Double-Duty Dust Collector
This portable homemade box catches dust and provides power to job-site tools.
Carpentry is a dusty business. To make matters worse, many projects are done in occupied homes. So whether we carpenters set up in a client’s garage or on the front porch, or we create a “clean room” somewhere in the house, we have to be as conscientious and proactive as possible when it comes to dust.
There’s no question that capturing dust at the source safeguards the health of the workers, allows tools to run more efficiently, reduces cleanup time at the end of a job, and impresses the client. But switching a vacuum hose from one tool to another is about as efficient a solution as having just one extension cord for six separate tools. That constant need both to power our tools and to control the dust they create inspired this homemade vac box.
A combination of a cyclonic dust separator and electrical receptacles housed in a plywood box, this device has become the central hub for my company’s on-site workspace. We don’t waste time switching out power cords or vacuum hoses each time we want to use a different machine, and the cyclone separates most of the dust and debris before it reaches the vaccum, which extends the life of vacuum bags and filters and ensures that we never lose suction. And because finish carpentry demands a fine point for accurate marking, we’ve added what has turned out to be a crew favorite: a built-in electric pencil sharpener.
When connected to a powerful tool-actuated dust collector (we like the Festool CT 26), we now have constant power, automatic dust collection, and sharp pencils. What more could a carpenter want?
Andrew Young is co-owner of Young & Son Woodworks in Portland, Ore.
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View Comments
This is a great idea. I really like the practical jobsite central dust collection. The multiple tool-actuated outlets is a nice feature. However, 8 outlets seems like overkill. Especially considering you only have 3 vacuum ports. Why not 4 tool-actuated and 4 direct power? That way you have some centralized power without the vacuum turning on. It would also give you the ability to run the vacuum/tools and the second box off different circuits. Unfortunately, I can't see an easy way to accomplish this without two power cords from the box. Would two cord wraps screwed to plywood on opposing sides from handles make it too bulky? What do you currently do with the cord when it's not in use? Also, was there any reason for not installing casters on the bottom?
What do you do with the 2" cap when using a tool? How about a cord to make them captive or another fitting to park them on?
I think those additional outlets are a good idea for tools or radio which need no dust control.