Pre separator designs

6/6/20, 3:13 PM #1

Paul Woolson
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Pre separator designs

Paul Woolson

Hi all. Does anyone use one of those little cyclones as a pre-separator to their shopvac? If so, any designs of a little rack to hold them together? I’ve seen some on social media but don’t know what to search for.

Thanks! Paul

Re: Pre separator designs

6/6/20, 3:51 PM #2

TJD Edmonton
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Re: Pre separator designs

TJD Edmonton

I have the Dust Deputy by Oneida. I love it. I still have the bag in my shop vac that was in it when I purchased the cyclone 6 years ago. There is still very little dust in it. I got mine from Lee Valley. I did have to add a reinforcing piece of 1/2" plywood to the lid a little while ago because the weight of the hoses was bending it over. It hooks up to my sander, routers and router table without filling up the bag in the shop vac. It is very easy to empty as well. You lift off the lid, slide out the pail and dump it. An excellent investment.

Re: Pre separator designs

6/6/20, 8:47 PM #3

William Duffield
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Re: No Little Rack Needed

William Duffield

I like the Oneida AXD000009 Dust Deputy that is designed to sit on top of and connect to the Festool CleanTec vacs. In addition, they provide hepafilter air cleaning.

Re: Pre separator designs

6/7/20, 2:42 AM #4

AZ
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Re: Pre separator designs

AZ in Colorado Springs

I use a vortex can from rockler. It doesn't have the same cyclone shape, but it's about an eight gallon bucket with a couple of 90° hose connectors in the lid. Works just as well as the other, but it's free standing so you don't need to mount it on your shop vac.

Re: Pre separator designs

6/7/20, 12:12 PM #5

Barry Irby
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Re: Pre separator designs

Barry Irby

I have been looking at these for years on YouTube but have not bought one based on the idea I don't have room. (Tiny shop) I think if you start poking at YouTube you will get an endless list.

There was a thought rattling around in my mind that I could not quite bring to the forefront. The question was, why are these two separate things? Why doesn't somebody combine them into a single unit? A powerful vac with a cyclone and a very small but excellent tub and HEPA filters?

Frank Howarth has a video where he did that. He cannibalized a shopvac and made a single unit.

Re: Pre separator designs

6/7/20, 7:12 PM #6

Howard in Toronto
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Re: Pre separator designs

Howard in Toronto

If you're inclined to build one, J. Paul Thien has detailed, free plans and a knowledgeable forum community.

Howard Rosenberg

Re: Pre separator designs

6/12/20, 11:28 PM #7

Keith Mealy
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Re: Pre separator designs

Keith Mealy

I had a Rockler vortex and it worked OK until the top cracked with my Ridgid vac. I replaced the top with a Thien-inspired separator. Then I made a similar one for my 30 gal garbage can ahead of a 3hp dust collector.

Re: Pre separator designs

6/13/20, 8:51 PM #8

Kneale Brownson
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Re: Good thought

kneale brownson

My Dust Deputy has wheels under the bucket. I bungie cord it to my shopvac so they'll roll around together. I really should build a cart both ride on.

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Pre separator designs

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