in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markpelly Posted April 14, 2014 Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 The Dust Deputy http://www.oneida-air.com/inventoryD.asp?item_no=AXD000004&CatId={6EE79B16-EB63-43E7-8F30-1E06240A24A4} Marc reviewed it here. I'm sure the video is still around on this site. Attached to the shop vac, it rolls around with it. I have been using one for a few months now, and it is remarkable how little dust gets to the filter. I've emptied the 5 gallon bucket at least 10 times, and the filter still only has a thin coat of dust on it. Suction does not decrease at all (well, if you could measure tiny minute amounts of difference it would show up, but nothing of the slightest consequence). I Should have bought one years ago. An absolutely phenomenol device. That link goes to the deluxe version, does that shop vac and 5 gal bucket come with the Dust Deputy for the 99 dollars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el capitán Posted April 14, 2014 Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 That link goes to the deluxe version, does that shop vac and 5 gal bucket come with the Dust Deputy for the 99 dollars? It comes with the hose, lid, and two buckets for $99. Here is a link to just the cyclone. http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2021015/26326/Oneida-DIY-Molded-Dust-Deputy-Cyclone.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mds2 Posted April 14, 2014 Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 Throwing in another recommendation for the Dust Deputy. I've had one on my shop vac for 2 years. Easily makes the vac work 3 times better than without the DD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 Dust Deputy here as well. I built a small cart and mounted both the DD and vac to w/ casters from Rockler and it moves around my shop better than the vac did on it's own casters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted April 18, 2014 Report Share Posted April 18, 2014 On my shopvac the wife's old nylons work great, even on drywall dust. On the Festool dust collector i have the Dust Deputy. Another happy DD user. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markpelly Posted April 18, 2014 Report Share Posted April 18, 2014 On my shopvac the wife's old nylons work great, even on drywall dust. On the Festool dust collector i have the Dust Deputy. Another happy DD user. Do you put the nylon over the filter itself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted April 18, 2014 Report Share Posted April 18, 2014 Do you put the nylon over the filter itself? I hope he says yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySats Posted April 18, 2014 Report Share Posted April 18, 2014 Do you put the nylon over the filter itself? Yes , stretch it over the filter . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher74 Posted April 19, 2014 Report Share Posted April 19, 2014 You might check with Eric or Freddie they might have some extra fishnets you could have. Might help with the big stuff. I also have a Dust Deputy and it works great. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC1501 Posted April 20, 2014 Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 I really like my shop vac setup. I built something similar to this. http://www.woodsmithshop.com/download/609/shop-vacuum.pdf I have the so called Hepa filter on the vac, with a drywall dust bag in it as well. This is all hooked up to a dust deputy on a 10 gallon bucket. Its the only dust collection I have and it does well. Easily clears my 6" jointer and 12" planer. I am sure it is not getting all the fines though. There is barely anything in the bag after 7 months. I find it very manageable to move around and it has storage for all those shop vac accessories. I wired my mine up with power so I could put one of those automatic on/off switches on it. Plug the tool and vacuum into the cart and you are ready to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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