Shopsmith Forums

A long while back I was introduced to these dust collectors by someone here at the forum. I purchased one and I think it was $99 for the kit. I have loved it!

I've also got to love the Menard stores. They have the same kit on sale now for just $79 or the DYI cyclone for $39.

I've been thinking of getting a second one for my other shop vac so since I was in the store for a few other things I picked up the DIY version.

These are really a must have in the shop and for $39 and some minor labor it is great deal. You will need some other "stuff" but it is possible you already have it in your home or shop.

I will show you just how easy this is in this post. The DIY kit is of course required to get started.
You will also need a bucket or other container, in my case I went with an old #40 bird seed container with lid. You can make your own lid but it will have to be air tight so keep that in mind. Containers can be bigger or smaller depending on your needs.
The lid will need a 3" hole cut in it. This is how I did mine.
I'm really liking the powerpro for a drill press, so nice to dial down the speed for this type of cut. Yes the speed reducer works but then you have to add it and take it off etc etc.

A hole saw or other method of drill is fast but one could cut it with say a jig saw or by drilling a bunch of holes on the circumference or any number of other creative ways.

You also need to drill the mounting holes. I used a marker to mark the location of the holes.
These markers with the thin long tip are great for this sort of thing.
Then it is just a matter of drilling the 6 holes.
At this point you are ready for assembly. I went with some 5/16" hardware, the bolts are 5/8" long which is perfect, you might not find them in a hardware store but longer is not going to hurt anything. The sealant I used is what I had on hand. You need to make it air tight so use what you see fit. The other one I got as a kit came with a gasket but it takes longer to make a gasket then just squeezing on some gooey stuff.
The thing needs to set for a while and dry before I start it up.

So that about does it for this post. If you have questions or comments feel free to leave them.

Ed

Nice Ed thanks, never seen one of those markers, where did you get it? Always been looking for some thing that long and thin.

ERLover wrote:Nice Ed thanks, never seen one of those markers, where did you get it? Always been looking for some thing that long and thin.

Menard's. They are also other places but I got mine when they had there famous 11% sale. I forget the cost, but not cheap. It also has a wide marker on the other end.

Ed

Do you remember which department? I take it the DD is not set up for 4" hose.

ERLover wrote:Do you remember which department? I take it the DD is not set up for 4" hose.

In my home store they are to the right of the dowels and before you get to the Kreg jig stuff. They hang in their packaging and the name is Long Nose Pattern Marker by FastCap.

The unit for $39 is for 2" stuff. I think the company, Oneida has bigger systems but I'm sure the cost will go up. For my 4" system I have a metal trash can with cyclone lid that I got I think at woodcrafters. It works OK but not like this sort of system.

Ed

Well it is getting a work out today. Over 50 degrees here in the Chicago land area and I'm woodworking.

I need to fix the inlet with a different fixture but other then that it is working fine. If you have never seen it in action then take a look here:

https://youtu.be/hq-z_qm-m8U

Still have about a half hour of work and then clean up and putting things away so the cyclone has a busy day left.

Ed

I think I have a pretty good solution for mating the vacuum hose to the dust deputy. I was in the hardware store and found this coupling that is titled 2" NO-HUB coupling for $3.59. The hardware guy said that it was used for metal pipe(cast iron) to metal pipe(cast iron) applications. Since the outside diameter of metal pipe is pretty close to vacuum hose size (I do mean really close) this will work were as PVC pipe is a different animal size wise.

I only got one to try and so far it is working really well. Unless I find some down side tonight I will pick up a few more of these for other applications that have been messing with me.
Ed