FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Blown-in Insulation removal Idea !!

MisterT | Posted in Tools for Home Building on January 13, 2004 02:49am

I was sitting on the “thinking chair” when I came up with a “good” idea.

But I need some feedback from the well of knowledge that is Breaktime.

?:  Do those Cyclone lids for trash barrels work?

Here is my idea: take a Large trash can and line with a contractors garbage bag.

To keep bag from collapseing take a 1-size-smaller plastic can, cut out the bottom and put inside the contractor bag which is inside te bigger can.

Then put a cyclone lid on top and hook up to a shop vac.

Insulation gets deposited in the can, and when it is time to empty you can pull the bottomless can out and have a bag full of insulation ready for disposal!!

If the cyclone lids wont separate the insul. well enough how about a real cyclone seperator on top??

Ok guys let’er rip, let me know what you think.

Any pointers or political advice  [;)]is welcome!!

Mr T

Do not try this at home!

I am an Experienced Professional!

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. reinvent | Jan 13, 2004 05:18pm | #1

    I think your idea would work. Although the insulation is light i suspect its heavy enough that most would fall in the bag. Although I havent used the cyclone lid you speak of I think they seperate all but the finest dust. BTW get some of those extra large zip ties and secure the bags to the trash can that way.

  2. mikeys | Jan 13, 2004 05:26pm | #2

    I tried your idea once. Bought a plastic can with lid, cut two holes in lid, fed one hose from vac to can, one hose from can to insulation. Oddly it worked great for one can full. Then the vac sucked in the sides of the plastic can (should have used metal can). Next it seemed to work but I found the insulation didn't settle into the can and blew right through to the vac. I think it's a good idea. I just wasn't doing enough removal to justify tweaking my set up. I like your double can with trash bag idea.

    Smile. It could be worse. You could be me working for you.

    1. reinvent | Jan 13, 2004 05:48pm | #4

      The cyclone lids that Mr T talks abought are specificly engeneered to create a vortex inside the can that will seperate out the heaveir debris. Your home grown version didnt have that benifit(no offense)

  3. 1110d | Jan 13, 2004 05:40pm | #3

    If the job is large enough this would actually be feasible.  Have you ever seen one of those vactron units?  These are oversized vacuums which are truck or trailer mounted.  They use a oversized supercharger to produce a pretty strong vacuum.  You can use that crummy corrugated black plastic drain pipe to extend the hose.  I'd still use a flexible hose at the end so it's more user friendly.  This thing will suck blown insulation all day.  Then you can take the full tank over to the local landfill and tip it.  It couldn't be any easier!

  4. DaveRicheson | Jan 13, 2004 05:58pm | #5

    Should  work. I have used mikeys' idea using a 55 gallon drum and a vac truck to lift sludge out of the bottom of hydrolic lifts pits. I have also used a 5 gal. bucket and shop vac to clean out commercial gease traps. Both times it kept the nasties out of the vacums.

    To refine your idea. Us a small can with a slide in bottom mounted on top of a large can with an appropriate size donut ring for the botton of the small can. But the trash bag in the large can. Suction into the unlined small can and harvest into the bag by sliding out the bottom of the small can. You don't have to wrestle with the can in a can and insulation.

    If you patent this, do I get a cut?

    Dave

  5. User avater
    BillHartmann | Jan 13, 2004 08:29pm | #6

    Too little, too late.

    There was a thread about 1-2 years ago where someone did exactly that if I remember the details.

    On Hometime last year they did an atic with the HO doing a lot of the work. He used a leaf blower/vac which had a "bonnit" that fit over the garage can. The advantage to that is the can is always positive pressure so there is no problem with having a bad in it.

    The big disadvantage is the that the exhaust air was still in the attic so you had to deal with the fine dust.

    1. MajorWool | Jan 21, 2004 01:20pm | #9

      Amazing. Just reading this topic made my back hurt again. I removed around 1000 lbs of loose rockwool and roofing debris (think 30-40 of those 42 gallon contractor bags) from my attic using a jet DC650 connected by a 10ft piece of 4" pipe to a 32 gallon trash lid seperator that in turn was fed by another 10 ft section of 4" and one or two 7 ft sections of shop vac hose and various wands. After awhile I replaced the lower bag with a contractor bag, and had to change it about every 5 trash cans of debris. The nails and large stuff were collected in the can. For the fine dust I ran an AFS 1000 and wore a Wilson HEPA mask. When water is dripping from the exhale port on the mask, you've been in the attic too long. Afterwards I steam vac'd the carpets to get the remainder. I'd estimate that at most 4-8 oz of that 1000 lbs wasn't collected by either system. The outer filter of the AFS was particularly nasty. That was one job I was glad I did and equally glad I'll never have to do again, at least in this house.

      1. ponytl | Jan 21, 2004 07:02pm | #10

        there is a guy on ebay that sells a deal thats a 3" stainless steal pipe with an air fitting (big compressor jackhammer size) that uses the compressed air to create the vac... you can attach a hose to this and let it flow to whatever... he says you can clean footings (water & mud) ect with this deal... I've seen a like unit used to remove balast rock from a flat roof... it removed it to a pile and replaced it back on the roof...

        if this deal would work... i'd build a wire or plywood cage on a 16' trailer and filler er up...  the commerical insulation removers (blowers)i've seen look like parking lot blowers with a hose on em... i know you can put a hose on the front of my billygoat

        pony

  6. csnow | Jan 15, 2004 12:18am | #7

    I have used a 5 gallon pail with water in it.  Got the idea from those kits sold for drywall sanding, but I set it up for bigger hoses.  Pipes go through cover. Intake pipe goes underwater near bottom, outlet feeds from top.  Heavier than dry removal, but it works to keep the shop-vac filter clear, and the dust to a minimum.  You can line up a row of pails, and just move the cover when they are full.

    I pour the waste water through a mesh bag, like the kind lawnseed comes in, then dispose of the solids.

    For smaller dusty projects, I use a Rainbow Vacuum, which can be had for cheap on the used market.  Rainbow uses the same 'water filter' concept.

  7. mikeys | Jan 21, 2004 08:06am | #8

    Another way to remove it is to have a company that blows it in suck it out. I saw this done on a fire restoration job 20 years ago.

    Smile. It could be worse. You could be me working for you.

  8. User avater
    tkiser | Jan 22, 2004 02:51am | #11

    I bought a 1200cfm Delta dust collector.  It worked great!  I used heavy duty plastic bags on the bottom left the factory bag on the top.  When I was finished I took it to my woodshop.

    Tim Kiser

  9. splinter26 | Jan 22, 2004 06:34am | #12

    I've used a leaf blower/vac (Toro) and replaced the vac bag with a length of flex dryer vent ductaped on instead. This works well if you just want to relocate it in the same attic. Very dusty but effective.

    P.S. Always make sure to wear a mask.

    This would of course be the "conservative " thing to do. ;-)



    Edited 1/21/2004 10:38:11 PM ET by splinter

    1. darrel | Jan 22, 2004 07:09am | #13

      I just spent a few hours this past week cleaning out the floor-stripping sludge sucked up in the shop vac. The double-bucket idea is brilliantly simple. Why didn't I think of that? Next time... ;o)

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Ranch Redux

An architect and a handy homeowner team up for an exterior upgrade with energy efficiency, comfort, and durability as part of the plan.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Tools and Gear for the Moms Who Get it Done
  • An Easier Method for Mitered Head Casings
  • Beat the Heat: Cool Innovations
  • A Practical Approach to Exterior Insulation

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 81%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data