$11 DIY Dust Deputy (Dust Cyclone)

[monkey123]

As I build my shapeoko I thought I'd share with everyone my dust collection system. My plan was to get a shop vac and a Oneida Dust Deputy cyclone to keep the chips out of the vacuum filter. Ultimately I decided the Dust Deputy was out of my budget ($50 after shipping), and difficult to install, needing to drill a large hole and several smaller ones in a bucket lid. The other option was the $90 solution that included a bucket. So I built my own. Instead of spending the $90, I spent $11. Cost does not include the vacuum or hoses, just the bucket system.

Materials:
5 gallon bucket ($2.78 - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Homer-Bucket ... lnIQVDj3kw)
Leaktite bucket lid ($6.97 - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leaktite-5-G ... lnIYFDj3kw)
1 1/4" right angle PVC elbow ($0.98 - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Mueller-Stre ... lnIkVDj3kw)
Some hot glue

The leaktite lid is important, as the system has to be airtight to maintain suction. First, snap the leaktite lid adapter onto the bucket. It takes a bit of force:

Step 1

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Next, drill two holes on opposite sides of the bucket lid. One to fit the PVC elbow and another to fit the part that will go to the vacuum. I used a 1 1/4" diameter extender that came with the shop vac so I didn't have to glue the vacuum's original hose to the lid. I didn't have access to hole saws, so I drilled the largest hole I could and used a box knife to cut away the rest. It doesn't have to be exact because the glue will fill gaps, but the closer the better.

Place the vacuum extension (or hose) into the hole a couple inches and hot glue in place on both sides. Make sure to get a good seal with the glue. Do the same for the PVC elbow, making sure it is turned 90 degrees off the center of the bucket.

Step 2

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Now place a 1 1/4" diameter extension hose into the PVC elbow (which will run to the shapeoko or CNC) and hot glue it into the elbow. Again, get a good seal. I also used some superglue around the rim of the hose before pushing it into the pipe. Plug your vacuum hose into the extension inlet and you're ready to go! So far I've vacuumed up tons of metal chips and other junk around the shop and am pleased to find that it's staying in the bucket.

Step 3

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Here's the extension hose I bought: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YL ... UTF8&psc=1

And the vacuum: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ST ... UTF8&psc=1

So far I like the vacuum. 3HP and it seems to be a bit quieter than most shop vacs. Plenty of suction for the dust cyclone and I recommend it at under $50. In total, the cost was about $75 for the dust cyclone system, hoses and the vacuum itself.

[cvoinescu]

Very nice!

My only objection is that the outlet should have been in the center, not on the opposite side of the inlet. That's how all cyclones I've seen are made: in along the rim, out in the center.

[monkey123]

Very nice!

My only objection is that the outlet should have been in the center, not on the opposite side of the inlet. That's how all cyclones I've seen are made: in along the rim, out in the center.

Works great though. So maybe these things aren't as picky as they seem??

[NormanF]

I think because of the volume of the bucket the outlet is fine where it is. The chips come in one tube and are aimed straight down and should just fall to the bottom. The other tube would act like you are holding a shop vac over a foot away from the scrap and won't suck anything up except something that bounced. I have seen miniature versions of this used to collect ants and was going to use something similar if I ever get to machining wax.

Sent from my Etch A Sketch. now Free

[twforeman]

Rockler sells a set of elbows to make a larger version of this separator. I use it on my woodworking tools.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page ... te=ROCKLER

[calica]

Using the leaktite lid is a really good idea. Will provide a much more stable attachment point than the standard lids.

[B2Pi]

I use one of these in my shop (backed up by an old Penn State collector that I picked up for not much). It goes on top of a steel garbage can.



It works an absolute treat. I've not cleaned out my separator bag in 2 or 3 years. Full info is here: http://www.jpthien.com/cy.htm

Caveat: I don't run the table saw, band saw, jointer, planer, etc at the same time.