Shop-vac for dust collection - air reduction

[rellzey]

I've hooked up my 16 gallon shop vac to use as a dust collector. I had to reduce the 2" hose down to a 3/4" plastic tubing to secure it to my router. I know that my shop vac depends on the airflow for keeping the motor cool, so I'm concerned that extended usage may cause the motor to overheat. Does any one use a similar setup and how does the shop vacs handle long term usage?

[dataway]

I would recommend an Oneida dust deputy as I went through three shop vacs before learning my lesson . Just google it, I purchased mine from Amazon...

[Woodworker]

Here's another option. I have the full sized one of these and it's a great company and product.

http://www.clearvuecyclones.com/10-cv06-mini

[DanMc]

If you're concerned about overheating you could put a Y on the vac, preferably with some sort of valve so you could control the amount of vacuum in your 3/4" hose.

[SamM]

Anyone play with one of these? Saw it at the local store last night, looks pretty impressive for $20. Now, to figure out a way to rig a cyclone in a single bucket.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_49940-20097-600 ... 385&rpp=32

[dataway]

Don't think it is an issue on heat but more of the fine dust clogging the filter and into the motor that ultimately led to the demise of my shop vacs with the Dust Deputy no dust ever gets past it even the finest particles...

[Schruminator]

Anyone play with one of these? Saw it at the local store last night, looks pretty impressive for $20. Now, to figure out a way to rig a cyclone in a single bucket.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_49940-20097-600 ... 385&rpp=32

That's the vacuum I am currently using and it works pretty well. It is loud as heck, but if you can deal with that, then it should do the trick. I made a muffler to connect to the exhaust and that seemed to trim down the noise quite a bit (at least to the point where I don't feel like I need hearing protectors on in my small shop.

[WillAdams]

at least to the point where I don't feel like I need hearing protectors on in my small shop.

Please wear hearing protection anyway. I feel really badly that I didn't urge Inventables to include a pair of foam hearing protectors w/ the full kits, and I'd feel even worse if anyone suffered even slight hearing loss from using the machine. It's cumulative and a hearing aid is something to be avoided.

[rellzey]

Everyone, thanks for the info, I do use a two-stage bucket collection with my shop-vac. I built a roll-around cart for the shop-vac and the bucket, with a middle board for hanging the power cord and vacuum hose. This way I can move it around to clean my shop. The bucket saves on the dust bags by collecting the large particles. I'll have to try putting a muffler on the output of the shop-vac. I also agree with WillAdams on the use of hearing protection, I am deaf in my right ear and have lost substantial hearing in my left ear within the last few years due to an inner-ear disease. I still wear my hearing protection over both ears when I'm using these machines with my cnc machine. Believe me, hearing loss is no fun at all, You don't appreciate it until it happens.

[Dhpenner1]

The motor will have to work harder with the reducer, but it will still be spinning at the same speed so cooling shouldn't be an issue.